Top Methods to Import PST to cPanel Webmail – Ultimate Guide

Why is Importing PST Files into cPanel a Challenge?

PST (Personal Storage Table) files are Outlook’s proprietary format for storing emails, contacts, calendars, and other data. cPanel Webmail (Horde/Roundcube) uses IMAP instead of PST, making it impossible to upload a PST file directly.

The PST file must be imported into an IMAP-configured client. Or migrated using a compatible tool that allows for direct PST import to IMAP.

Use Cases to Transfer Outlook PST to cPanel

• Migrating your organization from Exchange/Outlook to cPanel.
• Switching hosting providers where cPanel is only available.
• Restoring old and possibly archived user data from PST files.
• Converting legacy mail history in a user archive into a new IMAP enterprise system.
• Centralizing workflow by moving away from user local storage (PST) files into cloud server-maintained mailboxes.

With the aforementioned reasons, you can identify the need for this migration. So, let’s proceed with the main highlight of the context.

How to Import PST to cPanel Webmail Efficiently?

With the advancements and several options available, the import has become a feasible task for everyone. Still, some unavoidable cons come alongwith the manual procedure. Below you will find out all about it and a professional tool that overcomes these difficulties without any trouble. But, before you proceed with this migration, some prerequisites must be fulfilled.

Pre-Migration Checklist

• The cPanel interface is on during the server migration.
• Cross-verify that DNS records stay the same.
• Make sure to have all credentials, including IMAP Host and Port.
• For data in a separate folder, create one beforehand at the target location.
• Choose the cPanel account that owns the email address as the admin.

Lengthy Way to Import PST Files from Outlook to cPanel

If you have access to your active Outlook account, then this method is suitable for you. But it is only suitable for smaller sets of migration and may require effort. The steps to follow are:

Step 1: Configuring Outlook and cPanel Account

1. In your Outlook profile, move to File, and click Add Account.
2. Input the email, password, and details for your cPanel account.
3. Further, if adding manually, use the following IMAP credentials:
• In and Out Server: mail.yourdomain.com
• Port In 993 and Out Port 465/587
• In and Out Encryption: SSL
4. Finally, press Done to sync cPanel within Outlook.

Step 2: Import PST to cPanel Webmail

1. Now, from the File Open and Export, choose the Import/Export wizard.
2. Once it opens, select the Import from another program or file option and tap Next.
3. Further, choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and tap Next to browse PST files in your Outlook.
4. Choose other options and click Next to specifically pick the folder for the import from PST.
5. Afterward, choose the cPanel folder in which you need to save the emails and click Finish.

Note: Ensure that you choose IMAP as the option for cPanel configuration because it is not possible with POP3.

Loopholes:

• Requires MS Outlook installation on your system and technical skills.
• Slow with large and bulky PSTs, which can result in loss or missing data.
• IMAP can freeze or time out in between, and folder mapping can break.
• Additional filters and settings aren’t available in this method.

Indirect Way to Import PST Files into cPanel

In this method, you first need to convert PST to MBOX. This is because the MBOX format is supported by cPanel clients. Do this either with Thunderbird, or you can import PST to Apple Mail. Either way, you will receive a resultant MBOX file. Once received, follow these steps:

1. Open the Horde or Roundcube Webmail interface.
2. Next, create a new folder in it and right-click it.
3. Choose Import from the options and click on Browse.
4. Further, select the MBOX file from the system and click OK.
5. Lastly, the cPanel account will automatically start fetching the data.

Note: This method too has limitations similar to the above manual method and is quite hectic to perform.

Recommended Way to Import PST to cPanel Webmail

SysInfo PST Converter Tool is a highly reliable and all-in-one solution for your bulk-level migrations. It enables the import of multiple PST files of any size at once with accuracy and precision directly to the cPanel account securely via IMAP. Additionally, its easy-to-use interface is suitable for all novice and tech experts and works across all major OS versions. Moreover, it provides a scalable workflow without Outlook installation and automatically handles everything.

Whether it is high-speed transfers or folder structure and email content preservation, the tool performs at its best. It leaves no scope for downtime, loss, and also has a “Demo Version” for pre-evaluation and a few free conversions with 24*7 Expert Support.

05 Steps to Import PST Files from Outlook to cPanel

1. Start your PST File Converter and click Next to load the Outlook data files.
2. Further, choose the PST files and folders and click Open. Tap Next.
3. Then, select the specific folders to import from the tree and click Next.
4. After that, select IMAP and enter your cPanel (Roundcube) credentials.
5. At last, apply the additional filter options and click Convert to finish.

This method reduces your manual workload, provides efficiency and speed, all while saving costs with effective licence plans.

Top Hidden Insights to Import PST to cPanel

There are some key factors that only SysAdmins tend to know about the migration from Outlook to cPanel through PST import. These are:

1. PST Attachments

Insight: Some Roundcube installations reject PST emails during the sync as they have oversized attachments.

Solution: Use the PST Migration Tool for automatic compression and handling.

2. IMAP Mapping

Insight: IMAP Ports are generally switched by the host provider for security concerns. This interrupts the connection.

Solution: Confirm the IMAP Mapping (Port and Host) before you start the bulk migration manually or automatically.

3. Folder Name Differs

Insight: Horde Mail from cPanel shows the names of the folders differently from the original one. Like “Sent Mail” is shown as “Sent Items” or “Sent Messages”.

Solution: Don’t panic and simply check for the most similar alternative. Or maintain the same name with the professional PST Converter.

These are some things you must ensure when you transfer Outlook PST to cPanel for a successful outcome.

Conclusion

Importing PST to cPanel is extremely important when you need to access Outlook mailbox data on the servers. With the right approach, this task becomes quite easy and streamlined without any major risks involved. The manual methods available are alright if you are working at a small scale and do not need to incur any costs. But for large-scale and complete migrations without too much effort and zero loss, straightforwardly download the expert software.

FAQs

About The Author:

Suman Rawat

Suman Rawat is a technical content writer and expert in the fields of email migration, data recovery, and email backup. Her passion for helping people has led her to resolve many user queries related to data conversion and cloud backup.