Why Can't New Outlook Handle Your PST Files Completely? The Frustrating Truth About Microsoft's Incomplete Solution

Will Microsoft's New Outlook Finally Support PST Files Properly? The Promising 2025 Roadmap Revealed

Microsoft has been working hard to improve PST file support in the new Outlook for Windows 11, but the current implementation comes with significant limitations that users need to understand.

Current PST File Support Status

The new Outlook for Windows 11 does support PST files, but only partially. Microsoft accelerated PST support development after initially planning delivery for March 2025, moving the timeline up to January 2025 due to the retirement of Windows 11 Mail & Calendar apps. As of June 2025, users can perform basic email operations with PST files, including reading, replying to, and forwarding emails stored in these archive files.

However, this support comes with strict requirements. You must have both classic Outlook and the new Outlook installed on the same device, running identical architectures (both 64-bit or both 32-bit). Mixing different versions creates compatibility issues and prevents PST files from opening properly.

How to Access PST Files in New Outlook

To open a PST file in the new Outlook:

1. Navigate to Settings > Files > Outlook Data Files
2. Select Add file and choose your PST file
3. Click Open to access the archive

This process only works when you have classic Outlook installed alongside the new version. The dependency on classic Outlook makes this a transitional solution rather than a complete replacement.

What Works and What Doesn't

Currently Available Features:

• Read emails stored in PST files
• Reply to emails from PST archives
• Forward emails from PST files
• Move emails between folders
• Basic email management tasks

Missing Features (Coming Soon):

• Calendar data access from PST files
• Contact information from PST archives
• Full import/export capabilities
• Advanced PST management tools

Microsoft has acknowledged these limitations and published a detailed roadmap for expanding PST functionality throughout 2025.

Microsoft's 2025 PST Roadmap

Microsoft has committed to significant PST improvements with specific timelines:

June-July 2025:

• Export mailbox to PST functionality
• Forward emails as attachments from PST files
• Enhanced folder management options

August-September 2025:

• Auto-export scheduling for PST files
• Read-only access to PST calendar data
• Read-only access to PST contact information

September-October 2025:

• Full import capabilities for emails from PST files
• Import support for calendars and contacts
• Mac compatibility for PST imports

This aggressive timeline suggests Microsoft recognizes the critical importance of PST support for business users and enterprise environments.

Why PST Files Matter

PST files serve as essential tools for organizations managing email storage limitations. They allow users to archive emails, contacts, and calendar events locally, reducing server storage demands. For businesses in regulated industries or those with strict data retention requirements, PST files provide necessary compliance capabilities.

The initial absence of PST support in the new Outlook created significant resistance among enterprise users who depend on these archives for daily operations.

Recent Improvements Beyond PST Support

Microsoft has enhanced the new Outlook experience with several additional features:

Offline Capabilities:

• Extended email sync from 7 days to 30 days offline access
• Offline search folder functionality
• Undo send capability while offline

Copilot Integration:

• AI-powered email coaching and drafting
• Cross-account Copilot access with subscription
• Available for third-party email providers like Gmail and Yahoo

Account Management:

• Seamless email movement between personal accounts
• Enhanced shared folder access
• Improved contact management with external tags

Business Impact and Considerations

The phased rollout of PST support creates challenges for organizations planning migrations. Many businesses may delay transitioning to the new Outlook until full PST parity arrives later in 2025. This creates a period of dual-app coexistence that IT departments must manage carefully.

For users heavily dependent on PST archives, the current limitations mean maintaining both Outlook versions simultaneously. This approach works but adds complexity to email management workflows.

Looking Forward

Microsoft's commitment to achieving PST feature parity by late 2025 represents a significant investment in user retention. The company clearly understands that PST support remains a dealbreaker for many enterprise customers.

The accelerated timeline and comprehensive roadmap suggest Microsoft is serious about making the new Outlook a viable replacement for classic Outlook. However, the success of this transition depends on delivering promised features on schedule and maintaining compatibility across different user environments.

For now, users requiring full PST functionality should plan for a gradual transition, keeping classic Outlook available while testing new features as they become available throughout 2025.