Accessing Outlook .pst files in New Outlook

Eben -

I replied to this earlier but hadn't heard back from you. Could you please comment?

Many thanks,

A

Eben,

Thank you very much for your comprehensive reply. It was extremely helpful. It prompted more questions which I have embedded below into your reply. I'm adding my comments/questions in ALL CAPS hoping it makes it easier to distinguish.

Firstly, I would like to clarify that New Outlook for Windows does support .pst files. You can import your .pst files into Outlook using the old Outlook ( classic Outlook).

Typically you need to switch back to the classic outlook to move everything from .pst files into folders within your "root" Outlook email

By migrating your .pst files back into your Outlook account, organizing your emails effectively, and implementing proper backup procedures, you can continue to access and manage your valuable email history in the new Outlook environment. SO I UNDERSTAND THAT IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE DATA WHICH IS IN SEPARATE .PST FILES AFTER OLD OUTLOOK IS NOT AVAILABLE, I WILL NEED TO MOVE THE DATA FROM THE SEPARATE INDIVIDUAL .PST FILES INTO MY "ROOT" OUTLOOK EMAIL. I GET THAT. THANK YOU ITS HELPFUL. AS A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION THOUGH, ASSUMING I MOVE THE DATA FROM EACH SEPARATE INDIVIDUAL .PST FILE INTO A SEPARATE FOLDER (WITH ACCOMPANYING SUBFOLDERS (I HOPE I IMPORT SUBFOLDERS), WILL THAT DATA BE AVAILABE ON MY LAPTOP WITHOUT AN INTERNET CONNECTION? IN OTHER WORDS, IN NEW OUTLOOK, WILL ALL MY DATA STILL BE STORED ON MY LAPTOP? I DO USE ONEDRIVE FOR ALL MY SEPERATE .PST FILES.

If you have been using .pst files in Outlook to store important emails and historic records, it's crucial to ensure that you can continue to access and manage this valuable information.

Here are some insights and steps to help you address the changes in Outlook's support for .pst files and effectively manage your email data:

1. Outlook's Transition Away from .pst Files:
     - As Microsoft transitions away from .pst files in favor of more modern data storage solutions, it's important to adapt your email management practices accordingly to ensure continued access to your email data. IS THERE ANOTHER MICROSOFT ALTERNATIVE TO OUTLOOK FOR ACCESSING OLD .PST FILE DATA. I'LL AGREE THAT I HAVE BASTARDIZED AN EMAIL SERVICE INTO A DATABASE STORAGE TOOL. IS THERE A WAY TO USE ANOTHER TOOL TO STORE AND ACCESS THIS INFORMATION?
2. Migration Options:
     - One option is to migrate the contents of your existing .pst files back into your Outlook mailbox or folders. This will bring all your emails back into your "root" Outlook email account, making them accessible within the new Outlook interface. UNDERSTOOD. IS THERE ANOTHER OPTION? YOU DID SAY "ONE OPTION"...
3. Importing .pst Files:
     - To import the contents of your .pst files back into Outlook, you can use the import feature within Outlook. This process allows you to select the .pst file you want to import and choose the destination where you want the data to be imported. Reference: Import contacts to Outlook for Windows - Microsoft Support
   BUT I CAN'T IN NEW OUTLOOK, RIGHT? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS COMMENT. MAYBE THIS IS A CUT AND PASTE FROM SOMETHING ELSE. CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW ITS RELEVANT TO OUR DISCUSSION?
4. Considerations for Importing:
     - Keep in mind that importing a large amount of data (such as 4.5GB of emails) into your Outlook mailbox may impact performance, especially if your mailbox size reaches or exceeds the storage limits set by your email provider or your Admin. ITS STRICTLY PERSONAL, I'M RETIRED. SO NO "ADMINS" FROM WORK ANY MORE. IF I'M USING OUTLOOK.COM AS MY EMAIL PROVIDER, DON'T I HAVE 1TB? HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW THIS APPLIES IN MY FACTS.
5. Organizing Emails in Outlook:
     - Once you have imported the emails back into Outlook, you can organize them using folders, categories, or tags to maintain a structured and easily accessible email archive. Consider organizing emails based on topics, projects, or time periods to facilitate efficient retrieval of information. UNDERSTOOD. IF I COPY THE CONTENTS OF AN EXISTING SEPARATE .PST FILE WHICH HAS FOLDERS AND SUBFOLDERS, I BELIEVE THAT THE FOLDERS AND SUBFOLDERS WILL JUST COPY AS WELL. AGREE?
6. Backup and Archiving:
     - As you make changes to your email management strategy, ensure that you have adequate backup and archiving procedures in place to safeguard your important email data. Regularly back up your Outlook mailbox to prevent data loss. I'M USING ONEDRIVE FOR ALL MY BACK UPS. THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT I CAN'T USE ONEDRIVE FOR MY "ROOT" OUTLOOK EMAIL. AGREE? I ASSUME THAT GETS SYNC'D AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE CLOUD SO I DON'T HAVE TO BACK UP MY MAIN EMAIL. IS THAT CORRECT?

