Password protected Microsoft Outlook .PST file
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Zhetmasta
35 pts.
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Q:
Password protected Microsoft Outlook .PST file
Outlook 2003, .PST files, Microsoft Office 2003, .PST password breaking, Password
User's .pst file has password set on it, such that if I reinstall Office 2003 package it requests for Personal Folders password..How do I reset and/or remove this configuration
ASKED: Apr 11 2009  10:44 AM GMT
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Technochic
40210 pts.
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A:
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It's plenty of tools out there on the internet but most of them are not free. check this tool

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I would tread lightly in this scenario. Yes it is "company" email however this user is going to feel unjustly violated if his password is removed without his knowledge or permission. To be fair to the user, notify them first of the problem. Seek permission to remove the password or seek to do this at a time when they can be present to input their password. Is this inconvenient to you? Yes, however keeping good relations with the people we work with is important. I would say respect the password first until all other options are exhausted. It will save a LOT of headaches, trust me!
Last Answered: Apr 13 2009  1:35 PM GMT by Technochic   40210 pts.
Latest Contributors: Alessandro.panzetta   9615 pts.
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KevinBeaver   7610 pts.  |   Apr 15 2009  2:10AM GMT

For anyone looking for an excellent tool for cracking Outlook PST passwords (and practically anything else) check out Elcomsoft.

 

DiegoDH   275 pts.  |   Apr 17 2009  5:53AM GMT

Also important:

1- what does your company says about “cracking” any kind of password?
2- which is the business rationale for doing that? who will approve/authorise your actions?
3- has a service request been raised for this? (eg: email, ticket in a Help Desk app, written note, anything valid ass evidence) Or is it part of a project?

Remember to be TRANSPARENT in this kind of situations.

Good luck!
Diego.

 

Technochic   40210 pts.  |   Apr 17 2009  1:48PM GMT

Excellent points, Diego. :-)

 

MacLeod   80 pts.  |   Apr 20 2009  4:46PM GMT

I recently participated in a project involving migrating all PST files back into the mailboxes. Some of the files were fairly old, so after informing the user (who couldn’t remember the password), we used PST19UPG for stripping the password.

PST19UPG was originally designed for upgrading the PST file format to version 19, but one of the side effects is that it can strip out PST passwords.

Always make a backup of the PST before using, there have been instances (although we didn’t encounter them) where the utitlity has caused damage to a PST.

Kind regards,

Duncan

 

Hubcap   35 pts.  |   Apr 27 2009  1:53PM GMT

Do note that at least on government networks, despite all of the warnings, notices, EULAs, etc., it is STILL legally an unlawful invasion of privacy to open a user’s personal folder or personal mail box, crack their password, etc., without their explicit consent at the time of access OR without a warrant.

In other words there can be huge legal considerations no matter how many rights they’ve signed away. If you really need to get into anything that belongs to a user which they could have any sort of vague claim to an expectation of any kind of privacy, and can’t get in touch with the user, get with your legal team first.

 

DiegoDH   275 pts.  |   Aug 8 2009  7:45AM GMT

Good point, Hubcap.

Zhetmasta, how did this issue ended?

Maybe another solution would have been to add the protected PST later, by the user him/herself?

 
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