How to use outlook .pst files with outlook 2021?

Yes. Outlook 2021 on Windows 11 can open and use .pst files created by Outlook 2013 on Windows 10.

A practical way to move and use them:

1. On the old Windows 10 PC, locate the .pst files
   • Typical locations:
     • C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Outlook Files
     • Or (older setups) C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
   • Copy the .pst file(s) to an external drive or other transfer medium.
2. Move the .pst files to the new Windows 11 PC
   • Copy them from the external drive into a folder such as C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Outlook Files on the Windows 11 machine.
3. Open the .pst in Outlook 2021 (classic Outlook)
   • Start Outlook 2021 on Windows 11.
   • Go to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File.
   • Browse to the copied .pst file, select it, and choose Open.
   • A new folder tree for that .pst appears in the folder list; mail, contacts, calendar items, etc., can be viewed, searched, and moved.
4. (Optional) Import contents into the primary mailbox
   • In Outlook 2021: File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
   • Choose Import from another program or file > Outlook Data File (.pst) and follow the wizard to merge items into the current mailbox.

If using the new Outlook for Windows on the Windows 11 PC, .pst files can still be opened, but classic Outlook must also be installed and of the same architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). In new Outlook:

1. Go to Settings > Files > Outlook Data Files.
2. Select Add file.
3. Choose the .pst file and select Open.

This allows browsing and managing emails in the .pst, including moving messages between the .pst and the mailbox.

References:

• Find and transfer Outlook data files from one computer to another
• Open and find items in an Outlook Data File (.pst)
• Open and close Outlook Data Files (.pst)
• Export emails, contacts, and calendar items to Outlook using a .pst file