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New Outlook for Windows stores its reported per-user configuration in %LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlkUserSettings.json, normally C:Users<username>AppDataLocalMicrosoftOlkUserSettings.json. PCWorld identified that filename and described copying it for backup or restoration in its October 8, 2026 report. Microsoft independently documents LocalAppDataMicrosoftolk as a new Outlook settings and configuration location, although Microsoft does not name UserSettings.json specifically.
The quickest way to reach the folder is to paste %LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlk into File Explorer’s address bar. Treat this JSON as a configuration backup, not as a complete mailbox backup: account policies, caches, credentials, messages and classic Outlook data can be stored or controlled elsewhere.
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What the hidden file is
UserSettings.json is a text-based JSON configuration file associated with the new Outlook app for Windows. The file is inside the current Windows user profile, beneath the normally hidden AppData directory. “Hidden” generally describes the parent profile path being hidden in File Explorer; it does not mean the file is encrypted or that it contains every Outlook setting.
The exact filename comes from PCWorld’s October 8, 2026 report. Microsoft Learn’s documentation confirms the parent Microsoftolk directory as one of the locations used for new Outlook user settings and configuration, but does not independently identify this JSON filename. That distinction matters when deciding what a copy can restore.
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Find UserSettings.json in File Explorer
- Open File Explorer and click the address bar.
- Enter
%LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlk, then press Enter. The environment variable expands to your signed-in Windows profile, so you do not need to type your account name. - Look for
UserSettings.json. If more than one Outlook account is configured, PCWorld reports that separate configuration files can appear in individual user folders; inspect those folders rather than assuming the first file is the only one. - Copy the relevant JSON file or files to a secure backup location. A protected cloud folder, an organization-approved backup location or a removable drive can hold the copy; avoid leaving the only backup in the same Outlook directory.
If File Explorer says the path does not exist, verify that you are using the new Outlook app and that the path is under your own profile. The Microsoft-documented package-specific directory is a separate location, and classic Outlook uses different files. Those distinctions are explained below.
If AppData is not visible
You do not need to make hidden items visible when you use the environment-variable path. Pasting %LocalAppData% directly into the address bar opens the hidden directory. If you prefer browsing, enable hidden items from File Explorer’s View menu, then open AppData, Local, Microsoft and Olk. Windows treats Olk and olk as the same folder name.
Check that you are in the right Windows profile
%LocalAppData% resolves to the profile of the account currently running File Explorer. If several people use the computer, or if you are signed in with a temporary or administrator account, you may be viewing a different AppData tree from the one used by Outlook. Compare the profile name in the expanded path with the Windows account that launches new Outlook. Do not copy files between profiles simply because the folder names look similar; account-specific configuration may not apply correctly.
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Close new Outlook before making a backup so that the copy is less likely to capture a file while it is being changed. Copy rather than move the JSON file, and retain the original folder structure in your backup notes. If several account-specific files are present, copy all of the relevant files and record which Windows profile and Outlook installation they came from.
- Preserve the original: never delete the source file before you have verified that your backup opens as a normal file and is stored somewhere separate.
- Protect access: use a location with appropriate Windows or organizational permissions. The JSON should be treated as configuration data, not posted publicly.
- Do not edit casually: JSON syntax errors can make a configuration file unusable. A backup is useful precisely because it lets you recover without guessing at individual values.
- Managed computers: ask your IT administrator before copying, replacing or changing application data on a company device.
A copy of this file is not a PST export, a message archive or a guaranteed credential backup. Microsoft documents additional caches, logs, web storage, IndexedDB/local storage and attachment-related subfolders beneath the new Outlook data area. The JSON is one configuration artifact within that broader local data set.
For a simple personal backup, a secure cloud folder or an external drive is sufficient; a generic USB flash drive is another possible destination if it is kept physically secure. No special capacity or speed is required for this small text file. Whichever destination you choose, avoid a folder that is automatically shared with other users, and retain at least one copy separate from the computer being repaired.
