PRF File – What is .prf file and how to open it?

What is a PRF File?

A PRF file is a Microsoft Outlook profile file. It contains settings that determine how Outlook connects to email accounts and how it displays messages. Each PRF file corresponds to a specific Outlook profile, which is a collection of settings for a single user.

PRF File Contents

PRF files contain a variety of settings, including:

• Email account settings: The information needed to connect Outlook to email accounts, including the email address, server address, and login credentials.
• Display settings: The preferences for how Outlook displays messages, such as the font size, color scheme, and message preview options.
• Plugin settings: The settings for any plugins that have been added to Outlook.
• Other settings: Additional settings that control various aspects of Outlook’s behavior, such as the automatic spell checking and grammar checking options.

PRF File Format and Purpose

A PRF file, or Outlook Profile File, is a file format created by Microsoft for storing profiles in Microsoft Outlook, an email client application. A profile in Outlook represents a collection of settings and configurations that define how the application interacts with email accounts, calendars, and other data sources. These profiles can contain information such as account credentials, email server settings, and personalized preferences.

PRF files serve as backups or portable representations of user profiles. They allow users to save their customized settings and transfer them to other computers or devices. By importing a PRF file, users can quickly configure Outlook with their preferred settings, eliminating the need to manually recreate the profile from scratch.

Opening PRF Files

Opening PRF files requires Microsoft Outlook to be installed on the computer. To open a PRF file in Outlook:

1. Import the Profile: In Outlook, navigate to the “File” menu and select “Open & Export.” In the “Import and Export” wizard, choose “Import an Outlook data file (.pst)” and click “Next.”
2. Browse for the PRF File: In the “Import Outlook Data File” window, locate and select the PRF file you want to open. Click “Open” to import the profile.
3. Accept Profile Settings: A confirmation prompt will appear, asking you to accept the imported profile settings. Click “Yes” to complete the import process.

After importing a PRF file, the profile will be added to Outlook’s profile list. Users can switch between profiles by navigating to the “File” menu, selecting “Account Settings,” and clicking on the “Change Profile” button.

PRF File Overview

A PRF file, short for Outlook Profile File, is a Microsoft-developed file format used by Microsoft Outlook, an email and personal information manager application. PRF files store user-specific settings and configurations for Outlook, such as account settings, email message formatting options, and custom toolbars. When Outlook is launched, it reads the PRF file associated with the user’s account and applies the stored settings to the application. This allows users to access their customized Outlook environments on different computers or workstations.

PRF File Structure

PRF files are text-based files that use a structured format to store settings. They typically contain sections for various Outlook components, including accounts, message formats, and toolbars. Each section contains a series of key-value pairs, where the key identifies the setting and the value specifies its configuration. For instance, the following line in a PRF file sets the default font for email messages:


[Message Formats]
DefaultFont=Calibri, 11pt


PRF files are typically created and managed by Outlook itself. Users can also manually create or modify PRF files using a text editor, but it is recommended to only make changes if necessary and with caution, as incorrect modifications can disrupt Outlook’s functionality.

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