How to Convert PST to MSG with or without Outlook?
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In this blog, we will explain the three practical methods to convert PST to MSG files with or without using Microsoft Outlook. Sometimes, users wish to export PST files to MSG file format for various reasons. If you are one of them then don’t worry, after reading this blog post, your problem will be resolved instantly.
Microsoft Outlook stores its data in PST files, while MSG files are commonly used to store single email messages. Due to this, users often need to extract specific emails from a PST file and want to save each email in a separate file for archiving, sharing or easier access.
PST vs MSG: What Is the Difference?
| Feature | PST | MSG |
| Purpose | Stores mailbox data | Stores individual Outlook items |
| Data | Emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and other Outlook data | Usually one email or Outlook item |
| File extension | .PST | .MSG |
| Best suited for | Mailbox storage, backup and archiving | Individual email storage, sharing and archiving |
Motive to Export PST to MSG Files
- Select and save important messages from a large PST file.
- Keep specific Outlook messages as separate MSG files for easy access.
- Select individual messages with colleagues without sharing the complete PST file.
- Retain important messages along with their associated attachments.
- Store important emails separately for easier management and reference.
- Keep individual MSG files for documentation, record-keeping, or future reference.
How to Convert PST to MSG Manually?
- Start MS Outlook and import PST file.
- Select a PST folder to export emails in MSG.
- Press CTRL and choose specific email messages.
- Drag and drop selected emails into a folder.
- Open resultant folder and get the output MSG files.
Manual Ways to Convert PST to MSG with Outlook
Being an Outlook expert, I know various manual methods to export PST to MSG files. Here, we will discuss 2 manual methods to convert PST to MSG files free of charge. You can also follow the upcoming manual ways to extract PST to MSG format but first know its prerequisites.
Know Prerequisites
- Outlook should be installed on your computer to perform this task.
- Ensure that your PST file contains email messages in folders.
Note That: Here, we assume you have an orphan PST file outside of your Outlook. Hence, first, you will need to import PST file in Outlook, and then you can follow the upcoming steps. If you have a PST file connected with Outlook, you can directly save Outlook email to MSG file.
Phase 1: Open or Import Your PST in Outlook
If the PST file is not already accessible in Outlook, you first need to open or import it. Choose the approach based on whether you want to access the PST file as a separate data file or copy its content into an Outlook mailbox.
Option 1. Open the PST file Directly
This is the simpler approach when you only need to access emails stored in an existing PST file.
- Open Microsoft Outlook.
- Go to file and click on open and export then choose open Outlook data file.
- Browse the location of your PST file and select it.
- Press on Ok.
- Outlook will add the PST file to the folder pane, allowing you to access its emails.
Option 2. Import the PST file into Outlook
If you want to copy the PST data into an existing Outlook mailbox, use the Import/Export wizard.
- Open Outlook and go to the file as appears on the upper left corner.
- Select on open and export then choose Import/Export.
- Browse Import from another program or file and click on Next.
- Select Outlook data file(.PST) and click on Next.
- Browse to and select the required PST file.
- Check on do not import duplicates and select the folders as you want to import.
- Click on finish button start import PST to Outlook.
Phase 2: Convert PST to MSG via Drag and Drop
- Run MS Outlook and choose a PST folder to export.
- Press the CTRL key and select the required emails.
- Create a new folder on the desktop to store MSG files.
- Drag and drop emails from PST to the newly created folder.
- Open the output data folder and get exported MSG messages.
Alternative: Save Individual PST Emails as MSG
- Run Outlook client and open an email message.
- Thereafter, choose File >> Save As to continue.
- Select a specific path and type a name for MSG file.
- Choose Save as type i.e. Outlook Message Format – Unicode.
- Tap the Save button to convert PST to MSG format.
- Get an exported MSG file from a selected location.
Note: This alternative way is only suitable to export PST to MSG single file. For multiple emails, you will need to repeat the same steps multiple times.
What Are Manual Method Limitations?
The manual Outlook-based approach works well for converting a few selected emails, but it can become inefficient when dealing with large or multiple PST files. Such as:
- You need a compatible Outlook desktop application to access and save PST data as an MSG file.
