---
title: "Search PST files efficiently"
url: https://lookeen.com/blog/search-pst-files-efficiently
lang: en
description: "Searching PST files often takes a very long time. With the desktop and Outlook search Lookeen 10, it is faster and more efficient."
author: "Carolin Lehmann"
published: 2014-10-02T14:15:56+00:00
modified: 2026-11-11T06:52:21+00:00
---

# Search PST files efficiently

A PST file ([Personal Store](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Store)) is the container file used by Microsoft Outlook for storing folders, tasks, notes, contacts, and calendar entries. Outlook can manage any number of PST files, so you can still open and search backups or archives at a later time. Since Outlook 2007, a PST file can be up to 20 gigabytes in size. If several PST files are to be searched at the same time, Outlook can quickly reach its limits!

[Find out here how you can search your Outlook PST files faster!](https://lookeen.com/solutions/outlook-search/search-pst-files)

## Efficiency Takes Time

Depending on the file size, a search within the file can take some time. [Finding messages becomes more difficult and slower as a result](https://lookeen.com/blog/real-time-indexing-and-lookeen-8). In current versions, Outlook offers so-called search folders alongside the standard search function. In these search folders, you set up searches for a specific sender, subject, or other information that you need to find frequently. If you search for emails from the same sender daily, you can use the search folder to automatically fill out all fields of the Lookeen search dialog directly – instead of having to enter everything manually yourself!

## How Can I Search Effectively and Quickly?

Detailed wizards make it easier for the user to set up the desired search. This simplifies searching the PST files and makes the results display faster, since Outlook performs the searching automatically in the background. Lookeen works with more search parameters that narrow down the search and thus lead to more accurate results. The PST files and archives can therefore also be searched offline, which is not possible with Outlook’s native search alone. Lookeen automatically indexes all data on hard drives, across the entire network, and also within Outlook (PST/OST files) and Exchange servers (including public folders), regardless of whether you are searching for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, HTML, PHP, TXT, RTF, etc. Lookeen indexes all common file formats. Lookeen is also suitable for VDI environments and compatible with Citrix, VMware, and Terminal Server.

Tip of the day: [Try Lookeen for 14 days completely free and without obligation!](https://lookeen.com/download)