Is there a way to sync outlook desktop with outlook online and/or outlook mobile?

I can't believe I made the stupid mistake of getting another windows computer and further, purchasing office365. My Outlook email inbox doesn't sync with the desktop app (Why is there even a separation??? SO stupid). And, there are no categories for my calendar unless I use the browser version (which doesn't show my emails). This is beyond stupid. Categories and the calendar (which I was happy with at work) was the very reason I even considered giving windows another shot. What a waste of my money. I'm so disappointed and feel like I was sold a bill of goods. The last time I bought a windows product was in the 2000s. I'm so stupid for attempting to return to windows when my Apple ecosystem was without hassle. I've been back to windows for a WEEK and already I'm finding a 25 year old lack of synergy. Ohhh, I'm SOOOOO happy I subscribed to office 365 and now its **** pointless. This is the absolute last time I'm ever purchasing a windows product again. I am done. I can't believe bought all this new stuff for my business and its useless for the very reason I purchased it. I've wasted my time, energy, money, etc and the only way to view my emails is on the damn laptop. Unbelievable

Hi Glenn

There was no clear solution to my query.

I don't really have the time to peruse articles if they don't have a solution. i may have a look if i get a gap. Please let me know when you have a solution.

Thanks!

Hi Glenn

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-give-feedback-on-microsoft-365-2b102d44-b43f-4dd2-9ff4-23cf144cfb11

this link takes me to a page but clicking on any of the buttons has no effect.

I would request that you post our chat on that platform rather than me running from site to site. it a pet peeve of mine when communicating with a company's service center and they palm you off on another number,porcess,department.

i am somewhat bemused that what i am asking for has not been identified and developed by microsoft at least 10 years ago. its what everyone wants. its what you/microsoft/experts should have pioneered agers ago. its apparently what apple has offered for ages. how is it that microsoft could need my input on this in 2023...?

i think possibly the simplest solution is to house the desktop/local pst in onedrive and have it live sync with an identical cloud/online version of outlook desktop. accounts folders, etc...all that, verbatim. alternative options may have benefits or even be better but simplest to implement with access from any device is probably like this.

thanks, Glenn!

Good evening, Ben.

You do make excellent points about the pros and cons of the various email protocols. In fact, it's the kind of feedback our engineering team would like to hear. Thus, we highly encourage you to provide this as feedback using the steps from the guide below.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-give-feedback-on-microsoft-365-2b102d44-b43f-4dd2-9ff4-23cf144cfb11

As noted in the link: "We’d love to hear from you about what’s working well, what’s not, and any ideas for improvements including possible new features and functions. Your input will help us improve the user experience for you and all Microsoft 365 users worldwide.

To make your feedback more actionable, please include a screenshot (where applicable). Also, preferably, select the option to allow us to contact you, then provide your email address."

Now as for your questions about syncing a PST file to the cloud and thus making it accessible to any device, I'm afraid there's no simple and elegant solution. One possible solution you might want to explore is a permanent transition to IMAP which involves the following:

1. Add your current email account as an IMAP account to Outlook application.
2. Load your most updated PST file to that same Outlook app.
3. Do a copy and paste between the PST file and your IMAP account until you get to the point that it's organized the way you want it to be.
4. After that's done use IMAP moving forward on all devices and abandon POP3 altogether.

Thanks again for choosing Microsoft! We’re here when you need us.

Respectfully,

Glenn Rue

Good morning, Ben.

Thanks for reaching out to our Microsoft Community Forum. Please accept our warmest regards and sincerest hope that all is well.

We understand that you have some questions and even suggestions about synching email between multiple devices and especially prefer POP3.

As explained in the link below, POP3 is an older protocol that was originally designed to be used on only one computer. Unlike IMAP that uses two-way synchronization, POP3 only supports one-way email synchronization. In addition, it only allowing users to download emails from a server to a client.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/what-is-the-difference-between-pop-and-imap-85c0e47f-931d-4035-b409-af3318b194a8

By virtue of having two-way synchronization, IMAP will allow you to have Outlook look the same regardless of what device you are using, as you put it. To quote the link above: "With IMAP accounts, messages are stored in a remote server. Users can log in via multiple email clients on computers or mobile device and read the same messages. All changes made in the mailbox will be synced across multiple devices and messages will only be removed from the server if the user deletes the email."

I should point out as well that both IMAP and POP3 are not Microsoft standards. These are actually industry standards so any changes to it needs to be agreed upon my multiple companies and not just by Microsoft.

There's a third unique protocol though that Microsoft came up with called Microsoft Exchange. In a nutshell, it's IMAP on steroids. It not only syncs emails but calendars and contacts as well. However, it is only available to folks using a Microsoft account i.e. @Outlook.com or @Hotmail.com addresses. Refer to link below for more details.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/what-is-a-microsoft-exchange-account-47f000aa-c2bf-48ac-9bc2-83e5c6036793

Feel free to reply to this thread if you need further clarification.

Sincerely,

Glenn Rue

Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community