- Extracting a large number of emails manually can take lots of time.
- Saving emails individually requires repeating the same steps for each message.
- Managing and extracting emails from several PST files manually can be cumbersome.
- Outlook manual process doesn’t provide convenient advanced filtering features and selective options.
Which PST to MSG Method Should You Choose?
The required PST to MSG Conversion approach depends on the number of emails, PST files, and whether Microsoft Outlook is available. Use the table below to choose the approach that best fits your requirements:
| Requirement | Recommended Method |
| Convert one email | Outlook save as |
| Convert a few selected email | Drag and drop |
| Open an orphan PST | Open PST in Outlook |
| Convert a large PST file | Professional PST to MSG Converter |
| Convert multiple PST files | Professional PST to MSG Converter |
| Convert PST without Outlook | Professional PST to MSG Converter |
| Apply filters for selective conversion | Professional PST to MSG Converter |
Pro Way to Convert PST to MSG Format
Outlook PST Converter Software is the best and most reliable solution to batch convert PST to MSG format. This software supports PST files exported from Outlook 2024, 2021, 2019, 2016 and old versions. It is compatible with ANSI and Unicode standard PST files.
This PST to MSG Converter comes with a free demo version that permits to export of 25 emails from each PST folder to MSG format. So, our respective customers can check its working process before grabbing license keys.
How to Export PST to MSG without Outlook?
- First, start PST to MSG Converter and read the export instructions.
- The software provides dual options for adding Outlook PST files.
- Next, select PST folders from the software panel to export.
- Now select MSG from the list of saving options to convert PST to MSG file format.
- After that, choose the destination path and file naming option.
- Tap the Convert button to begin extracting PST to MSG process.
- Outlook PST to MSG conversion task has been completed successfully.
- Last, the software opens the destination path having exported MSG files.
PST to MSG Converter Outstanding Features
- Extract and save PST emails as MSG files without requiring Microsoft Outlook to be installed.
- Choose individual folders or required mailbox data instead of processing the entire PST file.
- Narrow down the conversion by using available filters such as date range, sender, recipients or subject.
- Select an appropriate naming convention for the resulting MSG files to keep them organized.
- Convert multiple PST files in a single operation when batch processing is supported.
- Work with both commonly used PST file types for broader compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: How to convert PST to MSG file format?
Above we have disclosed three excellent ways to extract PST files to MSG file format. Use any method that is suitable for your requirements.
Q 2: Does your software allow to export multiple PST files to MSG files?
Yes, of course, the recommended software is a perfect choice to export multiple PST to MSG format.
Q 3: Is MS Outlook installation mandatory to extract PST to MSG manually?
Yes, the manual method requires Outlook installation to export PST to MSG files.
Q4 Can I Convert PST to MSG without Outlook?
Yes, you can convert using PST to MSG Converter as it is reliable to convert and save them as MSG files without requiring Microsoft Outlook. This is useful for bulk conversion or when Outlook is not installed.
Q5 Can I convert only selected emails from PST to MSG?
Yes, you can convert selected emails by using save as or drag and drop option. A professional PST to MSG Converter also allows you to select files or folders or you can also use filter options to convert specific data.
Q6. Can I Convert Multiple PST Files to MSG?
Yes, A professional PST to MSG Converter can process batch PST files, allows you to select folders, apply filters and save the resulting MSG files to a chosen location.
Q7. Does PST to MSG Conversion preserve email attachments?
Yes, when emails are converted to MSG successfully, then all data including attachments are retained with the email.
Conclusion
Converting PST emails to MSG can be done manually using Outlook or with an automated PST to MSG Converter. If you want to save one or few emails, Outlook’s save as or drag and drop options can be sufficient. However, when you have large or multiple PST files then performing manually is time consuming and requires technicalities. In such cases, we recommend you to go with professional PST to MSG Converter for a more convenient approach for batch processing, selective folder conversions, filtering and converting PST files without Outlook. Regardless of the approach you choose, verify important MSG files after conversion by checking message details, attachments, formatting and the number of converted emails before making changes to the original PST files.
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