Which MIME types are related to file extension ".pst"?
The .pst file extension is associated with 2 MIME types:
application/vnd.ms-outlook-pst, application/vnd.ms-outlook.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .pst Files
PST files are proprietary data files for Microsoft Outlook.
They store emails, calendar events, contacts, tasks, and notes. They work as personal data containers on your computer.
They use the MIME types application/vnd.ms-outlook-pst (for the modern Unicode format) and application/vnd.ms-outlook (for the older ANSI version used from 1997 to 2002).
- Email Storage: They archive and organize emails locally.
- Calendar & Contacts: They hold appointment data and contact information.
- Data Backup: They act as a backup for Outlook data and enable offline access.
- Legacy Support: They include a version from older Outlook releases.
They are mainly used in Microsoft Outlook. Other compatible email tools and backup utilities can also open or convert PST files.
Based on information from FilExt.com, PST files are essential for managing and archiving your personal Outlook data.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
application/vnd.ms-outlook-pst, application/vnd.ms-outlook
FAQs
How do I open a .pst file without Microsoft Outlook?
You cannot natively open a .pst file in Windows without Outlook, but you can use third-party viewers. Free tools like Kernel Outlook PST Viewer or SysTools PST Viewer allow you to read emails, calendars, and contacts contained in the file without purchasing an Outlook license.
How do I import a PST file into Outlook?
To import data, open Outlook and navigate to File > Open & Export > Import/Export. Select Import from another program or file, choose Outlook Data File (.pst), and browse to your file location to merge its contents with your current mailbox.
What is the difference between .pst and .ost files?
A .pst (Personal Storage Table) file stores copies of your messages, calendar, and contacts locally on your computer, often used for archives or POP3 accounts. An .ost (Offline Storage Table) file acts as a synchronized cache of your Exchange or IMAP server data and cannot be opened individually without the associated email account.
Can I use a PST file on a Mac?
Yes, Outlook for Mac can import .pst files created in Windows versions of Outlook. However, Outlook for Mac uses the .olm format for its own data storage, so the PST file is used only for importing data rather than as a permanent active data file.
Is there a size limit for PST files?
Yes, older ANSI .pst files (Outlook 2002 and earlier) have a hard limit of 2 GB. Modern Unicode .pst files (Outlook 2010 and later) have a default limit of 50 GB, though this can be increased by modifying the Windows Registry.
What MIME type should be used for PST files?
The specific MIME type for modern Unicode PST files is application/vnd.ms-outlook-pst. Legacy versions may use application/vnd.ms-outlook. For comprehensive lists of email-related types, you can consult mime-type.com.
How can I convert a PST file to PDF or other formats?
Microsoft Outlook does not have a built-in feature to batch convert emails to PDF. To convert a .pst archive to PDF, MBOX, or HTML, you generally need specialized conversion software such as Adobe Acrobat (using the Outlook plugin) or dedicated tools like Stellar Converter for Outlook.
General FAQ
What is a MIME type?
A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.
MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.
MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.
How do I find the MIME type for a file?
You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.
Why can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.