If you are transitioning from Mac OS to Windows and need to move all of your old MS Outlook files to the new Windows machine, this article is for you.
The Outlook for Mac application’s database is stored in an OLM file. It has been developed with the architecture of macOS in mind. Because the user interface and folder structure of Outlook for Mac differ from those of Windows Outlook, you must convert the OLM file to PST format whenever you switch from an iMac to a Windows machine.
There are additional limitations associated with the OLM file, such as the inability to synchronize contact groups with Exchange Server, the inability to share calendar entries, the inability to create to-do lists, the inability to preview associate attachments in emails, the inability to access Office 365 Groups, and many other shortcomings that can be overcome if the OLM file is converted.
As a result, it is very evident that OLM files cannot be accessed directly in Outlook installed in a Windows environment. It must first be converted to PST format.
The most prevalent causes or circumstances for this OLM to PST conversion are described below:
- The absence of a Mac environment or temporary employment on a Windows environment.
- The organization is permanently migrating to a Windows environment.
- To improve the portability of email data (as Windows environment is widely used).
- I shared or discovered orphaned OLM files on my machine and needed to retrieve their contents.
- Mergers and acquisitions of businesses are driving to the use of the Windows environment for work.
- The Windows environment must be used for a limited period.
As we have a better understanding of OLM files and their limitations, we may move on to the conversion process, which can be either free or automated. We intend to explain the entire free conversion procedure to the readers in this blog.
Free Automatic Procedure
The process of converting OLM to PST is completely free, however it does require some time and work to complete. It requires users to have certain technical expertise in order to complete multiple-stage conversion processes. The main concept behind the free conversion is to create an IMAP account using your Gmail account and then configure it in Outlook for Mac email. Then, using a label established in Gmail, move OLM emails to an IMAP mailbox that may subsequently be connected to Outlook on Windows.
Let us look at the steps to execute OLM file conversion free to have a better understanding of what the real process is and how to perform the phases sequentially.
The entire process of converting Outlook for Mac OLM to PST.
Follow the steps given below to convert OLM to PST successfully.
Step 1: Gmail IMAP Server Account Configuration
- Follow these instructions to configure an IMAP account in your Gmail programmer.
- Enter your user name and password to access your Gmail account. Navigate to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab in Settings.
- From the Settings menu, choose the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
- Your new IMAP account enabled.
Step 2: Setting up an IMAP Account in Outlook for Mac
You must add the IMAP account to Outlook for Mac after establishing it in Gmail (activating IMAP in Gmail Settings). Follow these instructions.
- Navigate to Tools>Accounts in your Outlook for Mac programmer.
- The Accounts window will appear. Click the E-mail Account option here.
- Then, as the credentials, enter the same Gmail account user name and password. To add it, tap the Add Account option.
- Add IMAP Server as an account, then choose SSL connection, SMTP server, and 465 port number as details.
- The IMAP mail account will be added and shown on the Mail tab.
Step 3: Setting the Label in Your Gmail Account
After you’ve setup the IMAP account using the Outlook for Mac email client, you may go on to the following step, which is to create the label. Please describe the procedure.
- Reopen your Gmail account and navigate to Settings. Navigate to the Labels tab and select the Create new label option under Labels.
- Now, give the label a name and press the Create button.
- The new label is born. Check mark the IMAP option.
- Go to the Outlook for Mac email programmer and pick the Send/Receive option to update the IMAP mailbox.
Step 4: Transferring OLM Emails to an IMAP Server Mailbox
This procedure entails transferring desired OLM emails to an IMAP mailbox in the Outlook for Mac programmer. Carry out the following actions to do this.
- Choose the required mailbox folder items in OLM mailbox, right-click, and then choose Move>Copy to Folder.
- Enter the name of the desired IMAP folder and then select the Copy option. Repeat for several file transfers.
- To update the transmission, click Send/Receive.
- All OLM emails have now migrated to the IMAP Server account mailbox folders.
Step 5: Setting up an IMAP Account in Windows Outlook
The last step is to set up this IMAP account with OLM emails in Microsoft Outlook. Follow the instructions outlined below.
- Navigate to Control Panel>Mail>Email Accounts>New to begin.
- Select the Manually setup server settings option and click Next on the Account screen.
- Select IMAP/POP Settings and then click Next.
- Enter the account credentials and server information, then select the More Settings button.
- On the Advanced tab, enter information such as 993 as the IMAP server port number and 465 as the SMTP server port number. Select SSL connection everywhere and save changes. Finally, select the Finish option.
- Drag or copy-paste OLM emails from the specified IMAP folder to your PST mailbox Inbox folder.
As you can see, the procedure is multi-staged and consequently time-consuming, with high potential for human errors throughout. Furthermore, this sophisticated procedure can only transfer a limited number of OLM emails at a time. For massive data transfers more time & effort is required to be done. Because the process is indirect, there may be gaps at any stage that impact the next. Another barrier for customers is the requirement for several environments (Windows and Mac) as well as installed email clients at the same time. Though the procedure is practical, as previously stated, it presents several challenges to users.
In Conclusion
It is prudent to seek an alternative to be on the safe side. OLM to PST Converter tool is an excellent tool for converting OLM to PST in minutes. Complete Mac OLM to Windows PST conversion procedure in a few simple steps, with the option to migrate data. This automatic conversion requires no complicated server setup. It also has filter options for a more personalized conversion procedure that is compatible with all Outlook versions. So, try both ways for yourself and choose your converting method intelligently.
