How to Export Emails from Outlook Web App to PST File?

Rollins Duke
Published: May 13th, 2025 • 9 Min Read

Are you tired of searching for a simple and reliable method to export emails from Outlook Web App to PST file? Look no further! In this article, we will explore two simple approaches to save your Outlook.com data to the PST format. So, let’s discover the methods and see how you can export your data.

Know About OWA and PST File

As you know OWA or Outlook.com is a web based Microsoft Outlook application which you can use to access and manage your emails, contacts and calendars. It is a free application and works on any platform. PST 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.

Both of them applicable on different platforms, Outlook web runs on online and PST files on your local machine. However, many users may want their Outlook.com data in the PST file. Why is that?

Why Do You Need Outlook Web Data into PST File?

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.com is a web application where you access your data online. 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 create a backup of your important Outlook.com 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.com 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 Save Outlook.com Emails to PST File

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 Outlook.com in Desktop Outlook
Export PST File

Below, we will explain each steps one by one, so properly follow them.

Part 1: Configure Outlook Web to MS Outlook

In the Outlook web app there is no direct way to create PST file from Outlook.com emails. So, we have to use the desktop version of Outlook. Below are the steps to connect your OWA account 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 desktop 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 Solution

This process is time-consuming as you need to complete the process in two parts.
Because the process is lengthy, there are chances of human errors.
You may face issues related to account syncing. Also, non-technical users may have problems during the process.
If you don’t have Outlook or there is a problem with your email client. Then, you are unable to use the manual method.
There is a risk of losing your emails during the process.

Recommended: Free Ways to Export Office 365 Mailbox to PST

Bulk Export Outlook.com Emails to PST File – 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.

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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.com and Desktop Outlook. Hence, below we provided the comparison between these two email applications for you.

Outlook.com VS Microsoft Outlook [Desktop]

Features	Outlook.com	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 PST or OST files.

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 can I export all my emails from Outlook Web App?
Ans. In your Outlook.com, go to the Settings and click on the General button. Select the Privacy & Data. Click on Export Mailbox and download your emails.

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.

Recommended: Ways to Export Emails from Outlook Web App to Gmail