Email Migration

What Outlook Data and Features Can Be Migrated? Complete Guide

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know which specific items are successfully transferred during an Outlook migration and which require manual reconfiguration.

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Planning or executing a migration of Outlook data to a new computer, a new profile, or the New Outlook interface.
Observed behavior: Seeking clarity on the expected outcome of a migration, specifically differentiating between automatically migrated data and settings that need manual setup.

Before you start

Before starting your migration, ensure you back up your current Outlook PST files and make note of your custom signatures and account credentials.

Solution 1Recommended

Items Automatically Transferred During Standard Migration

Understand the core data elements that are reliably transferred when migrating Outlook using standard export/import or cloud synchronization.

Most of your core communication and scheduling data is bundled together during a standard Outlook migration, especially when using an Exchange account or importing a complete PST file.

Transfer Emails and Folders

All your standard mail items, including the Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, and any custom folders you have created, will migrate over without data loss.

Sync Calendars and Meetings

Your calendar events, including single appointments, recurring meetings, and reminders, are inherently tied to your mailbox and will transfer seamlessly.

Migrate Contacts and Address Books

Your saved contacts, phone numbers, email addresses, and custom contact lists are included in standard PST exports or Exchange account synchronizations.

Transfer Tasks and Notes

Standard tasks and notes tied to your primary mailbox will migrate. However, be aware that some local notes may face compatibility issues in the New Outlook interface.

Solution 2

Settings and Features Requiring Manual Setup

Identify the personal customizations, security credentials, and configurations that typically do not migrate automatically and require your attention.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Outlook signatures migrate automatically?

No, email signatures are typically stored locally in a specific folder on your hard drive rather than in your mailbox data. You will need to manually copy the signature files from your old computer or recreate them in the new Outlook environment.

Does the New Outlook support all my old PST files?

The New Outlook for Windows has historically had limited support for local PST files compared to Classic Outlook. If you rely heavily on local PST archives, you may need to continue using Classic Outlook or import the data directly into an active Exchange mailbox.

Will my custom mailbox rules transfer to the new computer?

Server-side rules (such as those configured on Microsoft 365 or Exchange accounts) will transfer automatically. However, client-only rules configured locally on your machine will need to be exported and re-imported manually via the Manage Rules & Alerts menu.

Do I have to re-enter my email passwords after migrating?

Yes. For security reasons, Outlook does not export or transfer account passwords. You will need to re-enter your credentials and authenticate each email account when setting up your new profile.

Migration & Recovery