'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Handle New Outlook PST Support and eDiscovery Impact
Question details
Organizations need to understand how migrating to New Outlook for Windows affects their existing litigation and eDiscovery workflows that rely on PST files.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- An organization is planning its migration to New Outlook but relies heavily on local PST files for legal holds and eDiscovery.
- Observed behavior
- New Outlook for Windows currently prioritizes OST files over traditional PST workflows, which disrupts established eDiscovery and litigation processes.
Before attempting to migrate your entire organization, audit your existing legal workflows to determine exactly how heavily your compliance team relies on exporting, importing, and searching local PST files.
Delay Migration and Continue Using Classic Outlook
The safest approach for organizations dependent on PST files is to pause the migration and retain Classic Outlook until Microsoft officially supports full eDiscovery workflows in the new version.
Because New Outlook for Windows is still under active development, it currently lacks parity with Classic Outlook regarding advanced PST handling. Organizations involved in active litigation should avoid disrupting their data collection procedures.
Instruct your IT administrators to disable the 'Try the new Outlook' toggle via Microsoft 365 administrative policies to prevent users from accidentally upgrading.
Continue using your established procedures for archiving, legal holds, and PST exports within the Classic Outlook for Windows client.
Notify your eDiscovery and compliance departments that the underlying email software will remain unchanged, ensuring their collection tools and PST procedures continue functioning without interruption.
Monitor Microsoft Roadmap for PST Updates
Keep track of upcoming feature releases so your organization can plan a safe migration timeline once PST eDiscovery capabilities are officially introduced.
Discover a Lightweight and Free Office Alternative
While you navigate email client migrations and Outlook compatibility concerns, consider WPS Office as a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office for your organization's document management.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Download WPS Office Free' button to get the latest version.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite on your Windows device.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents to experience perfect compatibility and seamless editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the New Outlook for Windows use OST files instead of PST files?
New Outlook for Windows is built with a cloud-first architecture designed to synchronize directly with Exchange servers using OST (Offline Storage Table) files. This modern approach improves sync speeds and cross-device consistency but temporarily disrupts legacy workflows that rely on local PST (Personal Storage Table) files.
Will New Outlook eventually support traditional PST workflows?
Yes, Microsoft is actively developing New Outlook and plans to introduce features that are currently missing. You should check the Microsoft 365 Roadmap for official timelines regarding advanced PST management and eDiscovery features.
Can I use both Classic Outlook and New Outlook on the same computer?
Yes, you can run both versions simultaneously during the transition period. This allows users to test New Outlook while relying on Classic Outlook for critical tasks like PST-based eDiscovery exports.