Verify a backup before changing anything
After copying, open the backup folder and confirm that the expected filename and a plausible file size are present. Do not save changes back to the original while inspecting it. If Windows reports that the file is in use, close Outlook and wait for its process to exit before trying again. A backup that was made while the application was writing may not represent a stable configuration state, so making a second copy after Outlook has fully closed is safer than relying on a partially copied file.
Restore settings using the reported procedure
PCWorld describes restoring the configuration by copying the backed-up JSON file back to its original location. Microsoft’s documentation confirms the folder but does not publish this restore method as a universal guarantee, so use it as a cautious, reversible troubleshooting step.
- Exit new Outlook and confirm that it is no longer running.
- Open
%LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlkin File Explorer. - Make a safety copy of the current file or folder before replacing anything.
- Copy your backup
UserSettings.jsoninto the matching original folder, allowing Windows to replace the current copy only after the backup is secure. - Start new Outlook and check the preference or account behavior that prompted the restore.
If the Olk folder is missing, PCWorld says to create it manually and then start Outlook so the configuration can be applied. That is a reported procedure, not a Microsoft-published promise that every missing-folder case will be repaired. If Outlook recreates a different structure, stop and preserve the newly generated files rather than repeatedly overwriting them.
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Restore only a file that belongs to the same Windows profile and matching account context whenever possible. A file from another computer may contain settings that refer to a different account arrangement, and restoring it can make troubleshooting harder. If the result is worse, close Outlook, replace the restored copy with the safety copy you made immediately before the test, and then launch the app again. This rollback does not recover mailbox content or credentials; it only returns the local configuration artifact to its prior state.
Three locations that are easy to confuse
New Outlook has more than one documented local path, and classic Outlook has its own data model. Use the purpose of a location—not just a similar-looking folder name—to decide what you should copy.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Purpose | Path | What it represents | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Outlook user settings and configuration | C:Users<username>AppDataLocalMicrosoftolk |
The documented configuration area that includes local data subfolders; PCWorld reports UserSettings.json beneath this area. |
Microsoft Learn confirms the folder; the filename and copy/restore procedure are from PCWorld, October 8, 2026. |
| New Outlook package-specific local data | C:Users<username>AppDataLocalPackagesMicrosoft.OutlookForWindows_8wekyb3d8bbwe |
A second Microsoft-documented location for new Outlook user settings and configuration, with package-related subfolders. | Microsoft Learn lists this path alongside Microsoftolk. |
| New Outlook application installation | WindowsApps package directory; the exact folder name changes with app-version updates. | Executable package files, not the normal user settings folder. | Microsoft provides a PowerShell command to discover the current install location. |
| Classic Outlook cloud-roaming settings | HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOfficeOutlookSettingsData |
Classic Outlook’s cloud-synced settings cache. | Documented by Microsoft Support; it is not the new Outlook JSON path. |
| Classic Outlook mail data | PST, OST, profile XML, signatures and related locations. | Mailbox data files and profile-related content used by classic Outlook. | See Microsoft’s transfer guide; these files should not be assumed to transfer new Outlook settings. |
Find the current WindowsApps installation path
The WindowsApps directory is protected and versioned, so searching for a fixed folder name is unreliable. Microsoft’s documented PowerShell command returns the current package installation location:
(get-appxpackage Microsoft.OutlookForWindows).InstallLocation
Run it in PowerShell under an account that can query installed AppX packages. The result identifies where the application package is installed; it does not tell you where to back up the per-user JSON configuration. Do not replace package files when you are trying to repair a preference.
The package directory can change after an Outlook update, while the user-data paths are intended to remain associated with the Windows profile. That is why instructions telling you to browse through WindowsApps may stop working after an update. Use the command only to inspect package information or troubleshoot installation issues, not as a substitute for the Olk configuration path.
New Outlook versus classic Outlook
New Outlook for Windows and classic Outlook can coexist, but their settings and data should not be treated as interchangeable. Classic Outlook’s cloud settings are cached under the registry path HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOfficeOutlookSettingsData, as described by Microsoft Support. Classic Outlook also uses PST and OST files, profile XML and signature files.
