This instruction adapted from Microsoft's description of AutoArchive. Refer to Microsoft's description for more information on Outlook's AutoArchive features.


AutoArchive helps manage the space on the e-mail server by automatically moving items to an archive location on your computer. You can see how much space you've used up on the mail server by clicking File in the top left corner of Outlook.


If you run out of space on the mail server, you will be unable to send or receive emails. We do not increase mail server size. To free up space, you can set up AutoArchive. You can still reference archived emails as you would normal emails.


This FAQ Answer contains the following instructions:

  • Turn on AutoArchive feature
  • AutoArchive specific folders
  • AutoArchive Now
  • Where does AutoArchive put archived emails?
  • Open an Archive file


Turn on AutoArchive feature

  1. Open File > Options in Outlook.


  2. Select Advanced options and AutoArchive Settings.


  3. You can change settings according to your own preference. The default options are recommended.
    The default location of your Archive folder is: C:\Users\(your user folder)\Documents\Outlook Files\archive.pst
    The shorthand location is in Documents > Outlook Files and is typically called archive.pst. (Don't forget to keep this file if you switch computers! You can open .pst files in any Outlook to access your archived emails.)


  4. Choose OK to confirm the changes.

These AutoArchive options will now by default apply to every folder in your mailbox. However, you can set individual properties for the AutoArchive feature for each folder that you want to have unique settings.



AutoArchive specific folders
Once you have turned on AutoArchive with the first half of this instruction, you can then specify unique archiving settings to folders.

There are two methods to access the AutoArchive Folder options:
  1. Select the folder, then choose the Folder menu tab, then the AutoArchive Settings option.


    - OR - 
  2. Right click on the folder and select Properties.


  • Then select the AutoArchive tab and change the settings to your desired unique settings from the default.

AutoArchive NOW
If you have run out of space and you need to archive emails immediately, you can force an archive by opening the File menu at the top left corner of Outlook.

Choose to AutoArchive if you've followed the previous steps to turn on AutoArchive.




Where does AutoArchive put archived emails?
You can now access your Archived emails below your inbox folders.

Open an Archive file

If you don't see this Archive folder in your Outlook, or you are opening a .pst file from an old computer, you can use File > Open & Export.


Then, select the archive file and select OK.