485755 – Outlook: Read-only access to contacts within a PST file in new Outlook for Windows

Product:

Outlook

Platform:

Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Rolling out

Change type:

Links:

Details:

With this update of support for .pst files (a.k.a. Outlook Data File) in the new Outlook for Windows, users will be able to browse and read contacts within a .pst file. Future releases of new Outlook will expand the support for .pst file capabilities. #newoutlookforwindows #pstfilesupport.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-03-20

updated:
2025-08-19

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Limited User Functionality
Users will only have read-only access to contacts in PST files, limiting their ability to edit or manage contacts effectively.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/outlook-blog/outlook-read-only-access-to-contacts-within-a-pst-file-in-new/ba-p/3701230

Increased User Frustration
Users may experience frustration due to the inability to modify contacts, leading to potential disruptions in workflow and communication.
   - roles: End Users, Team Leaders
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/outlook-blog/outlook-read-only-access-to-contacts-within-a-pst-file-in-new/ba-p/3701230

Configutation Options**

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explanation for non-techies**

In the world of email and contact management, Outlook has long been a trusted tool for many professionals. Recently, a change has been introduced in the new Outlook for Windows that impacts how users interact with .pst files, which are essentially storage files used by Outlook to save emails, contacts, and other data.

Imagine a .pst file as a digital filing cabinet. Previously, users could open this cabinet and freely add, remove, or modify the files inside. With the latest update, users can still open the cabinet and look through the files, but they can only read the information on the contact cards without making any changes. This is similar to being able to flip through a photo album but not being able to add new photos or remove existing ones.

This read-only access means that while you can view all the contact details stored in the .pst file, any updates or changes you want to make will need to be done elsewhere, such as in your main Outlook contacts list. This change is part of a broader plan to enhance the functionality of .pst files in future updates, which may eventually allow for more interactive features.

For those who rely on .pst files for archiving or accessing older contact information, this update ensures that you can still access the data you need, even if it means doing so in a more limited capacity for now. It's a step towards more robust support for these files in the new Outlook environment.