Convert Your Data

How to Convert PST to ICS Format With & Without Outlook?

Fact-checked and reviewed in accordance with our Editorial Policy

Quick Summary: The process to convert PST to ICS file is a way to migrate the proprietary Microsoft Outlook MAPI calendar object into the universal RFC 5545 ICS (iCalendar) standard. This process converts Outlook PST calendar data to ICS iCalendar format so that users can easily import or access the output file on multiple platforms.

There are several methods to extract ICS from a PST file, but they differ in terms of accuracy, ease of use, batch processing, etc. Whether you are trying to convert Outlook PST to ICS on Mac or another platform, here are the three workable solutions:

• Free Outlook Classic Native Save As Method: To save a single PST calendar event as ICS in the Classic version.
• Using New Outlook Shared Calendar Option: Get the downloadable ICS calendar link for easy access.
• Automated PST to ICS Converter: For Mac and Windows users not having Outlook and requiring safe, easy, and customized output.

Now, let us read this detailed article covering everything from multiple comparisons and the manual method to a professional utility, pros and cons, frequently asked questions, and so on. No doubt, by the end of this blog, you will master this query and easily convert PST to ICS without any experts’ assistance or hard-core technical knowledge. So, without any further ado, let’s begin!

ICS Vs PST: Which is Best for Calendar Accuracy?

Final answer: Use PST if you are working with a 100% Outlook environment. Otherwise, for universal compatibility, ICS is the best choice.

Also Read: How to Convert ICS to PST?

How to Convert PST to ICS Using Outlook Classic?

If you have PST files saved locally on your device and want to save PST to ICS file with Outlook Classic, then you have to first import those files to Outlook and then, using the built-in option, you have to do the conversion.

Prerequisites

• Outlook Classic must be installed on your device.
• There must be an active account in Outlook Classic.
• A stable internet connection.
• Enough system space to save the exported ICS file.

The detailed steps for the same are as follows:

1. Open Outlook Classic on your device and click on File.
2. Now, select Open and Export and then choose Import/Export.
3. Then select the “Import from another program or file” option and click on Next.
4. Once done, click on “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and hit the Next button.
5. After this, browse the PST calendar file and click on Next to start the process of importing PST.
6. When all of this is done, click on the Calendars icon from the left panel.
7. Further, click on the arrow on top of the left panel to view and select the PST calendar of your choice.
8. When opened, click on File and select the “Save Calendar” option.
9. Next, select the saving destination, give it a saving name, and click on the Save button.
10. With this, you are done with the process to convert Outlook PST to ICS iCalendar file.

Drawbacks:

• The user has to manually import and then convert the files, as there is no direct option for that.
• This method is not meant to convert hundreds or thousands of PST calendar files.
• PST files with a complex structure get deformed after using this method to convert PST to ICS.
• Importing large files in Outlook will slow down the system or hang in between, making the user stuck.

Can I Convert Outlook PST to ICS File With New Outlook?

If you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber, you can easily import PST files into New Outlook to convert them to ICS. The detailed steps for this process are as follows:

1. Run New Outlook on your device and click on the Settings icon.
2. Further, from the left panel, select Data Files and then choose the Import option.
3. Once done, click on the Get Started button, next to Outlook Data File (.pst).
4. Next, browse the files, select them, and click on Open.
5. Now, under the section Folders to import from, choose all those folders that have PST files for conversion into ICS. Once selected, click on Next.
6. Moving forward, to manage the duplicate files, click the required option available under How do you want to handle duplicate items. Once done, click on Next.
7. Then, choose the saving destination folder for the imported files in New Outlook.
8. Finally, when everything is selected from the source file to the saving path, click on Import.
9. After this, go back to the first page and again click on the Settings icon from the top-right corner.
10. Then, from the left panel, select Calendar and then choose the Shared Calendars option.
11. Now, under the Publish a Calendar section, select the PST Calendar and click the Publish button.
12. This will generate downloadable links in HTML and ICS format.
13. After this, click on the ICS link and select the Download option.
14. And with this, the process to convert PST file to ICS with Outlook New completes successfully.

