Quick Ways to Convert Mac Outlook OLM File to PST Manually

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  • Published on
    June 18th, 2018
  • Updated on
    June 13, 2023
  • Read Time
    7 minutes
Summary:-Microsoft Outlook is available for both Windows and Mac systems. However, the Windows version is quite popular among email users. Sometimes you may need to switch from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook. In such a situation, you must convert OLM to PST format in order to access the mailbox content stored in the OLM file. In this article, I’ll show you how to do that manually or using a professional solution. You can go with the Sysinfo OLM to PST Converter. It will help users to move all OLM file emails to PST efficiently. Now, before moving further, you should know about both file formats.

Difference Between OLM and PST Files

Basis OLM Files PST Files
Definition OLM files are for Mac OS Outlook Accounts, which helps to store mailbox items, such as contacts, calendars, journals, and many more for users. PST files are for Windows OS Outlook Accounts, which keeps copies of calendar events, etc.
Support Microsoft Outlook for Mac It supports Windows OS and Microsoft Outlook for Windows.
Utility for Repairing Minor Errors in Files Microsoft Database Tool ScanPST.exe (Inbox Repair Program)
Import/Export Users of Mac Outlook migrate entire account data into an OLM file. Users can select particular accounts, mail folders, and mailbox items while exporting PST files in MS Outlook Import Export Wizard on Windows OS.

Here, I have provided you with the difference between OLM and PST files which will help to convert OLM to PST. Further, I will mention some circumstances that will clear all your doubts. If you want to import OLM to Office 365 then these methods won’t apply to it.

Scenarios to Move From Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook

Sometimes, you may need to convert the OLM file to PST format. There might be any reason for that. Below are the typical scenarios that may need to switch from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook.

  • You’ve recently switched to a new organization. You were previously using the Outlook client on a Mac system. But now you’re using Windows Outlook in this new organization. The email messages and other data are stored in the OLM file. But you can’t access them because Windows Outlook doesn’t support OLM file format. In order to access the mailbox data stored in the OLM file, you must convert OLM to PST file format.
  • If you’re using Outlook for Mac, you’re more likely to face technical issues while editing email messages, updating address books, and syncing calendar events. Also, Outlook for Mac 2011 responds slowly once the OLM file exceeds 20 GB.
  • It may happen that you find Windows Outlook is better than Mac Outlook. Unlike Outlook for Mac, Windows Outlook is simple and easy to install. Also, it contains a user-friendly interface and requires no technical knowledge.

I will go through the reasons that will help users to convert OLM to PST files.

Reasons to Convert Mac Outlook OLM to PST

In the below section, I will highlight some reasons for converting OLM files to Windows PST files.

  • OLM files can not access on Windows-based Operating Systems.
  • Mac OS is much more complex in its technicality.
  • Windows has a more user-friendly interface apart from the Mac.

I hope the above reasons will clear your doubts about why there is a need to convert OLM to PST. Now, I will mention the procedures for the conversion process.

Methods to Transfer OLM File Emails to PST Manually

There are two solutions to transfer Mac OLM files to Windows PST files. You can check out both and follow any of the procedures.

  1. Convert OLM to PST Manually
  2. Reliable Solution to Convert OLM to PST

Method 1: Move OLM File Emails to PST Manually

Users are advised to keep a backup of the OLM file before proceeding with the manual way. The following procedure is distributed among four steps:

  1. Setting up an IMAP account.
  2. Set up Outlook for Mac with your IMAP account.
  3. Transferring your emails from your Outlook account to your IMAP account.
  4. Synchronise the IMAP account with Windows MS Outlook and copy the emails.

Now, I will elaborate on each step in detail.

Step 1: Setting Up an IMAP Account

To set up an IMAP Gmail account, follow the procedure:

  • Create a new Gmail account.
  • Go to Settings and select Settings.
  • Click on Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
  • Enable IMAP Access and Save changes.

Step 2: Set Up Outlook For Mac With Your IMAP Account

Follow the procedure mentioned below to Set up Outlook for Mac with the IMAP mail account you created.

  • Open Outlook for Mac.
  • If this is the first account you’re adding, follow the prompts. Otherwise, go to step 3.
  • Select Tools > Accounts.
  • Click the plus (+) sign > New Account.
  • Enter the email address of the account.
  • Follow the prompts to complete the account setup.

Step 3: Transferring Your Emails From Your Outlook Account to Your IMAP account

Now that you have set up Outlook for Mac with the IMAP account, transfer your emails from your Outlook account to the IMAP account. Follow the steps mentioned below for the same:

  • Open Outlook for Mac.
  • Right-click any mailbox item that you want to move. Click Move > Copy to Folder.
  • Now type the name of your IMAP folder and click Copy.
  • After copying the selected mailbox data to the IMAP mailbox, click Send/Receive button to update your Outlook for Mac IMAP folder.

Step 4: Synchronize the IMAP Account With Windows MS Outlook And Copy The Emails

The final step of the procedure is to synchronize your Outlook client on a Windows PC with the same IMAP account you created in Gmail.

  • Set up the same Gmail IMAP account you created on your Windows Outlook client.
  • Move the emails from the IMAP account to your Windows Outlook Inbox Folder by dragging and dropping.

I have successfully mentioned a manual procedure to convert OLM file to PST. But most of the time, users face various problems while accomplishing it. Since the manual method is very complicated and is dependent upon internet speed. The server reliability of the IMAP email client makes the conversion procedure very slow. If the procedure is performed incorrectly, the OLM file might even get corrupted, which may cause data loss. If you do not want to face any such error, you can directly go with the Sysinfo OLM to PST Converter. In the next section, I will discuss it.

Method 2: Reliable Solution to Convert OLM to PST

Sysinfo OLM to PST Converter recommended by professionals to move OLM File Emails to PST format without any prior technical expertise. Even if your OLM files are corrupt, you can import email messages and other data from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook. In order to convert the OLM file into PST format, follow the procedure mentioned as follows:

Steps to Convert OLM Files to PST Format Professionally

  • Launch OLM to PST Converter on your system. Click on the Open button.
  • After that, add your corrupted or healthy OLM files > OK button.
  • You can preview your OLM Emails in the preview panel.
  • Mark the emails and click on the Save button.
  • Then, choose PST as a saving format.
  • Lastly, define the location and click on the OK button.

All your OLM File emails will be converted to PST. Now you can import PST file to your Outlook account on Windows and access all the emails.

Final Words

In this article, I have mentioned a key difference between OLM and PST files. After that, I have also highlighted two procedures to convert OLM file to PST. You can opt for any of them and they will help you to migrate all emails from Windows Outlook to Mac Outlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which tool best converts OLM files to PST file formats without bearing any loss?

Ans – Sysinfo OLM to PST Converter is the best software that helps users to migrate OLM files to PST formats without data loss.

Q. Can I migrate an OLM file to Outlook PST files?

Ans – No, you can not directly migrate your OLM files to Outlook PST formats. First, you have to set up your IMAP account and configure it with Mac Outlook. After that, transfer your Outlook emails to your IMAP account and sync with your Windows Outlook

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