How to Export PST from Outlook Web App on Windows & Mac?
Fact-checked and reviewed in accordance with our Editorial Policy
Microsoft OWA/Outlook for the Web/ Outlook Online does not provide a direct option to export mailbox data of accounts accessed in PST (Outlook Data File) format. In order to export PST from Outlook Web app – configure your OWA account in desktop application and use the in-built Import/Export of Outlook Classic.
For direct conversion of Outlook Webmail emails to PST files without configuration, or if you are using Outlook for Mac or do not have an active Office 365 subscription, BitRecover OWA to PST Export Tool is a suitable alternative.
Note: The legacy option to download PST file from Outlook Web Access i.e. OWA Sign In >> Settings >> General >> Privacy and Data >> Export Mailbox has now been removed after the new Outlook update.
Know About Outlook Web App (OWA) and PST File
As you know OWA or Outlook Online is a web based Microsoft Outlook application which you can use to access and manage your emails, contacts and calendars primarily from exchange based accounts like – Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, or on-premises Exchange Server accounts. It is a free application and works on any device Mobile, Mac & Windows as accessed via a web browser.
PST (Personal Storage Table) file on the other hand, is a Microsoft proprietary file format that is used to store your desktop Outlook data like emails, calendars, contacts and other items. The file is stored in your desktop which makes it easier to access your data offline.
Check Your Account Type Before You Export PST from OWA
Outlook for the Web lets you access multiple accounts, including Outlook.com (personal accounts), Microsoft 365 / Office 365 (work or school accounts), and on-premises Exchange Server accounts.
- Sign in to Outlook Live and click on your profile icon on the top right.
- Look at your email address:
- If ending with @outlook.com – free personal account – may or may not have Personal/Family subscription.
- Ending with @onmicrosoft.com – exchange online or Office 365 accounts.
- Ending with @yourcompany.com – can be Hosted Exchange Server or Office 365 need to confirm with the IT admin.
This guide converts how to export emails from Outlook Web app to PST file no matter which account you use with OWA.
Read Here:
Both of them applicable on different platforms, Outlook web runs on online and PST files on your local machine. However, many users may want export PST from outlook web. Why is that?
Why Do You Need Export PST From OWA?
The reasons why you need to save Outlook Web App to PST file, we asked the experts and they highlighted the following key factors.
- Outlook for Web lets you access your data online by direct sync from server. But, if you want your data on your local device, then exporting to the PST file is a great format.
- There are chances of hacking your account or data corruption. But, if you have your crucial data in the PST file, then you can protect your data by encryption or setting the password.
- It is a great way to backup your important OWA, Outlook.com, or Outlook Online emails, contacts, and events.
- You will not have any issues related to accessing your data even though there is no internet connection.
- If the storage space of your Outlook web is full. Exporting your data to PST helps you in reducing the storage.
So, there are several many reasons for downloading your Outlook webmail emails. But, you now know why it is required to export the data. In addition, the experts also suggested the methods to export emails from Outlook Web App to PST. Therefore, in the upcoming sections of the article we will explain different ways to create PST file from your OWA.
Manually Download PST File From Outlook Web Access
To download your Outlook web app emails to the PST file. You need to first connect your account with desktop Outlook. This method will be a lengthy process, so we divide the procedure into two parts.
- Sync OWA account (O in Desktop Outlook
- Export PST File
Below, we will explain each steps one by one, so properly follow them.
Can I Use Outlook New on Desktop to Export Emails From Outlook Web App Account to PST File?
Although you can use Outlook New to save emails as PST from outlook web app it will only work in case you have an Microsoft Subscription account. While with the MS Outlook Classic Desktop application you can export Outlook.com free or personal account emails to PST as well.
Part 1: Configure Outlook Web to MS Outlook
In the Outlook web app there is no direct way to create PST file. So, we have to use the desktop version of Outlook. Below are the steps to connect your OWA account (Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, or Exchange Server account accessed via OWA) with the Outlook.
- Start the Microsoft Outlook client and choose the “File” button.
- Choose the “Add Account” option as shown in the figure below.
- Enter your Outlook Webmail Address and press the “Connect” button.
- See the account successfully added, you need to restart Outlook for these changes to take effect. Hit the “Done”.
- After restarting Outlook, it will show you a message like Outlook is setting up a local copy of your mailbox. It may be several minutes until all of the data is available.
- Lastly, choose Send/Receive All Folders (F9) to start adding emails in the Outlook desktop version.
Part 2: Export PST File from Outlook Desktop
Once your account is connected, we now export our emails by using the built-in Import/Export features. Here’s how you do it.
