A profile contains configuration information for email accounts, data files, and information about where your email items are saved. When Microsoft Outlook 2010 runs for the first time, a profile is created automatically and is named Outlook. As you add or change email accounts, or include an additional Outlook Data Files (.pst), the profile is updated.
Outlook 2010 profiles are stored in the Windows registry and contain the following information:
- What account information to use This information includes the user name, display name, email server name, and Internet service provider (ISP) (ISP: A business that provides access to the Internet for such things as electronic mail, chat rooms, or use of the World Wide Web. Some ISPs are multinational, offering access in many locations, while others are limited to a specific region.) account password.
- Where the email data is delivered and saved In Outlook, data is delivered and saved either on the email server or in an Outlook Data File (.pst) file on your computer. Some accounts, such as Microsoft Exchange Server accounts might use an offline Outlook Data File (.ost).This data includes rules, messages, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, journals, Search Folders, and other settings.
Most people need only a single profile. Beginning with Outlook 2010, multiple Exchange Server accounts can be included in one profile. Also, Outlook 2010 makes it easier to use a unique Outlook Data File (.pst) for each email account. If you previously used multiple profiles to keep accounts isolated — such as work and home accounts, you might want to consider using a single profile.
Profiles aren’t intended, nor offer, security for preventing people from accessing your Outlook information. If you share your computer together with another person, we recommend that you create a Windows user account that uses a password for each person. Each person who then uses Outlook will have a unique profile.
For more information on how to create a profile, to change whether you are prompted to choose from among multiple profiles when Outlook starts, or to edit a profile, see the See Also section.
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