Migrating Outlook from Win 10 to Win 11

Question

Migrating Outlook from Win 10 to Win 11

Gilles Plante 0

I am using Outlook Classic from Microsoft 365. I need to move my accounts from a computer running Windows 10 to a new computer running Windows 11. I tried 3 times without succeeding. I exported my accounts in PST fille on the old computer, but importing them on the new computer is a nightmare.

What would be the best way would be to save the exported PST in a directory of my choice and simply point to them for Outlook to use them. Thing is, on Windows 11, Outlook is different, why ?

I want to use my new computer as soon as possible, but I can't find a way to setuip Outlook.

Thanks,

PII removed

5 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Dear Gilles Plante,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Community. I understand that you are having trouble migrating Outlook Classic from a Windows 10 computer to a new Windows 11 computer. I’m happy to assist you with this.

Windows 11 often includes the new Outlook app by default, which is a web-based experience replacing the old Mail and Calendar apps. To keep the same experience as on Windows 10, you need to install Outlook Classic (part of Microsoft 365 or Office suite) on your new PC.

Steps to Migrate Your Outlook Data

1. Install Outlook Classic on Windows 11

Sign in to your Microsoft account
Download and install Microsoft 365 or your licensed Office version.
Alternatively, install Outlook Classic via the Microsoft Store by searching for “Outlook for Windows (Classic)”.

2. Locate Your PST File on Windows 10

Default location: C:\Users<YourUsername>\Documents\Outlook Files\
Copy the .pst file to your new computer using a USB drive, external hard drive, or cloud storage.

3. Import PST File into Outlook Classic on Windows 11

Open Outlook Classic.
Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
Select Import from another program or file, then choose Outlook Data File (.pst).
Browse to your PST file, select options for duplicates, and click Finish.

Notes

If your accounts use IMAP or Exchange, most data is already in the cloud. Just add your accounts to Outlook on the new PC.
If you were using POP accounts, the PST file contains all your emails, contacts, and calendar data.
The new Outlook app can open PST files only in read-only mode and requires a Microsoft 365 subscription, so for full functionality, stick with Outlook Classic.

For further guidance , please see:

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Answer 2

Gilles Plante 0

@Alice-N ,

the procedurre depicted here may have worked. When I tried to import a PST file, I already had an account (Folder) :
User's image

It is a Microsoft account. I the tried to add an account, importing from a PST file. This is where the issue happens. When importing, I have to choices for the destination :

User's image

The Active folder is the (only) on already created.

User's image

Thing is the Dropbox lists only one folder, the one already created, whic is the Active one. I can't import in a new Folder, and that is what I need to. To succeed, I would need to be able to create an empty Folder before importing, or create a new empty Folder right from this dialogbox.

Is this a bug in Outlook (classic) for Windows 11 ?

I am still at square 1 regarding mving Outlook account unfortunately.

Many thanks,

PII removed

Alice-N 2,380 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-29T02:34:06.1266667+00:00
Dear Gilles Plante,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Community again. I understand that you want to import data into a new folder or PST file, but the built-in Outlook Import Wizard does not provide an option to create one during the import process. This is not a bug; the Import Wizard only supports importing into existing folders or data files.

To resolve this, you can use the Outlook Import Wizard tool, which provides the functionality to create and use a new PST file. Please kindly follow the steps below :

Step 1: Use Default Outlook Storage Mode

Adds messages to your default PST file.

Ensure Microsoft Office Outlook is installed on your computer.

Launch Outlook Import Wizard.

Select “Use default Outlook storage” mode.

The tool will automatically locate your default PST file in Outlook storage.

On older systems, this is typically located at: C:\Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook (Windows XP example).

If the default PST file is password-protected, enter the password when prompted.

If you have multiple Outlook profiles, enable “Choose Profile to import e-mails” and select the correct profile.

This mode is recommended for users who use a single PST file for all emails.

Step 2: Select Orphaned PST File Mode

Updates an existing PST file stored elsewhere.

In Outlook Import Wizard, select “Select orphaned PST file” mode.

Browse and select the PST file you want to update.

If the PST file is password-protected, enter the password before starting the conversion.

This option is useful if:

You have multiple PST files (e.g., separate Personal Folders for different users).

You need to add new messages to an existing PST archive.

Step 3: Create New PST File Mode

Create a brand-new PST file for your import.

In Outlook Import Wizard, select “Create new PST file” mode.

Choose a location on your local disk or removable drive to save the new PST file.

Name the PST file and confirm creation.

After creating the PST file:

You can use it in Microsoft Outlook.

Or update it later using Outlook Import Wizard.

This option is for:

Backing up your data.

Organizing emails into separate PST archives.

Reference:

Create an Outlook Data File (.pst)

Import email, contacts, and calendar from an Outlook .pst file

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Answer 3

Hornblower409-4652 2,110

-- save the exported PST in a directory of my choice and simply point to
-- them for Outlook to use them.

Do I understand correctly - You want to copy the PST to your new PC and add it to Outlook so the folders in the PST will appear in your folder pane?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/open-and-close-outlook-data-files-pst-381b776d-7511-45a0-953a-0935c79d24f2#id0ebbf=classic_outlook

Answer 4

-- I need to move my accounts

If the intent is to recreate what you had on your old PC exactly:

Setup each of your email accounts in Outlook on the new PC. This will create a new (empty) PST/OST file for each account.

Copy over your PST backups from the old PC.

For each account/PST you then Import the backup PST into that new account on the new PC.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/import-email-contacts-and-calendar-from-an-outlook-pst-file-431a8e9a-f99f-4d5f-ae48-ded54b3440ac#picktab=classic_outlook

Note step 7

If you're importing the contents of your .pst file into [a] Microsoft 365 mailbox, choose that mailbox here.

Answer 5

Alice-N 2,380 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Good day Gilles Plante ! I hope you're doing well!

It has been a while and i am writing to see how things are going with this issue. Have you had a chance to check the reply provided? Are you encountering any difficulties ? Please feel free to let me know if there’s anything I can assist you with.

Warm Regards

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Migrating Outlook from Win 10 to Win 11

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