- Launch the Outlook Classic (2016/2019/2026) on your computer. If you don’t have it installed, don’t worry! You can easily download and install it.
- Locate the file tab in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Click on “File” and navigate to the “Open & Export” option.
- Within the “Open & Export” option, select the “Import/Export” file.
- In the next window, choose the action you want to perform and click on “Export to a file“.
- Proceed to the next screen and select “Outlook Data File (.PST)” Click on “Next“.
- Upon clicking “Next,” choose the desired mail folder you wish to export. You can also include subfolders and apply filters for more flexibility.
- Select the location where you want to export the PST file by clicking on the browse button. Once you’ve chosen the location, hit “Finish“.
Here is the manual way to export emails from Outlook web app to PST. As the process is free to use, there are few limitations that you may face.
Drawbacks of Manual OWA Export to PST
- The manual way to export emails from Outlook Web App to PST is limited to Outlook Windows and will not work with Outlook for Mac & Outlook Desktop New (only in some cases).
- You have to create a PST file from one Outlook Online mailbox folder at a time making the process time consuming for larger mailboxes.
- You can only export PST from an OWA account smaller than 50 GB.
- The account must fully sync locally before Outlook Webmail export to PST is possible which risks sync errors, duplicate items, or incomplete folder structure.
Bulk Export PST From Outlook Online – Automated Method
Because the manual solutions have so many drawbacks, experts recommend using BitRecover Outlook.com Backup Tool. It is a specialized software used to save your Outlook web data. But, also used to convert your emails in PST. The utility provides you several saving options which allow you to store your data into your desired files. It is very easy to use and preserve the original content of your data throughout the process. Hence, download the software on your Windows and Mac OS and see how easy it is to save your Outlook web data.
Steps to Export Emails from Outlook Web App to PST
- Launch the software, and enter your OWA email and password in the required fields. Click “Log in” to proceed.
- Select required folders to create PST file from Outlook online.
- If desired, use filters by checking the filter option.
- After that, choose PST as a saving option.
- Enable option to split PST file, choose required size, and specify the destination where you want to save the PST file.
- Click on the Backup button to export emails from Outlook Web app to PST file.
So, here are the two solutions to create PST file from Outlook web app. Now, you will not have any problem regarding saving your data as we explained them in clear steps. But, there are still some users who don’t know the difference between Outlook for the Web and Desktop Outlook. Hence, below we provided the comparison between these two email applications for you.
Added Benefits of BitRecover to Export Outlook Webmail to PST
- No manual configuration into desktop applications directly connected via Microsoft OAuth authentication.
- Export unlimited emails from OWA to PST along with contacts & calendar with preserved folder hierarchy – without any restriction on mailbox size. You export multiple Outlook Webmail folders in go – saving time and manual effort.
- Selective OWA Export to PST based on date range, sender & recover addresses and subject keyword of organized output.
- You can split PST created from Outlook Web into 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB files for quick import in Outlook desktop.
Outlook Web VS Microsoft Outlook [Desktop]
| Features | Outlook Web App/Outlook Online | Microsoft Outlook (Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | The email application is web-based which you can access from any browser. | You need to install the application on your device. |
| Usability | This program is best suited for personal use, because of the limited features and functions. | It is a great email client for both personal and professional users. |
| Accessibility | You can access your email account online. | Users can work with their email account both online and offline. |
| Support Features | Users can easily access their Outlook, Office 365, Hotmail, and other webmail services. | You can sync Outlook.com, Exchange, Office 365, IMAP, POP, and other email accounts. |
| Features and Functions | The program only provides you basic email functions and features. | Here, you will get both basic and advanced email features and functions. |
| Storage Capacity | It offers your cloud storage. | You can store your data in your local machine in the format of |
Final Words
Because the Outlook web app and Outlook come from two different applications. Many users have trouble exporting their emails. But, in this article, we have provided two simple ways to export emails from Outlook web app to Outlook. We explained these methods in detail, so you will not have any problems in having your emails in your local device. Other than that we also discussed the reasons and the comparisons between these two email applications. To understand more about the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How to select all emails from Outlook web?
Ans. Go to the Outlook web inbox and click on the check box at the top of the list of your messages. Alternatively, you can click your email and press Ctrl+A to select all the messages.
Q. Is it possible to export emails directly from OWA to a PST file?
Ans. No, there is no direct way to save your emails in PST.
Q: Is the Export Mailbox option still available in Outlook Web App Settings?
Ans. No, the option has been removed after the Outlook Web App update in 2025.
Q: Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to export PST from Outlook Web?
No, it is not mandatory you can simply use Outlook Classic or use the dedicated OWA-to-PST export tool like BitRecover.
Recommended:
About the Author