Microsoft says OST files for many Microsoft 365, Exchange and Outlook.com accounts are recreated when an account is added and cannot be moved between computers. Copying an OST therefore does not transfer account settings, and it does not apply the file to new Outlook. For classic Outlook’s supported transfer scenarios, follow Microsoft’s guidance at Find and transfer Outlook data files from one computer to another.
For information about classic Outlook’s cloud-synced settings, see Microsoft’s explanation at Information about storing Outlook settings in the cloud. Those instructions address a different client and storage mechanism than UserSettings.json.
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Why Microsoft documents two new Outlook folders
Microsoft Learn states, “All user settings and configurations are stored in:” and then lists both the package-specific LocalAppDataPackagesMicrosoft.OutlookForWindows_8wekyb3d8bbwe path and LocalAppDataMicrosoftolk. The wording describes documented storage areas, not a promise that every preference is represented by one file.
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Under Microsoftolk, Microsoft lists subfolders for items such as caches, logs, web storage, IndexedDB or local storage, and attachments. This explains why deleting one JSON file may not clear every symptom and why a complete local-data reset can have broader effects than restoring a preference file. Preserve the entire original area before undertaking destructive troubleshooting.
In virtualized-desktop or profile-management environments, administrators may redirect, reset or roam parts of the local profile. A file that appears on one session may be regenerated on another. Check the organization’s profile and application-management rules before assuming that a local copy will persist across sessions.
When a setting keeps disappearing
A missing preference does not automatically mean that UserSettings.json is damaged. New Outlook settings can be account-specific, while others are controlled at the organization level. Microsoft says many mailbox policies apply to both Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows, and that some features are scoped to an account while others are organization-wide.
- Only one account is affected: check the account-specific folder or policy context before replacing a global-looking file.
- Several users see the same restriction: an administrator policy is more likely than a local JSON failure.
- A setting returns after sign-in: server-side or mailbox policy may be reapplying it.
- The computer is managed: consult IT before changing local files or policy-related settings.
Microsoft’s policy guidance is available at Policy Management in new Outlook for Windows. It explains why a local file cannot always override an administrator’s configuration.
Troubleshooting the common path problems
The address-bar path opens nothing
Confirm that the variable is typed exactly as %LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlk, with percent signs and backslashes. The variable points to the profile of the signed-in Windows user. If you are browsing another user’s profile, permissions and the actual profile path will differ.
The folder exists but UserSettings.json does not
Check for account-specific subfolders reported by PCWorld, and make sure you are using new Outlook rather than classic Outlook. Microsoft’s official pages confirm the parent configuration area but do not promise that every installation exposes the same filename or structure at all times.
Outlook recreates the file
That can occur when the application starts and writes current configuration. Close Outlook, retain the newly created file, and compare behavior rather than repeatedly deleting files. If a restore is necessary, make a second backup of the current state before copying the older JSON.
The file is present but the preference is still missing
Check account scope and organization policy. A server-side policy, a mailbox setting or a feature that is not supported for the account can make a local restore ineffective. Use the policy documentation and your administrator’s guidance before escalating to broader data removal.
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You are looking in WindowsApps
That is the application package directory, not the normal per-user configuration location. Use the PowerShell command above to identify it only when you need package information; use %LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlk for the reported JSON file.
Windows denies access
Do not take ownership of protected system directories merely to find settings. The normal user configuration path should be accessible to the account that runs Outlook. If permissions are unusual, a company security tool, redirected profile or damaged Windows profile may be involved; contact IT instead of changing ACLs or deleting folders.
What this file can and cannot restore
| Likely role | What a copy may help with | What it should not be assumed to contain |
|---|---|---|
| Local new Outlook configuration | Preferences represented in the JSON and associated with the relevant user or account folder. | Every setting in the application, especially values controlled by mailbox or organization policy. |
| Local troubleshooting backup | Reverting to a known configuration state after an accidental change. | A complete mailbox export, message archive or universal credential backup. |
| Account-specific configuration | Settings for the matching account folder when the correct file is restored. | Settings for other accounts unless their separate files are also backed up. |
The evidence available for this file does not establish a success rate, a complete list of JSON keys or a guarantee that replacing it repairs every account-setting problem. Use it as a targeted, reversible configuration step.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A practical decision checklist
- Identify the client: confirm that the problem occurs in new Outlook for Windows, not classic Outlook.