Alert: The restriction to publish a calendar option can also be applied by the Microsoft 365 or Exchange administrator. Therefore, corporate employees may find this method limited. Also, having the subscription to Microsoft 365 is a must.

Can I Use an Open-Source Method to Export PST to ICS Via Thunderbird?

Earlier, it was possible that if a user had PST files in Outlook and wanted to convert them to an ICS iCalendar file, they could do it easily using Outlook Classic itself or Thunderbird. At that time, Thunderbird had an option to select and import calendars directly from Outlook, which is no longer available. Hence, it is not possible to use an open-source method such as Thunderbird to convert PST files to ICS.

Reliable Method to Convert PST to ICS Without Outlook on Mac and Windows

BitRecover PST Converter is the top-notch choice for professionals who want to convert large-volume PST files to ICS without facing formatting and other issues. This highly advanced PST to ICS converter not only saves users time but also provides them with satisfying results as per their work requirements. Unlike generic tools, this software is developed with advanced techniques like VTIMEZONE property mapping. This ensures that the meeting in London shows up correctly in Tokyo. It has an in-house development team which ensures regular updates, feature customization if needed, and quality support to every user. Over and above that, it does not require any Outlook installation for conversion. You can also download its free demo version to test its efficiency.

How to Batch Convert PST to ICS Calendar Without Any Data Loss?

1. Open the PST to ICS Converter tool after downloading it.
   
2. Select the PST files using the Select File or Select Folder option to convert PST to ICS. You can also select “Convert configured Outlook mailbox data” to fetch the files straight from Outlook.
   
3. Choose the necessary PST folders that you want to convert into iCalendar.
   
4. From the drop-down list of saving options, choose the ICS format.
   
5. Then, select the destination path and try the filter options for selective conversion.
   
6. To start the conversion process, click the Convert button at the end. With this, the process to convert PST to ICS without Outlook completes.

Features of PST to ICS Converter

• Self-explanatory interface with dedicated tabs, buttons, and panels for each action.
• Works on all latest versions of Windows and Mac operating systems.
• Has a range of advanced options to generate specific output.
• File naming and file saving destination options to keep the output easy to access and manage.
• Supports all the elements and attributes of the PST calendar file.
• Keeps the folder hierarchy maintained even after the conversion.
• Has a range of saving options which make it a one-stop solution to work with PST files.
• No file-size limitation and system-slowdown issues when converting large and bulk PST to ICS.

Why is the Online PST to ICS Converter a Privacy Threat?

• Online Data Uploading: When you upload your data to these online tools, your calendar gets stored on remote servers. There is always a risk that these online tools might store or sell your data that generally contains sensitive links and information.
• Prone to Data Leaks: The generic PST to ICS converter that works online does not provide proper encryption to the system. Therefore, this practice of handling data unprofessionally increases the risk of a data breach.
• Violate Compliance and Company Policy: Uploading a confidential PST calendar for ICS conversion to online services may violate organization policies or data protection laws like GDPR.

Comparison of All PST to ICS Conversion Ways

Features	Outlook	BitRecover PST to ICS Converter	Online PST to ICS Converter
Outlook Requirement	Requires Outlook Classic and Outlook New	No Outlook required	No Outlook required
Batch Mode	Limitation	No such limitation	Limitation
Data Safety	Risk of data loss	No risk at all	Risk of data loss and breach
Retains Folder Hierarchy	No	Yes, exactly like the original one.	No
Best For	Small PST conversion to ICS file using Outlook only.	Enterprise-grade, safe, and customized conversion of PST to ICS.	Fast conversion of small and non-crucial PST calendars to ICS.

Concluding Words

In total, the best solution to do this conversion is the PST to ICS Converter by BitRecover, as it is an enterprise-grade, award-winning, and virus-free desktop-based utility that ensures complete data safety and accuracy throughout the process. The best thing is that one can also opt for remote certified services in which trained engineers do the conversion on your behalf with complete data encryption. However, if you have a small PST file to convert to ICS format, you can use the manual method, that is, using Outlook Classic. Mind that the manual method has some limitations, so you do not risk your data privacy and accuracy in search of a free way.