How to Restore Outlook Contacts from Backup PST File?

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: February 13th, 2024 • 5 Min Read

Restore Outlook contacts from backup is a completely straightforward process that involves accessing your backup (PST) files and importing the contacts back into Outlook desktop client.

Sometimes users prefer to backup Outlook contacts to an external hard drive or internal hard drive in PST format. They choose PST as their preferred format because PST contains emails, contacts, calendars, and all items.

Hence, if you have Outlook backup in PST (Personal Storage Table) format then you can easily restore Outlook contacts from PST file. Let’s continue to read this blog post and learn more about recovering Outlook contacts from backup.

Necessities to Restore Outlook Contacts from PST File

Learn various unavoidable situations to restore Outlook contacts from backup:

Sometimes you may accidentally delete Outlook contacts and look for a reliable way to restore Outlook contacts from backup. This process allows users to retrieve valuable contact information that may have been compromised or lost.

When a user purchases a new computer and configures a new email address in Outlook. But he also wants to access old contacts available in PST format. Then he prefers to restore Outlook contacts from PST files.

System failure or crash is another crucial reason for recovering Outlook contacts from backup. As after system failure users may lose their essential contacts and want to get them back from backup.

Sometimes users want to use Outlook contacts with different electronic devices and email services that don’t support PST extension. So, after restoring Outlook contacts from backup, they can export Outlook contacts to vCard and CSV standard formats.

How to Restore Outlook Contacts from Backup Manually?

  1. Start Microsoft Outlook and choose File.
  2. Select Open & Export and then choose Import/Export.
    Open and Export
  3. Next, choose Import from another program or file.
    Import from another program or file
  4. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and tap the Next button.
    Outlook Data File (.pst)
  5. Click the Browse button and pick the PST backup file.
    Browse and select PST file
  6. Enable the Do not import duplicates option and hit Next.
  7. Check import items into same folder and select email account.
    Restore Outlook contacts from backup
  8. Tap Finish to start restoring Outlook contacts from backup.

Read Similar: Three Best Methods to Convert PST Contacts to VCF

What To Do If Backup File Got Corrupted?

If your backup file got corrupted then the manual method will not work so in this situation, BitRecover PST Repair Wizard is highly recommended. This software generates a healthy PST file from corrupted PST, then you can use the resultant PST to restore Outlook contacts.

This utility comes with a free trial edition which is capable of converting corrupted PST into healthy PST format with 25 items per folder. Hence, you can test it now free of cost.

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How to Restore Outlook Contacts from .pst File?

  1. Download and run the recommended tool and add a corrupted PST file.
    2 ways for adding PST file
  2. Select all folders in the software panel and tap the Next button.
    Select all folders
  3. Then, select the saving option as PST from multiple choices.
    Saving option as PST
  4. Enable advance settings if required and set the destination path.
    Restore Outlook contacts from PST file
  5. Press Repair to start creating a healthy PST file.
    Creating a healthy PST file
  6. After finishing, it opens the destination path to get the resultant PST.
    Confirmation
  7. Lastly, import the PST file in Outlook to restore contacts.
    Recover Outlook contacts from PST file

Read Next: Learn Tips to Import Outlook Contacts to Zoom

Let’s Discuss Questions

Q 1: How to restore contacts from Outlook backup file?

MS Outlook comes with an inbuilt Import/Export Wizard which can restore Outlook contacts from .pst file. You can utilize this inbuilt wizard by selecting Import from another program or file option.

Q 2: How can I create a backup file to restore Outlook contacts?

Follow these instructions for creating a backup file:

  1. Launch the MS Outlook client and select File.
  2. Then, choose Open & Export >> Import/Export.
  3. Next, select Export to a file option.
  4. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and tap Next.
  5. Next, select required folders to contain them in backup file.
  6. Tap Browse and set a destination folder to store backup file.
  7. Click Finish to create backup file to recover Outlook contacts.

Note: You can also use BitRecover Outlook.com Backup Wizard for creating a backup file in various standard formats for online Outlook.

Que 3: Are Outlook contacts stored in the PST file?

Yes, the PST file contains contacts including entire information, it also stores emails, calendars, tasks, notes, and other items. However, you can also export Outlook contacts to CSV format if required.

Closing Statement

Above we have discussed the best proven manual method to restore Outlook contacts from backup having a .pst extension. Anyone can follow the above instructions to resolve this problem simply. Sometimes users may have corrupted PST files then we use a pro method to restore Outlook contacts from PST file. If you have any other queries about this issue, then feel free to contact our technical support team.