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I bought a new computer and Office 2015, but when I set up my Outlook, it tells me that Outlook data files require a Microsoft 365 subscription. It will not let me select the outlook.pst file that I transferred to the new computer. I have many folders with saved emails going back years, and I do NOT want them on OneDrive. I want them on my computer! How can I get Outlook to let me add the Outlook Data File with all my old saved emails?
Using New Outlook on Windows for personal email, calendar, and contact management
New Outlook only has limited support for .PST files at this time. Classic Outlook is what is needed here, please have a look at this article:
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Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.
You may be using the new Outlook for Windows, not the classic Outlook.
Microsoft recently added PST file support to new Outlook, but it has requirements. One of them is that the account signed into new Outlook must have a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft also states that classic Outlook must be installed on the PC.
If you purchased a standalone Office/Outlook license (not Microsoft 365), that would explain why you see the message about requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription.
The good news is that your PST file does not need to be stored in OneDrive. PST files can remain on your local computer.
To help narrow down the issue:
If you have classic Outlook installed, the simplest solution may be to switch to classic Outlook and then open the PST file from there. Classic Outlook has long supported local PST files without requiring OneDrive storage.
Let me know which Outlook version you have and I can provide the exact steps.
I have Office Home 2024. How can I tell which Outlook it is? I only see the one here.
There’s no Try the New Outlook toggle in the upper right corner…guess that means this is the new Outlook. How can I find the classic Outlook…I assume that it came with the Office 2024…?
Thanks, please check Outlook versions using these steps: https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Outlook/getstarted/what-version-of-outlook-do-i-have thanks
I tried downloading the Outlook Classic, but I get an error message saying that Office 2024 doesn’t support that version of Outlook, and asking me to sign up for Office 365!
The switch to Outlook Classic has been disabled by Microsoft. If you download Outlook Classic now, Office 2024 (like Office Home 2024) does not include the Classic Outlook desktop app. Microsoft restricts Classic Outlook to their Microsoft 365 subscriptions or Office Home & Business 2024 (or higher). For now, I would suggest uninstalling it and using Outlook New. Let me know how it goes.
If issue still persists. To help narrow down the issue:
I purchased the Microsoft Office Home 2024 with my new computer from Lenovo. They installed it, and didn’t give me a license key. Apparently the Microsoft ID works for that. The issue with Outlook New is getting the emails saved on the old computer into the new Outlook! This is my husband’s computer and he has folders of saved emails that go back years, and include some material that he cannot lose! How do I get the new Outlook to access those saved email folders?!?
If I buy Office Home and Business, and install it on the new PC, do I need to uninstall the Office Home apps before installing Office Home and Business? Do I need to uninstall them before downloading Office Home and Business?
Yes, you need to uninstall all Office apps first before reinstalling Office from your Microsoft account online.
Regarding the Office 2024 license, yes, there's no physical key if it was activated using a Microsoft account. Could you check your Microsoft account online to see if Office 2024 is listed there: https://account.microsoft.com/services? Thanks.
Yes. It is listed there. I don’t suppose there’s any chance I could get a refund if I uninstall it, and then install Office Home and Business…
Thanks for all your help. I downloaded and installed Office Home and Business, and the Outlook Classic works!
I am glad that worked.
If you don't have any more questions, if you'd like, you can click "Yes" below the response that provided the helpful solution. This way, any users who come across this thread with similar issues will find the steps and benefit as well. Thank you!
@Lea Novak said
I don’t suppose there’s any chance I could get a refund [for Office Home 2024]
You can try. All they can do is say "No".
See https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5829309/refdund-for-office-home-2024