Microsoft Outlook on Windows 11: Partial PST Support and Future Roadmap Explained

Microsoft’s overhaul of its Outlook experience on Windows 11 has been one of the most closely watched transitions in the productivity software space. As Microsoft pushes its users—individuals, small businesses, and enterprise clients—toward the new Outlook for Windows, a recurring question has rattled support forums and IT departments alike: does the new Outlook support legacy .pst files, the backbone of Outlook data archives for decades? The answer, as it stands today, is nuanced. Yes, but only partially, and with important caveats—many dependent on having an active Microsoft 365 subscription and classic Outlook installed on the same device, with matching architectures.

.pst File Support: Essential, but Not Yet Complete​

Outlook Personal Storage Table (PST) files have been the standard format for storing local copies of mailbox data—emails, contacts, calendars—since the days of Outlook 97. They remain a lifeline for users who need to migrate, back up, or archive mailboxes outside of the cloud. Despite their legacy nature, .pst files are a critical feature, particularly for power users and regulated industries.
When Microsoft began its journey to modernize Outlook—with a new app for Windows 11 that pulled from the fluid web-based codebase first seen in Outlook.com—the initial reaction was mixed, to put it mildly. Many were excited about a unified codebase and a streamlined interface, but concerns quickly mounted when PST support was conspicuously absent. Users found themselves without a path to access years, sometimes decades, of emails, calendar entries, and contacts saved as .pst—a dealbreaker for many.
Over the last several weeks, Microsoft has begun to close this gap. According to both official support documentation and independent testing by Windows Latest, the new Outlook now does allow you to open .pst files—but only if you have both the classic and new Outlook installed, and they are running on the same version and architecture (i.e., both 64-bit). Attempting to mix 32-bit and 64-bit installations leads to errors or unsupported scenarios. In practice, this means that most users considering migrating to the new Outlook will need to keep classic Outlook around—a less-than-ideal transition plan, but a necessary one for those dependent on legacy data.

Basic Email PST Workflows Are Available​

Once properly configured, most fundamental workflows involving PST files are now supported. Users can:

• Open an Outlook Data File (.pst) from within the new Outlook (Settings > Files > Outlook Data Files > Add file).
• Read, reply to, and move emails stored within the .pst.
• Forward emails—with some limitations; rich forwarding as attachments is still rolling out.

These improvements mark significant progress over the original state at launch, when PST functionality was wholly absent. Early enterprise feedback still suggests caution: features such as importing, exporting, and integrating calendar or contacts from PST files remain absent or require reverting to classic Outlook, as of June 2025.

The Roadmap: Microsoft's Plan to Reach Feature Parity​

Microsoft is not resting on its laurels. A flurry of PST-related enhancements are slated for release throughout 2025, according to Microsoft’s published Feature Roadmap—backed by community feedback and direct product team announcements. Here’s how the timeline breaks down:

Feature	Description	Status	Rollout Start
Export mailbox to PST	Export emails, calendar, contacts to PST file	Coming	June 2025
Auto-export mailbox to PST	Schedule auto-exports to PST	Coming	July–August 2025
Import emails from PST	Pull emails from PST into your mailbox	Coming	September–October 2025
Import calendars and contacts from PST	PST calendar/contact import	Coming	September–October 2025
PST calendar read-only access	Browse PST calendar data without import	Coming	August–September 2025
PST contacts read-only access	Browse PST contact info without import	Coming	August–September 2025
Forward emails from PST as attachment	Send emails as an attachment from PST	Coming	August 2025
Import PST to Outlook for Mac	Mac PST import support	Coming	October 2025

Other planned features include the ability to add PST folders to favorites and expanded mailbox management options, suggesting that by late 2025, the new Outlook will draw much closer to the classic desktop experience.
But for many business and regulated users—where data retention, litigation holds, and audit requirements hinge on .pst accessibility—timing is everything. The phased rollout means some organizations may choose to delay migration until every PST workflow is natively supported, creating a bumpy upgrade path.

Strengths: Clear Progress, Unified Codebase, and Copilot-Driven Innovation​

Despite early missteps, Microsoft has made decisive progress in restoring the features that matter most to power users. The return of PST file support—even if partial—demonstrates responsiveness to user feedback, and the public roadmap provides assurance that classic workflows won’t be lost in translation.
The new Outlook for Windows brings several clear strengths:

• Unified Modern Experience: Microsoft’s push toward a unified Outlook experience across web, desktop, and mobile means fewer surprises for users moving between devices, and less friction for IT.
• Improved Performance: The modern codebase offers start-up times and synchronizations that, in most scenarios, noticeably outpace classic Outlook—especially on newer hardware and in cloud-first environments.
• Copilot Integration: AI-powered Copilot features, while requiring a paid subscription, increasingly work across all connected accounts (including Gmail or IMAP). Copilot-enhanced search, theme generation, and productivity insights are major draws for users ready to embrace AI-driven workflows.
• Better Offline Email Access: Recent updates increased the window for offline email availability from seven to thirty days—a much-needed boost for laptop warriors and travelers.

