Where Outlook signatures are saved in Windows (and how to back them up)
Find where the classic Outlook desktop app stores your signatures on a Windows PC, including how to reveal the hidden AppData folder, so you can back up, copy or troubleshoot them.
Jump to a step (4)
When you move to a new computer, want to back up your signatures, or need to fix a signature that looks wrong, you have to find the actual signature files. They sit in a hidden Windows folder that most people never see.
Classic Outlook stores each signature as files on your computer, in a Signatures folder inside your user profile's AppData folder. AppData is hidden by default, so you have to turn on hidden items in File Explorer first.
Signatures you create in Outlook on the web and New Outlook are saved to your account online instead of in this folder.
What you need
- A Windows PC with the classic Outlook desktop app
- At least one signature created in Outlook
Step by step
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01
View your signatures inside Outlook
In classic Outlook, select File > Options > Mail > Signatures. Here you can create a new signature or edit and delete existing ones.
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02
Open your user folder in File Explorer
Open File Explorer, go to the
C:drive, openUsersand then the folder for the username you are signed in with. Look for theAppDatafolder. -
03
Show hidden folders if AppData is missing
If you cannot see
AppData, select the three dots (See more) in the File Explorer toolbar and choose Options. On the View tab, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives and select OK. -
04
Open the Signatures folder
Open
AppData>Roaming>Microsoft>Signatures. The full path isC:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Signatures. Each signature appears in several formats: an HTML file, a plain text file and a rich text (RTF) file. The three signatures created in Outlook show up here as three sets of files.
Tips and common problems
- You can jump straight to the folder by typing
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Signaturesin the File Explorer address bar. - Each signature is saved in three formats (HTML, TXT and RTF). Keep them together when you copy a signature to another PC.
- Signatures made in Outlook on the web or New Outlook are stored with your account online, not in this Windows folder.
Want to make a clickable signature to put in this folder? See how to create an HTML email signature for Outlook.
Questions
Where are Outlook signatures stored in Windows 11?
Classic Outlook stores them in C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Signatures. The AppData folder is hidden, so turn on Show hidden files, folders, and drives in File Explorer, or type %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Signatures in the address bar.
How do I back up my Outlook signatures?
Copy the contents of the Signatures folder to a safe location. To restore them on another PC, paste the files into the same folder there and restart Outlook.
Where are signatures saved in Outlook on the web and New Outlook?
They are saved to your Microsoft account online, not to a folder on your computer. Manage them in Settings > Account > Signatures.
