Top 2 Tricks to Import PST to IMAP

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  • Updated on June 6th, 2024

If you are looking to import PST to IMAP, you are at the right place. In this blog, we are discussing how we can execute this process with the easiest procedure. We will talk about the manual method as well as the professional PST Converter. Before starting the blog to convert PST to IMAP, let’s get a quick overview of them.

User query:-

Hey everyone! Can I import a PST file into an IMAP account? Because I’ve been using Outlook for a while now, and I’ve got about 15 GB of stuff saved in PST format on my computer. I’m looking to move all that stuff to an IMAP account directly. I’ve looked on Google but I haven’t found a solution that works for me. Can you find me an easier way to do this??

Outlook uses the PST file format to save its email data. This file format is known as a personal storage table. It stores data like Calendar events, Contacts, Email messages, Attachments, etc. Moreover, you can also use it to archive older messages and items that are not used regularly. But, why do users need to import PST to IMAP?

IMAP or Internet Message Access Protocol, is an internet standard that allows email clients to access emails from a mail server. You can also access IMAP email from any device, directly from the server. That too, without downloading or storing the email on their device. Now let’s move towards the advantages of importing PST to IMAP.

Why Import PST Files to IMAP Account?

Users import their files for various reasons. Let’s discuss some of them:

  • IMAP lets you read emails even when you’re not connected to the internet.
  • You can check your emails from any device through an email server.
  • When you click on an email, it saves it for you to read later.
  • It’s also easy to move emails from one IMAP-enabled account to another.
  • If there’s an attachment in an email, it only downloads when you choose to open it.

These are some of the advantages. let’s discuss the manual and the professional method in detail.

Best of Two Solutions to Import PST to IMAP

We have found two of the easiest and most effective ways- the manual method and the professional method. You need to open Outlook for the manual method because it supports both PST and IMAP. However, the manual method has three major steps as mentioned below. However, the professional tool is a straightforward process. Let’s discuss all the aspects one by one.

Manual Method to Import PST Files to IMAP Account

Let’s talk about the manual method. To perform these steps you need to have the proper technical knowledge. Now let’s start with the steps:

Step 1: Save PST File on your System

  1. Launch Microsoft Outlook on your system.
  2. Go to the File menu >> Open & Export >> Import/Export button.
  3. Tap on Export to a file option and then hit Next.
  4. Click the Personal Folder File(.pst), then select Next.
  5. Locate the location to save the PST file and move further.
  6. Save the file you exported, then click “Finish”.
  7. After that, your PST file will be saved on the device.

Step 2: Configure IMAP Account in Outlook

You need to add your IMAP account to the Outlook application using the Add Account option. This enables you to view the added account’s mailbox. After that, you can easily import PST to IMAP account.

Step 3: Import Saved PST to Outlook

Follow the steps to begin the PST to IMAP Migration using Outlook:

  1. Open Outlook on your PC again then go to ‘File’.
  2. Next, tap on ‘Open & Export’ and then ‘Import/Export’.
  3. After that, select ‘Import from another program or file’, and then Next.
  4. Choose the option ‘Outlook Data File (.pst)’ and hit Next.
  5. Click on the Browse button and opt for the saved PST file.
  6. You can also choose options given to deal with emails and contacts > Next.
  7. Then, select the email account you want to import PST to and choose Finish.

Finally, Outlook will begin to migrate PST file data to your IMAP account.

Limitations of Free Procedure

While you convert PST to IMAP, you can encounter some restrictions. Such as:

  • As it is quite a lengthy process, it will take significant time.
  • Importing bulky PST files can be risky and may lead to data loss or corruption.
  • You can not migrate PST data selectively such as applying date filter.
  • Additionally, it allows you to import only one PST at a time.

To overcome its drawbacks there is a professional tool that can easily fulfill all your migration requirements. Moreover, you get some extraordinary features with the tool to make migration smooth and precise. So now let’s move towards to professional method steps.

Professional Method to Import PST to IMAP Account

The CloudMigration PST File Converter can easily perform your task to migrate PST file to an IMAP Account. This tool has many extraordinary features such as removing duplicates, selective data migration, etc. Let’s discuss them one by one.

  • You can directly migrate PST files to other email clients.
  • Allows to Convert PST to MBOX, OST, EML, EMLX, MSG, etc.
  • You can eliminate duplicates while migrating.
  • Enable users to import multiple PST files at once.
  • Data filter to convert a PST file data from a specific period.
  • All versions of Windows OS can install and support the tool.

Steps for PST to IMAP Migration

  1. Install the PST Converter Tool and run it as administrator.
  2. After that, add the PST files which you want to import and click Next.
  3. Select the desired file/folder from the preview and click Next.
  4. Choose the IMAP-enabled email client from the Save As menu.
  5. After that fill in the correct User ID and password to Log in.
  6. Now, tap on the Convert option. Finally, we have completed the process.

Conclusion

You have explored two of the easiest methods to import PST to IMAP. For various reasons, users need to import PST files to an IMAP account, but choosing the right procedure is also important. Therefore, before you begin the migration, make sure you have a backup of the PST file. Further, opt for a professional tool to avoid any data loss. Moreover, it has its demo version which is free to use and helps you to know its’ working experience.

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