Forum Discussion

DarylMark's avatar
DarylMark
Copper Contributor
Aug 07, 2025

Connecting new account to existing .pst file

I have a 365 subscription, so latest version of Outlook (Classic, not the "new" Outlook). Out of the blue it seems my account became corrupted, because I could receive emails but not send them. Nothing had changed in 8+ years, but they just sat in the Outbox.

So, I created a new IMAP account, and yes, that DOES fix it. I can now send and receive, but I have two accounts and two .pst files now, which I do NOT want. My old *.pst file has records going back 23 years, so yes, I'd like to hold onto it.

This used to be SUPER EASY to do, but Microsoft in their infinite wisdom has buried or hidden the settings to just create a new account connected to the old file, and for the life of me I cannot find it. AI and every guide I find keeps mention Accounts > Account settings then an Advanced button that just isn't there.

Is it possible to create a new account connected to the old one?

microsoft 365 apps
outlook

2 Replies

  • edwin_valentin's avatar
    edwin_valentin
    Copper Contributor
    Aug 10, 2025

    Hola Daryl, Lo que quieres hacer (conectar tu nueva cuenta directamente al PST antiguo para que sea el archivo de entrega principal) es algo que, lamentablemente, en la nueva interfaz de Outlook no está disponible todavía. Microsoft ha simplificado mucho el menú, pero en ese proceso quitó o mejor dicho, escondió varias opciones avanzadas que sí existen en el Outlook “clásico” de escritorio.

    Pero de momento esa opción sigue dependiendo del Outlook clásico y se gestiona desde el Panel de control de Windows.

    Te indico cómo puedes hacerlo:

    1- Cierra Outlook completamente antes de iniciar.
    2- Abre el Panel de control (puedes presionar Windows + R, escribir control y pulsar Enter).
    3- Busca y abre Mail (Microsoft Outlook).
    4- Haz clic en Archivos de datos… y selecciona tu PST antiguo. Luego pulsa Establecer como predeterminado.
    5- Ahora entra en Cuentas de correo…, selecciona tu nueva cuenta y busca la opción Cambiar carpeta (o “Cambiar ubicación de entrega”).
    6- Elige la Bandeja de entrada de tu PST antiguo y confirma los cambios.
    7- Si lo deseas, vuelve a Archivos de datos y quita el PST nuevo que creó Outlook para no tener duplicados.

    Con esto, tu nueva cuenta usará directamente el PST de siempre y no tendrás dos archivos separados.

    Espero a ver ayudado a tu consulta.

  • Kidd_Ip's avatar
    Kidd_Ip
    MVP
    Aug 10, 2025
    1. Open Your Old .pst File
    • In Outlook, go to:
    File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File

     

    • Browse to your old .pst file and open it.
    • It will appear in the folder pane as a separate set of folders.
    1. Set the Old .pst as Default for Delivery (if using POP)

    If your new account is POP, you can set the .pst as the default:

    • Go to:
    • File > Account Settings > Account Settings
    • Under the Email tab, select your new account.
    • Click Change Folder at the bottom.
    • Choose Inbox from your old .pst file.

     

    1. Workaround for IMAP Accounts

     

    • Keep the .pst file open in Outlook.
    • Drag and drop folders (Sent Items, Inbox, etc.) from the IMAP .ost into the .pst file.
    • You can store all your future emails in the .pst by manually moving them or setting up rules.

     

    1. Set the .pst as Default for Calendar & Contacts

    IMAP accounts don’t support calendar/contact syncing natively. To use your old .pst for those:

    • Go to:
    • File > Account Settings > Data Files
    • Select your old .pst file and click Set as Default
    • Restart Outlook

    This will make your old .pst the default for calendar and contacts.

Resources