How to create a separate PST file for contacts in Outlook?

I want my 800 contacts in their own PST, separate from the giant mail archive, so I can back the contacts up on their own and carry them between machines.

What is the right way to split them out without breaking the address book?

The Import and Export wizard does this cleanly and it copies rather than moves, so nothing breaks while you verify.

1

File, Open and Export, Import/Export, choose Export to a file, Next.

2

Pick Outlook Data File (.pst), Next.

3

Select your Contacts folder. Tick Include subfolders if you keep contact subfolders.

4

Choose a save location like Documents\contacts-backup.pst, pick Replace duplicates with items exported and Finish. Skip the optional password unless you need it, a forgotten PST password is a real headache.

To use the file on another machine: File, Open and Export, Open Outlook Data File, then right click its Contacts folder, Properties, Outlook Address Book tab and tick Show this folder as an email Address Book so autocomplete and the To button see it. For ongoing backups just re-export over the same file monthly, the wizard overwrites it in place.

Exported all 800 to their own file and opened it on my laptop. Address book checkbox was the missing piece for autocomplete, thanks.