If someone was just dragging and dropping desired email items from Inbox to subfolders inside archive folder, where will this .pst file be stored? I've got a client complaining that he used to do this and now those dragged and dropped email items/folders are gone after reinstalling OS. I've backed up the default location of outlook files and all the archive folders before reinstalling.

Typically in their default location in their profile similar to "C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\outlook.ost" or similar depending on OS. However the user could've put it anywhere. It's a seldmon mistake new helpdesk employees make they assume it's in the default location. We have lost several psts in this scenario. If you've searched your entire drives *.pst and it's not there then it's likely gone. If you really need it you have to resort to file recover software which can be hit or miss. I knew one colleague who did this on an exec's machine, got re-imaged and then literally bought and tried 9 data recover software which didnt' work. They ended up hiring a consultant and was finally able to retrieve it.James Chong MCITP | EA | EMA; MCSE | M+, S+ Security+, Project+, ITIL msexchangetips.blogspot.com

Hi Dalii, When you try to backup folders in Outlook the default location is: In Outlook 2010: C:\Users\username\Documents\Outlook Files\backup.pst In Outlook 2007: C:\Documents and Settings\Test\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\backup.pst If user have changed the path when he backup files, you can try to find .pst file on the computer. If the user did not change the default path and want to find the emails, maybe you need follow James’s suggestion( use file recover software )to have a try. Thanks, EvanPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.