Open and find items in an Outlook Data File (.pst)
Archived: 2026-04-05 14:47:38 UTC
Applies To
Outlook Data Files (.pst), or Personal Storage Tables files, contain Outlook user messages and other Outlook
items, such as contacts, appointments, tasks, notes, and journal entries. You might also use an Outlook data file to
backup messages or store older items locally on your computer to keep the size of your mailbox small.
We currently provide different levels of support for Outlook Data Files, depending on which version of Outlook
you are using. To determine which version of Outlook you're using, look for the word Outlook on the top app bar.
If you only see the Outlook icon, you're using classic Outlook. If the product name is next to the Outlook icon,
you're using new Outlook.
Outlook Data File (.pst) support in new Outlook
You can move, copy, and delete emails and folders in your .pst file. You can also drag and drop emails between
your mailbox and .pst files. The latest update now includes the ability to export emails, calendars, contacts, and
tasks from a mailbox to a .pst file.
We planto release support for bulk importing Mail, Calendar, and Contacts from a PST into a Mailbox. We will
also remove the requirement that users need to have classic Outlook installed to use PSTs in new Outlook. After
that we have no further investments planned.
For more details see: Export emails, contacts, and calendar items to Outlook using a .pst file.
Open an Outlook Data File (.pst) in new Outlook
You can open .pst files, read e-mails in .pst files, and search .pst files for emails.
1. To open an Outlook Data File (.pst), go to Settings > Files > Outlook Data Files.
2. Select Add file.
3. Select a .pst file and then select Open.
Open PST file
Requirements
To open .pst files in new Outlook, note the following requirements:
Opening .pst files in new Outlook requires classic Outlook to also be installed. Both versions need to be the
same architecture: 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64).
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/introduction-to-outlook-data-files-pst-and-ost-222eaf92-a995-45d9-bde2-f331f60e2790
Page 1 of 2

Install classic Outlook for Windows
Install 32-bit (x86) new Outlook
If you have... You need...
64-bit machine 64-bit classic Outlook and 64-bit  new Outlook
32-bit machine 32-bit classic Outlook and 32-bit  new Outlook
Important: Before installing a different version of Outlook – 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) – make sure you
uninstall the previous version. Learn more at Choose between the 64-bit or 32-bit version of Office.
Note: The new Outlook for Windows app updates automatically to the version that matches the machine
architecture (64-bit or 32-bit). Learn more at Manage updates in new Outlook for Windows.
The account you're using in new Outlook must have a Microsoft 365 subscription.
If your subscription is from a Microsoft account with a third-party email address, such as Gmail or
Yahoo, see Connecting a subscription purchased with a Microsoft account to Outlook.
Outlook Data Files (.pst) isn't supported with the ARM version of new Outlook.
New Outlook cannot be in Safe or Recovery modes.
Need more help?
Want more options?
Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.
Source: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/introduction-to-outlook-data-files-pst-and-ost-222eaf92-a995-45d9-bde2-f331f60e2790
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/introduction-to-outlook-data-files-pst-and-ost-222eaf92-a995-45d9-bde2-f331f60e2790
Page 2 of 2

To open .pst Opening files in new Outlook, .pst files in​​ new note the following Outlook requires requirements:​​ classic Outlook to also be installed. Both versions need to be the
same architecture: 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64). 
   Page 1 of 2