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How to Import PST Files to IMAP Account

Last updated on: December 19th, 2024 5 Min Read

If you’re involved in regular email communications and you are aware of some of the words IMAP, PST, and Outlook, among others. The basic idea is that Outlook utilizes PST files as database files. These situations can occur when you want to load Outlook PST files. Outlook PST files onto the IMAP server.

However, for a newbie this is crucial. Don’t worry. In this article we will talk about the most effective and simple methods as well as some related topics. Keep an eye out!

Before starting, let’s learn a little about the IMAP server

Many people are familiar with “IMAP,” but they do not know what it actually is, IMAP stands of “Internet Mail Access Protocol.” IMAP is a popular emailing technology that allows users to access emails stored on servers. The IMAP server lets users easily control their emails on various platforms. IMAP is very fast and effective.

It does not transfer email messages from server to your device. However, it does connect the data in the database to the personal device. The most efficient IMAP features include:

  • It is also possible to use it to connect your device to the internet when it does not have a reliable internet connection.
  • When you’re in need of these, just click their function and they’ll download all emails and show them all at once.
  • Individually downloaded emails are available when needed.
  • You can access messages sent to you through an email server on any computer that supports the IMAP protocol..
  • It saves space on local machines.

What is a PST file and what is the purpose of its use?

It is the Outlook PST document can be described as a file format used for databases to be used with Outlook. The PST file is an archive of your planned tasks including mail, task details, task emails contacts, information about tasks, as well as other details. The PST structure allows the exporting and importing of all of your schedule event information including emails, activities contacts, and other information to any computer system.

How to Import PST Files to IMAP

POP connections utilize connections that use the PST format to record data. It is believed that the POP Protocol is an outdated emailing protocol (these times, POP3 is the latest version of the same protocol). If you are using the protocol you will see all the emails that server automatically stored in your system might be deleted off the server. This was completely normal when users only had one computer to check their email.

In the past, email services spewed emails onto your local system and were able to allow you to delete these messages from the server. In the present day it is not logical since the average email user has to access their emails from a variety of platforms.

As well as the previously described IMAP server, we have added some features to the PST files that you must know about as follows:

  • Generally, the email server does not sync with PST documents.
  • Whenever PST files stored your email messages and calendars, you may view them without any network (Wi-Fi/Data).
  • PST files provide secure passwords for their information.
  • Client apps, including Windows Messaging, accept PST.
  • Both the Microsoft Exchange Application and Microsoft Outlook are available.

What is the most effective approach for importing PST files into the IMAP Server?

We think, rather than the manual solution, it is more efficient to use any PST Converter tool for this purpose. However, we have added a manual approach as follows. You should try to do this before going through any professional tool.

Create a PST file and export it to IMAP

IMAP does not provide email synchronization and it does not store or transfer other data objects, such as calendars, contact information documents, projects and so on. To load the PST document into your IMAP account for users first, you need to create the PST file first. Follow the steps below to create the PST file that has all components of the data:

  • Firstly, start Microsoft Outlook.
  • Then navigate to the “File” tab.
  • Select the “Open & Export” feature.
  • Choose the “Import/Export” option.
Manual Steps to Migrate Outlook emails to IMAP Server
  • Press “Export to a file.”
Simple Steps to Import PST Files to IMAP
  • Then select “Personal Folder File” and afterwards select Next.
  • To import contact information and calendars-timetables, check the “Include Subfolders” box in the “Export Personal Folders” window.
PST to IMAP Server Migration tool
  • Choose where you want to store the exported document and afterwards simply press the “Finish” icon.
  • Because IMAP is the primary server, this PST document is now stored on the IMAP server.

Even though it’s a manual technique, it’s quite easy. However, any inexperienced person can find it unsuitable for him or her for some reasons. like:

  • The technique is tiresome and time-consuming.
  • Professional expertise is necessary.
  • Bulk conversions are so challenging, in fact, almost impossible.

Use a third-party PST Converter tool

In reality, when Importing PST data into IMAP, we (even all experts) recommend professional tools rather than manual methods. In essence, import your PST files to an IMAP server can be extremely sensitive if you have important information on them, and you do not have backup copies. Thus, there’s an extremely high chance of losing data.

The majority of the time when using manual techniques, users are unable to execute the import or conversion procedure particularly those that batch convert. In the end, we believe an expert Email conversion is a great alternative.

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