What is MS Outlook?

Are you looking for complete information about “What is MS Outlook?” then you are in absolute place. Without wasting your time, let’s go with this blog.

Here we are going to introduce about MS Outlook which is a task management application. Its free email-client of Microsoft Office and used to access MS Exchange server emails. MS Outlook was initially launched to operate as a personal information manager to operate and access Web-based Email after configuring POP3 and IMAP in desktop and all other devices.

“There are 3 types of Protocol used by Microsoft Outlook (POP3, SMTP & IMAP)”

History of Microsoft Outlook:

Developer: Microsoft Corporation

License: Proprietary commercial software

Application Type: Personal information manager

Written in: C++

Supported Platforms: Windows and MAC OS X

Website: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/outlook (for MAC OS X)

Website: http://www.office.microsoft.com/outlook (for Windows)

Versions: MS Outlook 98 to 2016 for MAC & Windows

Microsoft Outlook was initially launched with MS Office 97. As Microsoft offices increased their versions, Outlook also increased with new and updated features. Have a look the versions of MS Outlook –

MS Outlook Name Versions Launching Date
Outlook 97 8.0 16.07.1997
Outlook 98 8.5 21.06.1998
Outlook 2000 9.0 27.06.1999
Outlook 2002 10 31.05.2001
Office Outlook 2003 11 20.11.2003
Outlook 2008 for MAC 12 15.01.2007
Office Outlook 2007 12 27.01.2007
Outlook 2010 14 15.07.2010
Outlook 2011 for MAC 14 26.10.2010
Outlook 2013 15 29.01.2013
Outlook 2013 for MAC 15.3 31.10.2014
Outlook 2016 for MAC 16 09.07.2015
Outlook 2016 for Windows 16 22.09.2015

The superiority of MS Outlook

MS Outlook provides many features to the user for working flawlessly and securely and also makes user’s conversation secure between clients, friends or anyone. Some extraordinary features are given below; those are responsible to make Outlook reliable and trustworthy. Please have a look-

  • This is Desktop based e-mail client
  • The user can get previous emails from Outlook without an internet connection
  • Outlook is a free and secure application
  • Available with high-quality features
  • A user can use this application for numbers of email account
  • Configure all types of Email clients account like (G-Mail, Hotmail, Yahoo….)
  • Outlook store backup file of your complete mailbox data
  • In Outlook, a user can configure their Company’s email id.
  • Outlook creates two types of data files (.OST file and .PST file)
  • Outlook is compatible with all Windows versions
  • Import .csv file, MS Excel (97-2016), .vcf file, .ics file etc.
  • By using Outlook, the user can schedule their emails for next time absence of internet
  • A user can set reminders and appointment
  • Outlook supports Exchange Server
  • The user can store the backup file of all emails in a systematic format in their local Machine.

File Extension for Microsoft Outlook

As we described that .ost and .pst file extensions are major file formats for Outlook, but apart from these extensions there are various file extensions in Outlook.

  • .MSG   Outlook Mail Message
  • .EML    E-mail Message
  • .VCF    vCard File
  • .ICS    Calendar File
  • .WAB   Windows Address Book
  • .SIG    Signature File
  • .RWZ   Outlook Rules Wizard File
  • .SRS    Outlook Send/Receive Settings File
  • .PRF    Outlook Profile File
  • .PAB    Personal Address Book
  • .OTM   Outlook Macro File
  • .OLM   MAC Outlook Data File
  • .OFT   Outlook File Template
  • .IAF    Outlook Internet Account File
  • .BCM   Business Contact Manager File

Data Files of Microsoft Outlook –

If you want your all calendars, task, contacts, and Emails in Microsoft Outlook, then you have to connect your Email account in Outlook after following some simple steps. After configuration the email account with Outlook, Outlook Email client create two types of data files named as OST file and PST File.

PST Data File: PST stands for Personal Storage Table which is used for storing data of MS Outlook like Emails, Contacts, Tasks, and calendars etc. This file type is mainly created in Outlook when a user configures their webmail account using POP3 and IMAP server absence of MS Exchange server.

  • Location of PST File:
    • Windows XP: drive:\Users\My Documents\Outlook Files
    • Windows 7 & Vista: drive:\Users\Documents\Outlook Files
    • In Windows 8: drive:\Users\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

OST Data File: OST stands for Offline storage file and it is used when a user is using Microsoft Exchange server with Cached Exchange Mode enabled. In Outlook 2013 and 2016, if the connectivity with IMAP then.OST file will be created in the local end for any type of E-mail ID.

  • Location of OST File:
    • In Windows XP: drive:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
    • Windows 7 & Vista: drive:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
    • Windows 8: drive:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Conclusion

I hope this blog will help you to understand and fulfilled you doubt about what is Outlook? And complete data files of Microsoft Outlook. This blog is completed with all information about Outlook Email client like all types of versions, benefits of application, Data files. If you are satisfied with this matter then please share this blog with others and if you are unsatisfied or you have any doubt about Outlook then please feel free to write us or leave a comment below. It’s my pleasure to help you.

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