Outlook Requires "Signed In" to access Outlook/Hotmail Accounts

I thought this might have been the result of a recent update, but it only affects one of my machines. Normally, I use Outlook without "signing in" to a Microsoft/ MS Office account. I independently, during account setup, set up my hotmail account. This was fine on both of my machines, going back a few versions of Office. However, since yesterday, Office 2019 on my laptop requires me to sign in to my Office Account in order to access e-mails. Otherwise, the hotmail accounts can't access the online exchange server (there is a little key logo in the bottom that says "Password Needed"). The prompt also tries to set it up so that Windows is logged into my Microsoft account. I figured out how to turn that off again. I've tried uninstalling Office 2019 and re-installing, and it still now requires sign-in. I'm not sure what changed, or if there is some new setting that is triggering this. What's weird is my desktop has the lasted updates and it isn't prompting me...I can still access all my e-mails without signing into an Office Account. Thoughts? Anyone else experiencing this?

P.S. The new Office uninstall/cleaner tool to try to make sure Office is completely uninstalled is not very good and leaves a lot more behind than the old version. I wish I could find the old one again.

Did you try creating a new mail profile?

I did, however I think I found a solution. Deleting and adding new profile didn't work because of Office's press to become more user friendly (not a bad thing)...it would simply try to restore the previous e-mail accounts. However, I was able to uninstall Office and then go into the Windows registry and delete the Office keys under Current User and Local Machine. After reinstalling Office this time, it seemed to work. Fingers crossed.

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Well my solution was only short-lived...eventually Office required me to add my Microsoft account back in to access Outlook.com accounts. Must be part of recent update.