How to Import Old Emails into Outlook? – All Versions

Do you want to import all your previous PST files into your Outlook account? We all have those old emails in forgotten folders, filled with the necessary stuff. You can effortlessly bring them back to life by importing them into Microsoft Outlook, the handy email organizer. This guide will show you the simplest way to import old emails into Outlook. Let’s dive in and make your email life a whole lot easier! Before moving further, we have got a user query regarding it.

“Susan is a working professional who has been backing up her old emails over the years. Additionally, she has deleted files from her server to free up extra storage in her Outlook account. Now, she has decided to import all her old emails into Microsoft Outlook as she needs to access them again. However, the challenge is that she has no idea how to import emails into Outlook.”

What is the purpose of importing PST files into Outlook?

Many users find themselves juggling multiple emails, each scattered with years of emails and attachments. Microsoft Outlook offers a robust solution for simplifying your email life by allowing you to import PST files into its platform. But why should you consider importing PST emails to Outlook? Following are some reasons to import old emails into Outlook.

• Efficiently Find What You Need: Outlook offers powerful organizational features, including folders, categories, and search capabilities. 
• Protect Your Email Archives: PST files are prone to corruption and data loss, especially when they are on local devices. Outlook’s data integrity features ensure your emails remain safe and accessible.
• Streamline Your Workflow: Outlook offers features like calendars, tasks, and notes that seamlessly integrate with your email, helping you manage your daily tasks and appointments more efficiently.
• Seamless Integration: It allows users to perform seamless integration between their email and these applications, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
• Access Anywhere: Importing PST emails into Outlook means users can access their email history from virtually any device with an internet connection.

Importing PST emails into Outlook is a strategic move for anyone looking to simplify and enhance their email management. Now, we’ll have a look over the best solution to do it.

Know: How to fix a Corrupt Outlook PST file?

How to Import Old Emails into Outlook?

Before diving into the importing process, it is essential to remember you have access to the email accounts you want to import from. Additionally, you can backup any critical emails or attachments you don’t want to lose during the transfer. Moreover, you have the login credentials for the email accounts you plan to import. Outlook will need this information to connect and retrieve your emails. Follow the below steps to import emails to Outlook.

• Go to “File” > “Open & Export” > “Import/Export.”
  
• Select “Import from another program or file” and click “Next.”
  
• Choose “Outlook Data File (.pst).”
  
• Browse for the PST file on your computer and click “Next.”
  
• Select the mailbox you want to import and choose how to handle duplicates.
• Click “Finish” to start the import.
  

What gets recovered when you Import PST file into Outlook?

Importing a PST (Personal Storage Table) file into Outlook can be a helpful way to bring your emails, contacts, and calendar events into the Outlook environment. But what exactly gets moved when you do this?  

• Emails: When you import a PST file into Outlook, all your emails come along for the ride.
• Contacts: Your contact list will also make the move. So, all those email addresses and names you’ve saved in your old email program will be in Outlook.
• Calendar Events: Any crucial dates, appointments, or events in your old calendar will be copied over to Outlook. This way, you won’t miss any vital meetings or birthdays.

Issues you may Face After Importing Emails into Outlook

• Folder Settings: Some details about how your email folders are organized, like how they look or who can access them, won’t be transferred. Hence, if you had folder setups or sharing permissions, you may set those up again in Outlook.
• Message Rules: If you had specific rules configured in your old email program, like automatically sorting emails into folders, those rules won’t come with you. You’ll need to recreate them in Outlook.
• Blocked Senders: Any addresses you had on your blocked senders list won’t be blocked in Outlook. You want to check and ensure you’re not getting unwanted emails from those addresses.

Read More: Convert OST File to PST

Final Thoughts

When you import a PST file, remember that it’s like making a copy of your information, not moving or deleting anything from your old email program. So, you can still use your old program if you want, and all your data will be safe in Outlook. By following this step-by-step guide, you can efficiently manage your email archives and make the most of Microsoft Outlook’s powerful features. Moreover, you can also import old emails into Outlook.