Change Display Name of PST File in Outlook 2010
To change the display name of a PST file in Outlook 2010, you must remove the data file from your profile and re-add it, because Outlook does not offer a direct rename option for the display name. This process is quick and does not affect the actual PST file or its contents.
Background: What Is a PST Display Name?
In Outlook 2010, a Personal Folders file (.pst) is a data file that stores your emails, contacts, calendar items, and other mailbox data on your computer. When you add a PST file to your Outlook profile, it appears in the Navigation Pane with a display name—typically the name of the file (e.g., “Personal Folders” or “Archive”). This name is separate from the actual filename on disk; it is stored in the Outlook profile settings.
You might want to change the display name for clarity—for example, to distinguish between multiple PST files like “Work Archive” and “Personal Backup.” The display name is what you see in the folder list, and it also appears in the “Data Files” tab of the Account Settings dialog.
How the Display Name Is Stored
The display name is part of the Outlook profile configuration, not the PST file itself. When you add a PST file, Outlook assigns it a default name based on the file’s name (e.g., if the file is archive.pst, the display name becomes “Archive”). This name is recorded in the Windows registry under your Outlook profile. Because it is profile-specific, the same PST file can have different display names on different computers or for different Outlook profiles.
There is no built-in “Rename” button for the display name in Outlook 2010’s interface. The only supported method is to remove the data file from the profile and then add it again, specifying the new name during the process.
Step-by-Step: Change the Display Name
Follow these steps to change the display name of a PST file in Outlook 2010:
- Close Outlook completely.
- Open the Control Panel and click Mail (or Mail (32-bit) if you’re on a 64-bit system).
- Click Data Files (or E-mail Accounts and then Data Files).
- In the list, select the PST file whose display name you want to change.
- Click Remove and confirm. This removes the data file from your profile but does not delete the actual .pst file from your disk.
- Click Add to re-add the PST file.
- In the dialog, choose Office Outlook Personal Folders File (.pst) and click OK.
- Browse to the location of the .pst file, select it, and click OK.
- In the Create/Open Personal Folders File dialog, you will see a Name field. This is the display name. Type the new name you want (e.g., “Work Archive”).
- Click OK and then Close.
When you reopen Outlook, the PST file will appear with the new display name in the Navigation Pane.
What If You Have Multiple PST Files?
If you have several PST files, the same process applies to each. Make sure you note the actual file path before removing it, so you can re-add the correct file. The removal step does not delete data, but it does temporarily hide the folders from Outlook until you re-add the file.
If you are unsure which PST file is which, check the file path in the Data Files list. The path shows the full location on your drive. Also, the display name is only a label—changing it does not affect the file’s content or its filename.
Common Problems and Solutions
- I don’t see the Mail icon in Control Panel: In Windows 7/8/10, switch the Control Panel view to Large icons or Small icons to find Mail. On 64-bit Windows, you may see both Mail and Mail (32-bit)—use the one that matches your Outlook version.
- Outlook says the PST file is in use: Make sure Outlook is completely closed, including any background processes. Check the system tray for Outlook icons and exit them.
- The display name reverts to the old name: This can happen if you re-add the file but skip the Name field. Always type the new name in the dialog before clicking OK.
- I can’t find the PST file on disk: The Data Files list shows the path. If you don’t see it, click Settings in the Data Files dialog to view the full path.
Alternative: Edit the Registry (Not Recommended)
Some advanced users edit the Windows registry to change the display name directly. The registry key is located under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\Profiles\<ProfileName>\9375CFF0413111d3B88A00104B2A6676. Each subkey represents a data file, and the value DisplayName controls the label. However, editing the registry is risky and can corrupt your Outlook profile if done incorrectly. The remove-and-re-add method is safer and fully supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the display name affect my emails?
No. The display name is just a label. Your emails, folders, and other data remain intact. The actual PST file on disk is not modified.
Can I change the display name without removing the PST file?
No, Outlook 2010 does not provide a direct rename option. The only supported way is to remove and re-add the data file. This is a minor inconvenience but does not affect your data.
Does this work for Outlook 2013, 2016, 2019, or 365?
Yes, the same method works in later versions of Outlook. The steps are nearly identical, though the Control Panel Mail icon may be labeled differently. The principle remains: remove the data file, then re-add it with a new name.
What if I have a POP or IMAP account? Does this apply?
This applies only to PST files (Personal Folders). POP and IMAP accounts store data in different ways, and their display names are usually set automatically. You can change the account name in Account Settings, but that is separate from the PST display name.
Is there a way to change the display name without closing Outlook?
No, you must close Outlook to safely modify the profile. Trying to do it while Outlook is running may cause errors or data corruption.
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