Move Outlook PST File to Exchange Server – Effortlessly

“Hey, Our Organization using Outlook application for messaging but now we are moving on Exchange Server environment. So can We move out previous data stored in PST format of Outlook (Default file)? So How we can move Outlook data files to Exchange Server 2010, as it assures data security and allows easy data accessing. We try to use PowerShell command to move Outlook Data File (PST) in Exchange Server environment, however, it is continuously throwing an unknown error message. Now, I am looking for an automated solution that can help me to move Outlook PST file to Exchange 2010 Server environment. Any help or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.”

“We have more than 80 PST file of employees and now moving to Exchange 2016 Environment, Since we need to move all these multiple PST files quickly to Exchange and size of some PST file are large as a comparison to other files. Since the manual method requires long hours to complete this export process. How can move all these PST files in mailboxes of Exchange quickly but without any data loss, as lots of client information are saved in files.”

We can see, People are using Outlook application for email communication and other purposes, as Outlook is a messaging application developed by Microsoft that allows users to send, receive, and manage email messages. It stores all its mailbox data items such as emails, contacts, calendars, etc., in Outlook data files (OST and PST). OST is Offline Storage Table file that enables offline data accessing and PST is Personal Storage File. Users can open and view PST files in Microsoft Outlook application only, which is a desktop-based email client. Thus, it restricts the utilization of PST file.

Besides, Outlook PST File can be moved to Exchange application, hence to use this advantage of PST file. In this section, we are going to disclose the easiest technique for the same. All users have to do is follow the steps carefully and sequentially to avoid data loss.

How to Move Outlook PST File to Exchange Server?

The complete procedure to move Outlook Data File to Exchange mailboxes is divided into 2 sections:

1. Export PST from Outlook Application
2. Move PST to Microsoft Exchange Server Environment

Step 1: Moving PST File from Microsoft Outlook Application

• If you are using Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010 or 2013, then follow below-mentioned guidelines:

Note: Interface of the application can be different and position of options can be different according to Outlook application.

• Open Outlook application and click on File >> Open & Export option

• Now, in the right-side menu, hit a click on the Import/Export button.

• In Import/Export wizard select Export to a file option and click on Next

• Export to a File window will be prompt now. Here, select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click on “Next” button.

• Now select all the folders and subfolders that you want to move Outlook PST file to Exchange Server. After that, hit the Next button.

• Select a location to save the resultant file and select the appropriate option to deal with duplicates. Click the Finish button. Either you can allow duplicate items or do not allow duplicate items into a .pst file.

• Additionally, If you want to create a password protected PST file then, enter a password in Create Outlook Data File window. Also, you can skip this step just via hitting the Cancel button.

• After this, an output PST will be saved within the system.

Note: You can aslo use Exchange PowerShell cmdlet to import PST to Exchange 2016/2013/2010 mailboxes but this method requires hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge to handle Exchange Management Shell.

Also, users have to face some error like – New-MailboxImportRequest Failed, etc… Therefore to avoid all this complexity users can use the automated wizard mentioned in the below section that easily move Outlook data file to Microsoft Exchange Server in a simplified way with no loss of data.

Step 2: Move Outlook PST File to Exchange Server Environment

An Exchange Administrator can use Exchange Admin Center and Powershell Command to move created PST file but when a user wants to move PST file to Exchange Server, then it becomes a difficult task. For that, you use SysTools Exchange Importer Tool to move created PST file into Exchange environment. Follow below steps to import PST files:

• First Download software from the above link and Run Software within your system.

• Open Software and click on Add File(s)/ Add Folder/ Network Files option and select the PST file(s) that you want to move. Click on “Next” to proceed further.

• Now Provides Admin SMTP Address, Admin Password, Exchange Version, Server IP and Active Directory IP to move Outlook PST file to Exchange environment.

• In the Select Categories section, Exchange user can move only the specific section according to desired work and need. Such as user can select the option of Emails (to move emails only) and click on “Import” button.

• PST file of Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003 will start moving to Exchange Server environment.

As you can see with the Automated solution, now it becomes so easy to move Outlook PST File into Exchange user mailboxes of 2016/ 13 /10 and below versions. No Command Line syntax or network share folder is created to move data.

Concluding Lines

Move Single outlook data file Exchange Server become easy task but when we need to move multiple PST file to mailboxes of Exchange user account in limited time and without data loss, similar to above query then the user can go for the new automated solution in above section. Here, we have covered one simple method that can execute such operation without resulting in any data loss. With the help of this solution, anyone can move Outlook PST file to Exchange.