I bought Office 2016 and it is working nicely. I especially like the functionality of having my Outlook email.pst files on my computer which I save each year. I can open each year's email.pst file going back to 1999 and I find it very convenient. What happens to my Outlook 2016 .pst files when I start using the new web based Outlook (2020)? Can this new version of Outlook (2020) that comes with the new web based Office applications allow me to save my email.pst files going forward? If so, where will these new Outlook (2020) email.pst files be stored? Will I be able to open email.pst files from 1999 when I start using the new Outlook (2020)? Thanks

Web Based Email clients can not access or create pst files. Only the Windows client you are using now can do that so you will need to continue to use Office 2016/2019 if you want to use pst files. Alternatively, import the pst files into your mailbox and the Web based client can then access those.

I suddenly have web based Outlook, Powerpoint, Excel and Word installed (for free) on my PC.

Accepted answer

Andy David - MVP 151.2K Reputation points MVP

2020-10-15T13:36:28.557+00:00

Web Based Email clients can not access or create pst files. Only the Windows client you are using now can do that so you will need to continue to use Office 2016/2019 if you want to use pst files.

Alternatively, import the pst files into your mailbox and the Web based client can then access those.
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Suzanne Parent 26 Reputation points

2020-10-15T13:58:37.443+00:00

Thanks Andy. That is what I thought but I wasn't sure. When you say "import the pst files into your mailbox and the Web based client can then access those" I am wondering if you can "export" the mail to a .pst file? From what I understand .pst files can be used by other mail clients, not just Outlook.

Andy David - MVP 151.2K Reputation points MVP

2020-10-15T14:06:07.457+00:00

You can export to a pst from Outlook, yes, but you cant export from the web based client.
Pst files are Outlook specific, but there are other non Microsoft mail clients that import them.

Bottom Line: keep using the Windows Outlook if you want to use psts as well :)

Suzanne Parent 26 Reputation points

2020-10-16T01:35:43.083+00:00

Andy,

Just a quick planning follow-up.

Do you think Microsoft planning to get rid of the email.pst files? Should I look into migrating to Gmail now rather than wait for Outlook obsolescence?
There are tools to migrate to Gmail.
2. Google GAMMO Tool
The Google GAMMO Tool is an interesting way to view PST files without Outlook. This tool is free and was developed by Google to migrate your emails within a PST file to Gmail. This tool allows you to import mail, calendars and contacts into Google mail as well as include only the folders you wish to convert.

Andy David - MVP 151.2K Reputation points MVP

2020-10-16T11:59:46.503+00:00

I don't think psts are ever going away, no. I wouldn't worry about that! :)

Suzanne Parent 26 Reputation points

2020-10-16T12:25:20.23+00:00

Thanks again.
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I suddenly have web based Outlook, Powerpoint, Excel and Word installed (for free) on my PC.

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