New Outlook ICS Files: Import and open calendar files in New Outlook

You need to open a calendar file with the .ics extension in the new Outlook for Windows. The new Outlook does not use the same import system as classic Outlook. This article explains how to add an ICS file to your calendar so the events appear in your calendar view. You will learn the two main methods for importing ICS files and how to handle common problems.

How the New Outlook Handles ICS Files

The new Outlook for Windows is a rebuilt version of the email client. It uses a different code base than classic Outlook. Because of this change, the classic File > Open & Export > Import/Export wizard does not contain the same options. You cannot import a PST file or a CSV file in the new Outlook. ICS files are the only calendar import format that works natively.

An ICS file is an iCalendar file. It contains one or more calendar events. When you open an ICS file in the new Outlook, the events are added to your default calendar. They are not linked to the original file. If you delete the ICS file from your computer, the events remain in Outlook. You must delete them manually if you want to remove them.

The new Outlook supports two types of ICS operations: single import and calendar subscription. A single import copies the events into your calendar once. A subscription keeps your calendar updated when the source changes. This article focuses on single import. Subscription is covered in the comparison table at the end.

Steps to Import an ICS File in New Outlook

You can import an ICS file using the menu or by dragging the file into the Outlook window. Both methods produce the same result. Use the method that is faster for your workflow.

Method 1: Drag and Drop the ICS File

1. Open the new Outlook calendar
   Click the Calendar icon in the left navigation pane. Your calendar view appears.
2. Locate the ICS file on your computer
   Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder that contains the .ics file.
3. Drag the ICS file into the calendar pane
   Click the ICS file, hold the mouse button, and drag it into the Outlook calendar window. Release the mouse button when the cursor shows a plus sign.
4. Review the imported events
   A dialog box appears showing the number of events to import. Click OK. The events appear in your calendar with the same date, time, and subject as the original file.

Method 2: Use the Import Menu

1. Open the File menu
   Click File in the top-left corner of the Outlook window.
2. Click Open & Export
   In the left pane, click Open & Export. A list of options appears.
3. Click Import/Export
   Under Open & Export, click Import/Export. The Import and Export Wizard opens.
4. Select Import an iCalendar (.ics) file
   In the wizard, click Import an iCalendar (.ics) file. Then click Next.
5. Browse to the ICS file
   Click Browse, select the ICS file from your computer, and click Open. The file path appears in the wizard.
6. Choose the target calendar
   Select the calendar where you want the events to appear. The default is your main calendar. Click Import.
7. Confirm the import
   A dialog box shows the number of events imported. Click OK. The events are now in your calendar.

Common Problems When Opening ICS Files in New Outlook

The ICS file does not open when double-clicked

Double-clicking an ICS file may open it in a web browser or a text editor instead of Outlook. This happens when the file association for .ics files is set to a different program. To fix this, right-click the ICS file, select Open with, and choose Outlook (new). If Outlook does not appear in the list, click Choose another app and browse to the new Outlook executable. The default location is C:\Program Files\WindowsApps but the exact path varies. It is easier to use the drag-and-drop method described above.

Imported events show the wrong time zone

ICS files store events with a time zone identifier. If the time zone in the ICS file does not match your calendar settings, the events appear at the wrong time. To correct this, open an imported event, click the event to edit it, and change the time zone in the event details. Future imports from the same source may require you to adjust the source file before importing. You can also set your calendar time zone in Outlook by going to Settings > Calendar > Time zones.

Events appear in the calendar but are not editable

If the ICS file was created by a third-party service and marked as read-only, the events may appear as read-only in Outlook. You cannot edit the subject, time, or location of these events. To work around this, create a new calendar in Outlook, import the ICS file into that calendar, and then copy the events to your main calendar. The copied events become editable.

The Import an iCalendar (.ics) file option is missing

This option is only available in the new Outlook for Windows. If you are using Outlook on the web or the macOS version, the menu path is different. On the web, click Add calendar > Upload from file. On macOS, drag the ICS file into the calendar list. If you are using classic Outlook, use File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Import an iCalendar (.ics file).

Item	Single ICS Import	Calendar Subscription
Description	Copies events from an ICS file into your calendar once	Subscribes to an online calendar that updates automatically
Source	Local file on your computer	URL of an online ICS feed
Updates	No automatic updates after import	Calendar refreshes when the source changes
Menu path	File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Import an iCalendar (.ics) file	File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Import RSS Feeds and Calendars
Best for	One-time events such as a conference schedule	Recurring events such as a team holiday calendar

You can now open any ICS file in the new Outlook using drag and drop or the import menu. Both methods place the events directly into your calendar. If you need to keep a calendar updated from an online source, use the calendar subscription feature instead of a one-time import. As an advanced tip, you can create a rule in Outlook that automatically moves imported events to a specific calendar folder by using the Move to Folder option in the Rules wizard.