Moved to Outlook classic and now all my contacts are missing

Check where the contacts still exist before changing the Outlook profile or deleting any data files; contacts that appear missing after switching clients are commonly in the online mailbox, a local “This computer only” folder, or the previous Outlook data file.[^1^](https://learn.microsoft.com/answers/a/12692138 "Outlook contacts not showing in "new" outlook - Microsoft Q&A")

1. Check the online mailbox first

1. Open Outlook on the web using the same Microsoft account configured in classic Outlook.
2. Open People and look in:
   • Contacts
   • Any contact subfolders
   • Deleted
3. If the contacts are present online but absent in classic Outlook, do not import another copy yet. This indicates that the contacts still exist and the classic Outlook account/profile needs attention. Contact Microsoft Support again and state:
   • Support remotely migrated the installation to classic Outlook.
   • Mail appears, but cloud contacts do not.
   • The contacts remain visible in Outlook on the web.
   • Ask them to check whether classic Outlook was configured with the same account and whether a new Outlook profile was created.

Contacts are stored and presented differently by new and classic Outlook, so mail appearing does not by itself confirm that the same contact store is attached.[^1^](https://learn.microsoft.com/answers/a/12692138 "Outlook contacts not showing in "new" outlook - Microsoft Q&A")

2. Look for a local Contacts folder in classic Outlook

In classic Outlook:

1. Select the People icon.
2. Expand every account and Outlook data file in the folder pane.
3. Look for:
   • Contacts
   • Contacts (This computer only)
   • Another data file or archive containing a Contacts folder

If the contacts are under Contacts (This computer only), export them before making further profile changes:

1. Select File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
2. Choose Export to a file > Comma Separated Values.
3. Select the populated Contacts (This computer only) folder.
4. Save the CSV somewhere safe.
5. Open it in Excel only to verify that names are present, then close it without saving.^2^

To place that copy in classic Outlook:

1. Select File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
2. Choose Import from another program or file > Comma Separated Values.
3. Select the CSV.
4. Choose duplicate handling based on which copy is more complete or current:
   • Replace duplicates with items imported if the CSV is better.
   • Do not import duplicate items if existing Outlook entries are better.
5. Select the Contacts folder beneath the intended account and choose Finish.^2^

3. If Support created a new Outlook profile

Before importing anything, close Outlook and preserve the previous profile’s files:

1. Press Windows+R.
2. Enter:

      %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook
   

3. Copy the contents to a safe backup location. Do not delete, rename, or overwrite the originals.
4. Look for the previous Outlook data file. If there is a usable .pst, import that specific file—not an arbitrary PST:
   • File > Open & Export > Import/Export
   • Import from another program or file
   • Outlook Data File (.pst)
   • Browse to the preserved PST
   • Select the folder containing the contacts and complete the import.^3^

If the former account was IMAP and the contacts were under Contacts (This computer only), removing the account or replacing its profile can make those contacts unavailable. The retained file in the Outlook folder might not be a directly importable PST. Preserve all files and return to Microsoft Support—or use a reputable recovery specialist—rather than recreating the profile or deleting data.^4^

4. Check deleted-contact recovery only if the contacts were deleted

In classic Outlook:

1. Open Deleted Items and search for the contacts.
2. If found, right-click them and select Move > Other Folder > Contacts.
3. If absent, select Deleted Items > Home > Recover Deleted Items From Server.
4. Sort by Subject, select the contacts, and choose Restore Selected Items.
5. Recovered items first return to Deleted Items; move them from there to Contacts.

The server recovery command may be unavailable for POP or IMAP accounts because it applies to recoverable mailbox items on supported accounts.^5^

References

1. Outlook contacts not showing in "new" outlook - Microsoft Q&A
2. [Classic Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/people/import-or-export-contacts-in-outlook-using-a-csv-file)
3. [New Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/import-email-contacts-and-calendar-from-an-outlook-pst-file#importing-in-new-outlook-for-windows)
4. Recover Contacts, Tasks & Appointments After Upgrading Microsoft Apps - Classic Outlook - Microsoft Q&A
5. [Classic Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/people/restore-or-recover-a-deleted-contact-in-outlook)