Email has become the most necessary part, especially for professionals, for communicating with others. OLM and PST email files are from Microsoft Outlook for saving and sharing data. When you use Outlook on a Windows computer, it stores data in PST files. On the other hand, for Mac users, the data is stored in OLM format. However, users have more preference to use Windows OS over than the Mac OS. To solve this, people often search for ways to convert OLM to PST. This article is here for you to accomplish the conversion.
The following blog will discuss different ways to accomplish the conversion process. Moreover, users can also use the OLM to PST Converter to perform the bulk conversion without data loss. Before jumping towards the solutions, you should know the common reasons for changing file formats.
Need to Change OLM to PST Format
There are a few reasons why people might want to change OLM files to PST format. Here are some common ones:
- Switching from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows: If you use Outlook on a Mac but now want to switch to a Windows computer, you need to change the OLM file to PST format. It’s like making your old emails compatible with the new Outlook.
- OLM Compatibility Issue: OLM files work only with Mac’s Outlook. So, if you want to move your Mac Outlook emails somewhere else, you have to change the file type to something more flexible.
- More Features in Outlook for Windows: Outlook for Windows has more cool things and is more modern than the Mac version. People often want to bring their emails into the Windows version to enjoy these extra features.
- Access Email Messages Together: Sometimes, people just want to see and handle all their emails in one place. Changing OLM to PST helps in managing both Mac and Windows mailbox data at the same time.
In simpler terms, converting OLM to PST makes your emails work when you switch computers or if you want to use a better version of Outlook. Now, we will discuss different ways to accomplish the conversion process.
How to Convert OLM to PST?
The following section will discuss two ways to perform the conversion process. First, we will describe it manually and then accomplish it using the third-party tool.
#1. Convert OLM to Outlook PST Manually
Here, we will discuss the following method into four sub-parts. Follow them very carefully.
Step 1: Connect Your Email Account to Mac Outlook
- First, open Gmail and log in.
- After that, click the gear icon, go to Settings, and choose Forwarding & POP/IMAP.
- Turn on the IMAP option and save changes.
- In Outlook for Mac, go to Preferences, click Accounts, and add your Gmail account using the plus sign (+).
Step 2: Transfer OLM File Data to the Email Account
- Next, open Outlook for Mac and find your Gmail ID on the left.
- Further, drag-drop the OLM file data onto your Gmail ID to move everything.
Step 3: Connect the Same Email Account to Outlook for Windows
- Now, open Outlook on Windows and go to the File tab.
- Then, choose Add Account, enter your Gmail email, and click Connect.
- Enter the password and click Connect again.
- When you see the ‘Account successfully added‘ message, click Done.
Step 4: Export OLM Emails from Gmail to PST Format
- Afterward, open Outlook on Windows and check your data.
- Go to File, then Open & Export, and choose Import/Export.
- Next, select Export to file and click Next.
- Choose Outlook data file (.pst) and click Next.
- Pick your Gmail ID with the OLM data and click Next.
- Click Browse, set the output folder path, and hit Finish.
- At last, you now have a new PST file with all your OLM data.
These steps make it easy to switch your email data from Mac to Windows using Gmail. Here, we’ve mentioned a way to convert OLM to PST manually. But the point is that the above solution has some limitations.
Drawbacks of Performing it Manually
So, those were the hands-on ways to change OLM files to PST. They’re free, open to everyone, and work with Outlook versions like 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010. People have shared a few hiccups they faced while doing this manually:
- It’s slow and takes time.
- Make sure not to miss a single step in the OLM to PST switch.
- The steps can get tricky compared to other methods.
- You might need some tech skills to pull it off.
- You could lose some data during the move.
- No promises to keep your data super safe.
- You can only move a limited chunk of your mailbox at a time.
To overcome all the challenges, follow the upcoming section.
#2. Reliable Solution to Convert OLM files to PST
OLM to PST Converter Tool is a helpful tool that changes your Mac OLM files into PST files. If you’re switching from a Mac to a Windows computer and use Outlook, this tool is the best for you. It’s a time-saver, too, because you can convert a bunch of OLM files to PST all at once. Moreover, this wizard maintains the data integrity and allows users to view their files in a preview panel. Now, we will discuss the workings of this utility to clear all your doubts.
Steps to Convert Outlook OLM Files to PST in Bulk:
- First, download, Install, and Run OLM to PST Converter on your screen.
- After that, pick the ‘Single Files‘ option and find your OLM file by clicking ‘Next.’
- Then, choose the folders you want to convert and hit ‘Next.’
- Now, choose the PST as Saving Format from the drop-down list.
- Here, add any extra features you need and pick where you want to save the converted files.
- At last, hit ‘Convert‘ to start the OLM to PST conversion.
Final Words
Converting OLM to PST moves your email stuff from a Mac to a Windows computer. It’s important to know why you’re doing it and pick the best way so everything runs smoothly. Whether you’re doing it manually, using special software, or going online, just be careful with your emails. Keep them safe and make sure everything stays how it should. Follow the steps to convert OLM to PST to keep your email stuff secure and correct while you make the switch.
Also Read: Open OLM File On Mac