Import pst file

Question

I prefer not to use Microsoft365 so purchased Office2024 for Outlook. When I try to import the pst file it says I need a Microsoft365 account. I have uninstalled the Microsoft365 apps but how do I "scrub the registry for anything that might be left behind"?

Answer 1

Did you make sure to purchase Office Home & Business 2024? (Office Home does not include classic Outlook.)

Also, keep in mind that many PCs include a preinstalled version of the new Outlook.

Make sure that you set up the classic Outlook before trying to import your PST file.

Answer 2

Hi,

Use the SARA tool to remove Office 2024 and 365. Start over again which should take care of the issue.

https://yourwindowsguide.com/2026/02/how-to-uninstall-microsoft-office.html

Here is how to use it:

• Go to https://aka.ms/SaRA-officeUninstallFromPC to open the Get Help App.
• When the tool opens, select Yes, and then click Next.
• Choose the option to uninstall Microsoft 365, then follow the steps.
• • The tool will automatically detect your Office version and remove Microsoft 365 completely using a PowerShell window. It may take 10 to 15 minutes.
• Once done, restart your PC.

I’m eager to hear back and work together to find a solution.

A Windows MVP writes content on the above website, so it is safe. However, do watch out for the ads. It should translate into your Browser language automatically.

Answer 3

Office 2024 for Windows uses the same underlying desktop apps as Microsoft 365, but activation and account prompts can still be tied to old Microsoft 365 licensing remnants on the device. The context provided does not include an official, step‑by‑step Microsoft procedure specifically for “scrubbing the registry” of Microsoft 365 licensing for Office 2024, so only supported guidance from the context can be given.

To import a .pst file without relying on a Microsoft 365 mailbox, Outlook must be running in a profile that is not tied to a Microsoft 365 subscription mailbox. In classic Outlook, importing from a .pst is done entirely within the Outlook UI and does not require a Microsoft 365 subscription if Outlook itself is properly activated with the Office 2024 license.

Once Outlook is correctly activated with Office 2024 (standalone) and opened with a non‑Microsoft 365 profile, use the built‑in import steps:

1. In Outlook, select File.
2. Select Open & Export > Import/Export.
3. Select Import from another program or file, then Next.
4. Select Outlook Data File (.pst), then Next.
5. Browse to the .pst file, choose the desired duplicate‑handling option, then Next.
6. Choose either:
   • The target mailbox/folder, or
   • Import items into the current folder to import into the folder currently selected.
7. Select Finish and wait for the import to complete.

If Outlook is still prompting for a Microsoft 365 account when importing, that indicates an activation/profile issue rather than a limitation of .pst import itself. The supported remediation in the context for similar “new Outlook vs classic Outlook / Microsoft 365 vs standalone” conflicts is to ensure the correct (classic) Outlook is installed and used:

• Install or reinstall classic Outlook using the official installer for desktop Outlook, not the new Outlook app tied to Microsoft 365.
• Make sure Outlook is activated with the Office 2024 product key and not signed into a Microsoft 365 subscription account.

After that, the .pst import wizard above should work without requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription.

---

References:

• Import email, contacts, and calendar from an Outlook .pst file
• Export emails, contacts, and calendar items to Outlook using a .pst file
• Open and find items in an Outlook Data File (.pst)
• Cannot download full desktop apps for Microsoft 365 (Family) - Microsoft Q&A
• How do I recover my old email messages, my contacts and everything else I had in Outlook? - Microsoft Q&A