We will have to wait to see if New outlook is given the option to at least view pst data.

Pop mail has fallen out of favour and many mail providers no longer support pop. One of the reasons being that you cannot sync the same pop mail account with other devices.

With the MSFT response one of the problems with import is that it loses data setting, the recd date being set to the import date

Hello  Amin Nosrat,

Good morning!

Thank you for publishing in Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

I understand that you have concerns about accessing your .pst files in New Outlook.

Firstly, I would like to clarify that New Outlook for Windows does support .pst files. You can import your .pst files into Outlook using the old Outlook ( classic Outlook).

Typically you need to switch back to the classic outlook to move everything from .pst files into folders within your "root" Outlook email

By migrating your .pst files back into your Outlook account, organizing your emails effectively, and implementing proper backup procedures, you can continue to access and manage your valuable email history in the new Outlook environment.

If you have been using .pst files in Outlook to store important emails and historic records, it's crucial to ensure that you can continue to access and manage this valuable information.

Here are some insights and steps to help you address the changes in Outlook's support for .pst files and effectively manage your email data:

1. Outlook's Transition Away from .pst Files:
     - As Microsoft transitions away from .pst files in favor of more modern data storage solutions, it's important to adapt your email management practices accordingly to ensure continued access to your email data.
2. Migration Options:
     - One option is to migrate the contents of your existing .pst files back into your Outlook mailbox or folders. This will bring all your emails back into your "root" Outlook email account, making them accessible within the new Outlook interface.
3. Importing .pst Files:
     - To import the contents of your .pst files back into Outlook, you can use the import feature within Outlook. This process allows you to select the .pst file you want to import and choose the destination where you want the data to be imported. Reference: Import contacts to Outlook for Windows - Microsoft Support
4. Considerations for Importing:
     - Keep in mind that importing a large amount of data (such as 4.5GB of emails) into your Outlook mailbox may impact performance, especially if your mailbox size reaches or exceeds the storage limits set by your email provider or your Admin.
5. Organizing Emails in Outlook:
     - Once you have imported the emails back into Outlook, you can organize them using folders, categories, or tags to maintain a structured and easily accessible email archive. Consider organizing emails based on topics, projects, or time periods to facilitate efficient retrieval of information.
6. Backup and Archiving:
     - As you make changes to your email management strategy, ensure that you have adequate backup and archiving procedures in place to safeguard your important email data. Regularly back up your Outlook mailbox to prevent data loss.

you can continue to access and manage your valuable email history in the new Outlook.

However if there is any issue kindly provide us your old outlook version

We look forward to your reply. This requested information will help us narrow down the scenario and find the right troubleshooting. We will continue to assist you based on the information you provide. I sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation.   SincerelyEben Ezer Tres | Microsoft Community Moderator

I appreciate your response but i'm still left with my question unanswered. What do i do to prepare for the EOL? will there be no way to access the data in the .pst files? What would someone suggest as a way to still use Outlook to access this information?. Any assistance would be appreciated.