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Email data is important for both personal and business interactions. Microsoft Outlook for Mac is the email, contacts, calendars, notes, and attachments manager that many Mac users use. All of your mailbox data is saved in an OLM file format by Outlook for Mac.

The problem happens when users switch from a Mac to a Windows computer. Microsoft Outlook for Windows can't open OLM files. It works with PST (Personal Storage Table) files instead. Because of this problem with compatibility, users need to change OLM mailbox data into PST format before they can utilize it on Windows Outlook.

In this blog post, I give all about things for OLM to PST conversion, like why users convert OLM files into PST, give all free ways and how the free method works, and the problems of the manual way, and lastly, in the blog, I give an alternative way to securely convert Mac OLM to Windows PST.

Why do users want to change OLM to PST?

There are several reasons why people need to change OLM files to PST format:

• Changing from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows

• Moving from a Mac to a Windows PC

• Making a copy of the data in the Outlook mailbox

• How to read Mac Outlook emails on a Windows computer

• Keeping all of your Outlook data in one place

Even while manual procedures are free, they take time and attention to do well. They work well for people who don't have a lot of email.

Things to Think About Before Doing a Manual Conversion

Before you start the manual OLM to PST conversion, remember these key things:

• You need to have Outlook for Mac installed and operating.

• You need to install Outlook for Windows on your Windows PC.

• You might need a reliable internet connection for the IMAP technique.

• Data loss may happen while using manual techniques

• It may not be possible to keep the folder hierarchy and email metadata.

• These solutions don't work well for big mailboxes.

Method 1: Drag and Drop (Free)

One of the quickest and most common ways to manually change OLM mailbox emails into PST format is to use the drag-and-drop approach.

How to Change OLM to PST Using the Drag and Drop Method

• Start Outlook for Mac

• Choose the email folder or mailbox you want to change.

• Choose more than one email (press Command + A to choose all)

• Drag the emails you want to a folder on your Mac.

• The EML file format will be used to save emails.

• Use a USB device, an external hard drive, or cloud storage to copy this folder to your Windows PC.

• Launch Outlook for Windows

• Make a new folder in Outlook.

• Put the .eml files in the Outlook folder by dragging and dropping them.

• When the process is done, Outlook for Windows will automatically save these emails in a PST file.

What the Drag and Drop Method Can't Do

• Contacts, calendars, and notes don't get changed.

• The structure of the folders may change.

• Not good for big mailboxes

• There is a good risk that you will get duplicate emails.

• Takes a lot of time

Method 2: IMAP Email Account Method

The IMAP approach uses an email account to keep emails on Mac Outlook and Windows Outlook in sync.

How to Change OLM to PST Using the IMAP Method

• Make an email account that works with IMAP, like Gmail.

• Set up the IMAP account in Outlook for Mac

• Move or copy emails from your OLM inbox to IMAP folders.

• On your PC, open Outlook for Windows.

• Set up the same IMAP account in Windows Outlook

• Emails will automatically sync with Outlook on Windows.

• In Outlook, you can save emails as a PST file by choosing Export.

Problems with the IMAP Method

• It depends on how fast the internet is.

• It takes a long time for large mailboxes to sync.

• Limits on the size of attachments

• Some features of the email may be lost.

• Risk of not being fully synchronized

Copy and Paste Method: Manual Method 3

You can only use this strategy if you have a very limited quantity of emails.

How to Use the Copy-Paste Method

• Start Outlook for Mac

• Choose the emails you need

• Copy the emails (Command + C)

• Start Outlook for Windows

• Put the emails in a folder by pressing Ctrl + V.

The Copy-Paste Method's Drawbacks

• Not good for sending a lot of emails at once

• The folder hierarchy is not kept up.

• There is a high chance of missing emails.

• There may be mistakes made by hand.

Problems that often happen when you convert OLM to PST by hand

There are a lot of problems that users run into when they use manual methods:

• Takes a lot of time and work

• Needs to know how to use technology

• No guarantee that all the info is correct

• Attachments to emails may be lost.

• Problems with folder structure and metadata

• Not good for corporate or enterprise email accounts

For personal usage with small amounts of data, manual procedures are fine, but they are not suggested for business use.

Alternative Method to OLM to PST Conversion

Although manual methods for converting OLM to PST are free, they are not always reliable or practical. These techniques take a lot of time, require technical knowledge, and often result in data loss, missing attachments, or broken folder structure. Manual conversion is especially risky for large mailboxes and business-critical email data.

To avoid these issues, use a third-party tool like DataVare OLM to PST Converter or any third-party tool. The third-party tools offer a faster, safer, and more accurate way to convert OLM files into PST format while preserving emails, attachments, and folder hierarchy. It saves time and ensures complete data integrity.

In conclusion

Manual methods like drag and drop, IMAP syncing, and copy-paste can help convert OLM to PST for free, but they come with many limitations. These approaches are time-consuming, prone to errors, and not suitable for large or important mailboxes. Issues such as data loss, missing attachments, and disturbed folder structure are common when relying on manual techniques.

For users who want a smooth, accurate, and stress-free conversion, a third-party OLM to PST converter tool is the better option. It simplifies the entire process, maintains data integrity, and ensures reliable results, making it ideal for both personal and professional email migration needs.