How to Switch Outlook to Gmail with All Emails & Attachments

Summary: While you are an MS Outlook user, sometimes switching over to Gmail must have crossed your mind. But since you are used to Outlook, it doesn’t mean you have to store your email messages there forever. This guide elaborates on how to switch Outlook to Gmail with easy solutions and a PST Converter Tool for optimal results.

We know that Outlook and Gmail are both popular email clients with similar facilities and features to an extent. Still, some factors with Gmail enable users to collaborate and thrive in the hybrid environments. Let’s find out more about these advantageous factors.

Switch from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail: Benefits

If you are proceeding with Gmail, it’s natural to be considerate about preserving and keeping your data secure first. Though you can replicate Outlook emails and data in Gmail, making the switch is better for the following reasons:

  • It is easier to work together on the same document in Gmail, unlike sending copies as attachments in Outlook.
  • Gmail has much more advanced search and filter options in comparison to MS Outlook.
  • With Gmail, you get to delegate email accounts, whereas in Outlook, you work with shared mailboxes at most.
  • Outlook often faces deliverability issues, but Gmail has high spam and other security measures that keep data safe.
  • Google’s Gmail helps in data analytics and has various integration and add-ons that makes data management seamless.

Best Methods to Switch Outlook to Gmail

While switching email clients seems like a great step, it can be daunting, but there’s nothing to worry about. This section is the core of how to migrate Outlook to Gmail accurately and precisely. But before that, you must be well aware that the manual methods discussed below will have the following limitations:

  • If the Outlook inbox is too large, it may take time to complete the entire data transfer.
  • You cannot import calendars, notes, journals, etc., items with the free method.
  • The process requires users to know both email clients well and have other technical abilities.
  • There may be incomplete transfers or missing data, especially with internet issues.

But you can overcome them all and perform a clean and secure Outlook to Gmail migration if you use the professional tool. The step-by-step procedures for both methods are discussed briefly here.

Manually Switching to Gmail from Microsoft Outlook

Method 1:

You can switch Outlook to Gmail by setting up a new email account. But to receive Outlook’s new and old emails within it, follow these steps:

  1. First, set up a new Gmail account from its official website.
  2. Then, go to the Settings icon and expand it to get See All Settings.
  3. Now, in the new pane, hover the cursor over Accounts and Import to open it.
  4. Further, click the Import mail and contacts link in the given options.
  5. In the new pop-up, enter Outlook email address and press Continue.
  6. Afterward, Gmail prompts to log into the MS Outlook profile. Tap Next.
  7. Allow the permissions with Yes and select the given import options.
  8. Finally, press Start Import to begin the data transfer from Outlook to Gmail.

Note: The new email messages will only be forwarded for 30 days.

Method 2:

Another alternative is also there to switch from Microsoft Outlook to Gmail for free. It involves these steps:

  1. Ensure all your PST files are present within the MS Outlook account.
  2. You can store them all together at a single location with Import/Export.
  3. Next, add your Gmail account to the Outlook account with IMAP.
  4. After the account setup is complete, drag and drop the files.
  5. Additionally, use the Import/Export: Import from another program or file option for the same.

Professional Method to Switch Outlook to Gmail

For users with bulk Outlook files and data preservation concerns, use the PST Converter Tool. It can directly transfer the entire PST data to Gmail. You can export Outlook contacts to Gmail as well as other calendars, emails, notes, and more. Besides that, the utility excels at running on all OS environments and has a user-friendly GUI. Moreover, it maintains the original folder and structure and doesn’t necessarily require the installation of MS Outlook.

Guide for Switching to Gmail from Microsoft Outlook

  1. Use the Outlook to Gmail Converter and add PSTs into it.
  2. Then, press Next and assess the data within the files and folders.
  3. After previewing, choose relevant folders and press Next.
  4. Further, select Gmail and log in through a web browser.

At last, input filters and hit Convert to migrate Outlook to Gmail.

Input from a Client: 

“We had a 35 GB Outlook archive with over 15,000 client emails to migrate to a Gmail account. Drag-and-drop method failed midway, and the folder structure got altered. We used the PST File Converter and finished migration with 100% accuracy.”

– IT Manager from a marketing agency

Conclusion

The task to switch Outlook to Gmail is not a technical puzzle anymore. But an upgrade to flexibility, cloud convenience, and sync across devices. Whether you are an individual or a technical expert, following the methods above, you can transfer data with ease. While manual methods give you control, an expert tool automates the process and guarantees a secure and instant conversion without Outlook.

FAQ

Q. How to send all emails from Outlook to Gmail?

Ans- To send the entire email mailbox while switching to Gmail from Microsoft Outlook, use the Outlook to Gmail Exporter. The steps are:
1. Download the tool and import the Outlook PST files and folders.
2. Then, from the tree preview, choose the folders and press Next.
3. Further, select and log in Gmail for the target account and pick filters.
4. Finally, tap the Convert button and finish the email export.

Q. What is the difference between Outlook and Gmail?

Ans- Outlook is a desktop client by Microsoft that offers advanced features to manage emails, contacts, calendars, and much more. It is especially used on a large scale in corporate environments. On the other hand, Gmail is a cloud-based client that integrates with Google Workspace and provides better accessibility and simplicity. 

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About The Author:

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.

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