New Outlook Classic Settings Import: Which options carry over and which do not

When you move from classic Outlook for Windows to the new Outlook for Windows, you can import many of your existing settings. Microsoft provides an import tool that reads your current configuration and applies it to the new app. However, not every setting transfers. Some options are not supported in the new Outlook architecture, and others must be reconfigured manually. This article explains exactly which settings carry over and which do not, so you know what to expect before you switch.

How the New Outlook Imports Classic Settings

The new Outlook for Windows reads settings from the classic Outlook profile stored in the Windows Registry and configuration files. When you first sign in to the new Outlook, it prompts you to import settings from your existing classic Outlook installation. The import process copies selected registry keys and XML configuration data. It does not replicate the entire classic Outlook environment because the new Outlook uses a different code base, cloud-first sync model, and user interface.

The import runs automatically during the initial setup. You can also trigger it later by going to Settings > General > Import settings. The tool only imports settings from the default classic Outlook profile. If you have multiple profiles, you must manually configure each one in the new Outlook.

Settings That Always Transfer

Some settings are shared between classic and new Outlook because they rely on the same underlying Exchange or Microsoft 365 mailbox configuration. These include:

• Account display name and email address
• Server settings for Exchange, IMAP, and POP accounts
• Automatic reply (Out of Office) configuration
• Delegate permissions (if already set on the server)
• Junk email sender lists (safe senders, blocked senders)
• Mailbox rules stored server-side (client-only rules do NOT transfer)

These items are stored on the mail server, not in the local Outlook profile. The new Outlook reads them from the server after you sign in, so they appear automatically without manual import.

Settings That Do NOT Transfer

Many classic Outlook settings depend on local registry entries or COM add-ins that the new Outlook does not support. The following settings are not imported:

• Customized Quick Access Toolbar and Ribbon modifications
• Email rules that run only on the client (client-only rules)
• RSS feed subscriptions
• Search folders (including unread mail and flagged mail folders)
• Custom views for folders (sort, filter, grouping)
• AutoArchive settings and archive policies
• Data file (.pst and .ost) locations and connections
• Add-ins installed from third-party sources
• Macro and VBA scripts
• Stationery and theme settings

These items must be reconfigured manually in the new Outlook or recreated using supported features.

Step-by-Step: Running the Import Process

Follow these steps to import your classic Outlook settings into the new Outlook. The import runs once unless you reset the new Outlook configuration.

1. Open the new Outlook
   Launch the new Outlook for Windows. If you have not signed in, enter your email address and password. The app checks for an existing classic Outlook profile.
2. Click the import prompt
   A dialog appears asking if you want to import settings from classic Outlook. Click Import. If you skip this step, you can start the import later from Settings > General > Import settings.
3. Wait for the import to complete
   The tool copies supported settings. A progress bar shows the status. The process takes 10 to 30 seconds depending on the number of accounts and settings.
4. Review the import summary
   After completion, a summary lists which settings were imported and which were skipped. Click Done to close the dialog.
5. Verify transferred settings
   Open Settings > Mail > Compose and reply to check your signature and message format. Open Settings > Calendar to verify work hours and time zone.
6. Reconfigure non-transferred settings manually
   Recreate client-only rules in Settings > Mail > Rules. Set up search folders by creating a new folder and applying filter criteria. Reinstall third-party add-ins from the Microsoft AppSource store.

When the Import Fails or Misses Settings

The import tool may fail to transfer settings in specific scenarios. Below are common problems and their causes.

Import button is grayed out or missing

This occurs when the new Outlook does not detect a classic Outlook profile on the same computer. Classic Outlook must be installed and configured with at least one email account. If you use a work computer with roaming profiles, the registry keys may not be available. Reinstall classic Outlook and configure your account, then restart the new Outlook.

Signatures import but images are missing

The new Outlook stores signature files in a different folder location than classic Outlook. The import copies the signature text and formatting, but inline images linked to files on the local drive do not transfer. To fix this, open the signature in Settings > Mail > Signatures and reinsert the images from your local drive.

Rules do not appear after import

Only server-side rules (rules that run on the Exchange server) transfer. Client-only rules that run locally in classic Outlook are not imported. To check if a rule is server-side, open classic Outlook, go to File > Manage Rules & Alerts, and look for rules marked with a server icon. Recreate client-only rules manually in the new Outlook.

Custom views and search folders are missing

The new Outlook does not support custom views (sort, filter, grouping) or search folders from classic Outlook. These features are built using a different data model. You can create equivalent functionality by using the Filter option in the new Outlook search bar or by creating a folder and applying a conditional formatting rule.

Classic Outlook Settings vs New Outlook Settings: What Transfers

Setting Category	Transfers	Must Reconfigure
Email signatures and templates	Yes (text and formatting)	Inline images
Message format (HTML, Plain Text, Rich Text)	Yes	None
Calendar work hours and time zone	Yes	None
Junk email safe and blocked sender lists	Yes	None
Server-side email rules	Yes	None
Client-only email rules	No	Recreate manually
RSS feed subscriptions	No	Add feeds again
Search folders	No	Create new search folders
Custom views (sort, filter, grouping)	No	Apply filters in search bar
Quick Access Toolbar and Ribbon customizations	No	Customize new Outlook toolbar
AutoArchive settings	No	Set up retention policies in Microsoft 365
Third-party add-ins and macros	No	Reinstall from AppSource

The table above summarizes which classic Outlook settings transfer to the new Outlook and which require manual reconfiguration. Use it as a checklist when preparing your migration.

You can now run the import process and know exactly which settings will appear. For settings that do not transfer, use the Settings menu in the new Outlook to reconfigure them one by one. If you manage multiple users, consider creating a configuration script that applies common settings through Group Policy or Microsoft Intune. The import tool is a one-time operation, so verify every setting before you disable classic Outlook on your computer.