Email Migration

How to Transfer Student Office Emails to Microsoft 365 or Outlook

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to migrate important emails from a college-provided Office account to a personal or business Microsoft 365 account before the school account expires.

Product: Microsoft Outlook / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Mac OS
Scenario: Graduating or leaving a college and needing to migrate important emails from a temporary student account to a permanent Microsoft 365 account.
Observed behavior: The goal is to safely export student emails to a local data file and import them into a new personal or business account before school access is permanently revoked.

Before you start

Ensure you have active access to both your student email account and your new personal or business Microsoft 365 account, and verify that the Microsoft Outlook desktop application is installed on your computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Transfer Emails Using Outlook Export and Import

The most reliable method to transfer emails is to add both accounts to the Outlook desktop app and migrate the data using a local backup file.

While you may be using Mac Mail, the cleanest way to migrate emails directly between Microsoft 365 accounts is by using the official Microsoft Outlook desktop application. This process involves exporting your student emails into a data file and then importing them into your new destination account.

Add Accounts to Outlook

Open the Microsoft Outlook desktop application and add both your temporary student account and your new personal or business Microsoft 365 account.

Access the Export Tool

Click on 'File' in the top menu, navigate to 'Open & Export', and select 'Import/Export' to launch the wizard.

Export Student Emails

Choose 'Export to a file', select 'Outlook Data File (.pst)', and select the specific email folders from your student account that you wish to backup and transfer.

Save the Data File

Choose a secure location on your local computer to save the exported .pst data file and complete the export process.

Import to New Account

Re-open the Import/Export wizard, select 'Import from another program or file', choose your saved data file, and specify your new personal or business Microsoft 365 account as the import destination.

Time-sensitive action: You must complete this export process before your school officially deactivates your student account. Once deactivated, the server access is cut off and stored emails may be permanently lost.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Need a Productivity Suite for Your New Account? Try WPS Office

If you are transitioning away from your student Microsoft 365 subscription and need a powerful, free office suite for your personal device, WPS Office provides excellent tools for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without the high subscription costs.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Start Creating: Launch WPS Office to easily open, edit, and save your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files natively.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Free and lightweight alternative to costly Microsoft 365 subscriptions.Familiar, easy-to-use interface that requires no learning curve for seamless migration.Built-in PDF editing tools for managing and annotating your exported school documents.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my emails after my student account has been deactivated?

No. Once the school deactivates your student account, you will lose access to the email server, meaning you cannot export or forward your emails. You must back up your data before your graduation date or account expiration.

Will exporting a data file remove the emails from my student account?

No, exporting to a data file simply creates a local copy of your emails on your computer. The original emails will remain untouched in your student account until the school closes it.

Can I use Mac Mail to transfer these emails instead of Outlook?

While you can export mailboxes as .mbox files from Mac Mail, importing them directly into a Microsoft 365 account can be complex and often requires third-party tools. Using the Outlook desktop app and its native export/import features is the most reliable method.

Do my folder structures remain intact when importing a .pst file?

Yes, when you import an Outlook data file into your new Microsoft 365 account, the original folder structure, including your custom subfolders, is typically preserved exactly as it was.

Migration & Recovery