How to Recreate an Exchange Account and Restore Outlook Data
Question details
The user needs to recreate a deleted Exchange account in Microsoft 365, sync it with an Android device, and import their previous OST or PST mailbox data.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows, Android
- Scenario
- Recreating an Exchange email account after temporary removal and restoring previous local mailbox data files.
- Observed behavior
- The user currently has a temporary personal SMTP account and needs to transition back to a fully synced Exchange environment with their historical data.
Verify your specific email hosting provider (such as Microsoft 365 Business or a third-party domain host) and locate the exact file path of your previous PST or OST data files before removing your temporary SMTP account.
Recreate the Exchange Account and Import PST Data
Set up your Microsoft 365 Exchange account in Outlook and use the Import/Export wizard to restore your emails and folders.
Before adding your new Exchange account, you must remove the temporary SMTP account to prevent conflicts. Once the Exchange account is active, Outlook allows you to import data from a PST file directly into the new mailbox.
In Outlook, navigate to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. Select the Email tab, click on the temporary personal SMTP account you wish to delete, and click Remove.
Still in the Account Settings window, click New. Enter your Microsoft 365 email address, click Connect, and enter your password to authenticate the Exchange account.
Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export. Select 'Import from another program or file' from the list and click Next.
Select 'Outlook Data File (.pst)' and click Next. Click Browse to locate your backup PST file, select 'Import items into the same folder in', choose your newly created Exchange account from the dropdown, and click Finish.
Sync the Exchange Account with Android
Add your Exchange account to your Android device using the Outlook mobile app for seamless email, calendar, and contact synchronization.
Manage Your Documents with WPS Office
While resolving your Exchange and Outlook setup, consider switching to WPS Office for your document management. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that lets you view, edit, and create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files effortlessly.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install and launch: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Once installed, launch WPS Office to access Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation.
- 3. Open email attachments: Save document attachments from your newly configured Exchange email and open them directly in WPS Office without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert an OST file to a PST file to restore my data?
Yes, but Outlook natively only exports to PST when connected to the original active Exchange account. If the Exchange account was deleted, the OST file becomes orphaned, and you will need a third-party OST to PST conversion tool to recover your data.
Why does my Gmail account only sync emails and not calendars in Outlook?
Gmail standardly connects to Outlook via the IMAP protocol, which only supports email synchronization. To sync calendars and contacts directly, you need an Exchange-based account (like Microsoft 365 or Outlook.com) or a specialized sync tool.
What is the difference between IMAP and Exchange?
IMAP is a basic email protocol designed solely to sync messages across devices. Exchange is a comprehensive mail server protocol that synchronizes emails, calendars, contacts, and tasks seamlessly across all connected devices and clients.