- Open the documented area: use
%LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlkand inspect any account-specific folders. - Back up before changing: copy the JSON and, when troubleshooting broadly, preserve the surrounding
Olkfolder. - Check policy scope: determine whether the preference is account-level or organization-controlled.
- Restore cautiously: follow PCWorld’s copy-back procedure only after preserving the current state.
- Escalate managed-device issues: let IT decide whether local files or policy settings may be changed.
Microsoft’s documented paths at a glance
Microsoft Learn’s virtualized-desktop guidance is the authoritative reference for the two new Outlook configuration roots and for distinguishing them from the changing WindowsApps installation folder: Microsoft Learn: Outlook locations and virtualized desktop infrastructure. The page was updated April 14, 2026. It confirms the broad folders; PCWorld’s October 8, 2026 report supplies the specific UserSettings.json name and the reported copy-and-restore steps.
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Frequently asked questions
Is UserSettings.json the only place New Outlook stores settings?
No. PCWorld identifies that file under MicrosoftOlk, while Microsoft lists both that folder and the package-specific PackagesMicrosoft.OutlookForWindows_8wekyb3d8bbwe directory as locations for user settings and configuration. Microsoft also lists caches, logs, web storage, IndexedDB or local storage, and attachment-related subfolders. The JSON should not be treated as a complete inventory.
Does copying the file save my email and contacts?
No. It is a configuration copy, not a mailbox export. Messages and other mailbox content remain associated with the account or service, and local caches and attachments may be stored elsewhere. Use the appropriate Microsoft export or migration procedure when you need portable mail data.
Can I restore a file from another computer?
Only with caution. A file from another computer may refer to different accounts or policies. Preserve the current file first, restore only into the matching profile when possible, and undo the change if Outlook behaves unexpectedly.
Should I edit the JSON to change a setting?
That is not a supported general editing method in the documented material. Invalid JSON or an unexpected value can make the configuration unusable. Change preferences in Outlook, and use a copy-back restore only as a reversible troubleshooting step.
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Windows file paths are case-insensitive, so Olk and olk refer to the same directory on a standard Windows installation. Entering the environment-variable path is safer than relying on capitalization while browsing manually.
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What should I do on a work computer?
Ask the administrator before copying, replacing or deleting application data. Policies can apply to both Outlook on the web and new Outlook, and a local JSON replacement cannot reliably override an organization-controlled setting.
Bottom line for a backup or repair
Start with %LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlk, copy UserSettings.json (including any account-specific copies) to a secure location, and keep the original untouched. Do not confuse that user configuration area with the versioned WindowsApps package or with classic Outlook’s registry, PST and OST data. If restoring the file does not solve the problem, investigate account and administrator policy rather than repeatedly deleting local Outlook data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is New Outlook’s hidden settings file?
The reported file is %LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlkUserSettings.json, usually under C:Users<username>AppDataLocalMicrosoftOlkUserSettings.json. PCWorld reported the filename; Microsoft confirms the parent folder.
How do I back up UserSettings.json?
Close new Outlook, paste %LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlk into File Explorer, copy the JSON and any account-specific copies to a secure, separate location, and keep the originals in place.
Can replacing UserSettings.json fix a forgotten preference?
It may help with a local configuration problem. PCWorld describes copying the backup back to its original folder, but Microsoft does not guarantee that this procedure fixes every case. Account or administrator policy may be the real cause.
Is this path used by classic Outlook?
No. Classic Outlook uses different mechanisms, including cloud settings cached in the registry and PST or OST data files. Do not apply classic Outlook transfer instructions to new Outlook’s JSON file.
Why can’t I find the file?
Confirm that you are running new Outlook, use the exact environment-variable path, inspect account-specific subfolders, and verify that File Explorer is using the same Windows profile that launches Outlook.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: New Outlook’s reported configuration file is %LocalAppData%MicrosoftOlkUserSettings.json. Back it up by copying, not moving, and restore it only after preserving the current state. Microsoft documents additional configuration locations and policies, so this file is not a complete mailbox or settings backup.
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