Transfer Outlook data from Business to Personal Account

Use Outlook on Windows to do the import from the .pst file.

If the current app shows no Import/Export and no way to switch, that usually means the installed app is new Outlook without access to the classic import workflow. The supported paths are:

1. If classic Outlook is installed
   • Turn off the New Outlook toggle and switch back to classic Outlook.
   • In classic Outlook, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
   • Select Import from another program or file > Next.
   • Select Outlook Data File (.pst) > Next.
   • Browse to the .pst file.
   • Choose how to handle duplicates.
   • Select the personal mailbox as the destination, or choose Import items into the current folder.
   • Select Finish.
2. If only new Outlook is available New Outlook for Windows can import from a .pst file:
   • Open Settings > Data files > Import.
   • Under Outlook Data File (.pst), select Get started > Select file.
   • Choose the .pst file.
   • Select the folder to import, then Next.
   • Choose how to handle duplicates, then Next.
   • Select the personal mailbox from the Account list.
   • Choose the destination folder, then select Import.
3. If the .pst cannot be imported directly in the current setup Open the .pst as a data file instead and move items manually:
   • In new Outlook: Settings > Data files > Outlook Data Files > Add file.
   • Select the .pst and open it.
   • Then browse the file and move or drag items into the personal mailbox.

Important requirements for opening a .pst in new Outlook:

• Classic Outlook must also be installed.
• Classic Outlook and new Outlook must use the same architecture, either 32-bit or 64-bit.
• The account used in new Outlook must have a Microsoft 365 subscription.
• Outlook Data Files are not supported with the ARM version of new Outlook.
• New Outlook cannot be running in Safe or Recovery mode.

If the source mailbox was a Microsoft 365, Exchange, or Outlook.com account not accessed by POP or IMAP, the old .ost file cannot be moved to another computer or imported. Only a .pst export is usable for transfer.

For a business-to-personal move, the supported approach is manual export from the old mailbox to .pst, then import that .pst into the personal mailbox.

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• Import email, contacts, and calendar from an Outlook .pst file
• Import email, contacts, and calendar from an Outlook .pst file