Enterprise administrators, in particular, have lauded the transparency of Microsoft’s communication in the last several months. The Office 365 and Microsoft 365 feature roadmaps not only flag planned changes but also invite user feedback, letting businesses plan transitions and mitigate workflow disruptions in advance.

Weaknesses: Fragmented Support, Migration Headaches, and Conditional Access​

While the current PST support in the new Outlook is a marked improvement, several risks and pain points remain:

• Dependency on Classic Outlook and Microsoft 365: The fact that .pst functionality relies on the co-installation of classic Outlook (and requires matching 64-bit builds) presents significant hurdles for organizations looking to standardize on a single, modern email solution. Users attempting to mix-and-match architectures will encounter frustrating errors and, in some cases, data corruption risks.
• Feature Fragmentation: As of mid-2025, essential PST features such as importing calendars and contacts or exporting entire mailboxes are still “coming soon.” This means day-to-day workflows for those reliant on PST for archiving or backup are likely interrupted or require awkward workarounds.
• Uncertain Support for Offline-Only Users: Many users, especially in rural or regulated environments, maintain PST archives for offline access and disaster recovery. Until full PST import/export cycles are supported natively, these users face ongoing disadvantages.
• Subscription and Licensing Complexity: The steady march of new features—particularly Copilot—are locked behind Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Users on perpetual Office licenses or those unwilling to move fully to the cloud are left stranded or have to opt for the classic app for full feature access.
• Mac Parity Lags Behind: Outlook for Mac is not slated to receive PST import support until at least October 2025, leaving cross-platform users in limbo.

It’s worth noting that none of the currently planned updates fundamentally alter PST mechanics or encryption schemes, so organizations with large libraries of encrypted, legacy PSTs may still face compatibility and security reviews before jumping aboard the new Outlook.

The New Outlook and the Road Ahead​

For most users—not only those with substantial .pst archives—the transition to the new Outlook app should be approached with informed caution. The new Outlook for Windows is evolving at a rapid pace and is demonstrably more advanced than its launch version. Still, it remains a work in progress for critical legacy functions.
The balance of strengths and weaknesses leans positive for those who value:

• seamless cloud-to-desktop synchronization
• access to Copilot AI and modern interface options
• ongoing security and compliance updates

However, organizations with strict archiving regulations, extensive migration needs, or a dependency on .pst-based workflows should carefully review Microsoft’s public roadmap, test compatibility in pilot environments, and plan for potential delays or dual-app deployment until all required features are finalized.

What Users Should Do Now​

• Check Outlook Architecture: Ensure both classic and new Outlook are installed in the same (preferably 64-bit) architecture to access current PST features.
• Monitor Feature Updates: Track Microsoft 365 and Windows Insider blog updates for the latest on PST support. Microsoft’s official roadmap and feature flags are updated monthly.
• Pilot the New Outlook: Test with non-critical users or mailboxes first, especially if you work in regulated industries or rely heavily on PST archiving.
• Revisit Data Retention Policies: As full PST support matures, review whether legacy archives can/should be migrated to newer cloud or hybrid archiving strategies for better compliance and long-term access.

SEO-Focused Q&A​

Does Windows 11 Outlook support PST files?​

Yes, partially. As of mid-2025, the new Outlook for Windows supports opening and basic email workflows in .pst files, but import/export, calendar, and contact support are still rolling out.

Can I import PST files in new Outlook for Windows?​

Not yet natively. Import support is planned for September–October 2025. Until then, users must keep classic Outlook installed.

Is Microsoft 365 required for PST file support in new Outlook?​

Yes. PST file workflows now require an active Microsoft 365 subscription, plus matching versions of classic and new Outlook (both 64-bit or both 32-bit).

When will Outlook for Mac support PST files?​

October 2025. PST import on Mac is expected later this year according to Microsoft’s roadmap.

Final Analysis​

The handling of .pst files in the new Outlook on Windows 11 encapsulates the highs and lows of Microsoft’s modernization effort. The pace of progress over the last year is commendable, showcasing Microsoft’s dedication to closing gaps identified by users and business partners. The roadmap promises parity with classic Outlook for most .pst workflows by the end of 2025.
Still, businesses and individuals should keep a close eye on rollout timelines and prepare for a period of feature fragmentation and dual-app coexistence. If your workflow revolves around seamless, direct .pst file access, patience or a hybrid Desktop/New Outlook setup will be required for at least a few more months.
For those ready to embrace a cloud-centric, AI-powered inbox—and who can work around or wait for the remaining .pst upgrades—the new Outlook for Windows is increasingly a strong bet. But, as with all major productivity changes, trust but verify: regular testing, active roadmap tracking, and conservative migration strategies remain the wisest path for a smooth transition.

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Source: Windows Latest Does Windows 11's new Outlook support .pst files? Partially and requires Microsoft 365