How to convert from purchased (nonsubscription) version of Outlook to new Outlook without losing locally stored e-mails?

Question

I have a nonsubscription version of classic Outlook that is now frequently freezing up, which I believe is due to support for classic Outlook being discontinued. So, I would like to either continue using classic Outlook without the freezing or convert to the new Outlook without losing any of the emails stored in my classic Outlook. How would I go about accomplishing either of those things?

Answer 1

Currently, the new Outlook for Windows is in the opt-in stage, meaning that users can try it out if they have the toggle available in classic Outlook. However, as you are using a nonsubscription version of Outlook, it is important to note that nonsubscription versions such as Outlook 2021 or Outlook 2019 are not supported for the new Outlook experience.

To address your freezing issues with classic Outlook, you might consider the following options:

1. Troubleshooting Freezing Issues: You can try troubleshooting the freezing problem by checking for updates, repairing the Outlook installation, or creating a new Outlook profile to see if that resolves the issue.
2. Transitioning to New Outlook: If you want to transition to the new Outlook, you will need to ensure that you are using a supported version of Windows and that your Outlook version is compatible. Unfortunately, if you are on a nonsubscription version, you will not be able to switch to the new Outlook without upgrading to a subscription version.
3. Backing Up Emails: To prevent any loss of locally stored emails, you should back up your Outlook data files (.pst or .ost) before making any changes. You can do this by exporting your emails to a file or copying the data files to a safe location.

Since the classic Outlook will remain available until at least 2029, you can continue using it while addressing the freezing issues or consider upgrading to a subscription version to access the new Outlook features.

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References:

• Resolve deployment issues in the new Outlook for Windows
• Progressive stages of migration to new Outlook for Windows
• Plan your migration to new Outlook for Windows