How to Convert MSG Files to PST on Windows & Mac

IT departments managing bulk data from Outlook archives often need to convert a large number of MSG files to PST for easier data organisation and to maintain better compatibility with Microsoft services. 

Both MSG (Outlook message format) and PST (Outlook Data File) are Outlook-specific formats, but they serve different purposes: an MSG file stores a single Outlook item—such as an email, contact, calendar event, or task whereas a PST file acts as a container that can store multiple Outlook items, including emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, attachments, and folder structures.

You can easily convert MSG files to PST using the Outlook desktop application on Windows. If you have Outlook Classic, you can export the MSG files to PST directly. This is also possible in New Outlook, but the export option is available only with an active Microsoft 365 subscription. Without a Microsoft 365 subscription, the required export option PST may not be available in New Outlook. Alternatively you can directly convert bulk MSG files to PST without any data loss with your email attributes, features, and properties remaining exactly the same throughout the conversion process using BitRecover MSG to PST Converter, a dedicated purpose-built tool designed specifically for this task.

How to Convert MSG Files to PST Using Outlook Desktop Application? Free Method 

This method is applicable to Outlook 2024, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and earlier supported versions of Outlook Classic on Windows.

1. Open Outlook Classic on your Windows computer.
2. Create or open a folder in Outlook where you want to import the MSG files.
3. At the same time, open File Explorer and navigate to the location where your MSG files are stored.
4. Select the MSG files from File Explorer and drag and drop them into the Outlook folder.
5. Wait until Outlook completes the MSG import process.
6. Once all MSG files have been imported, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
7. In the Import and Export Wizard, select Export to a File and click Next.
8. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
9. Select the Outlook folder containing the imported MSG files and choose the required export options.
10. Select the desired destination location, specify the PST file name, and click Finish to create the PST file.

Additional Filter Options: While exporting data to PST, Outlook also provides filtering options that allow you to export specific emails based on available criteria such as date range, sender, recipient, subject, and other conditions, instead of exporting the entire folder.

Limitations of Manual Method (Outlook) for Converting MSG Files to PST

1. Limited MSG Files:
   
   Using the drag-and-drop method, you can import only a limited number of MSG files at a time. Converting a large number of MSG files can become difficult with this approach.
2. PST Size Limit:
   
   The final PST file also has a size limitation. Outlook supports PST files up to 50 GB by default, so you cannot create a PST larger than the applicable size limit.
3. Manual PST Splitting:
   
   If you need to split the PST file, the process is also largely manual. This makes it difficult to manage and organize the data properly.
4. Long-Term Archival:
   
   Due to these limitations, managing and organizing a large amount of data can become difficult, which may not be suitable for long-term archival.

Convert MSG to PST Using BitRecover MSG to PST Converter

As you have seen, the above method works only on Windows. You cannot convert MSG to PST on Mac, even if you have Outlook for Mac.

For converting MSG files to PST on Mac without any file size limitation, you can use BitRecover MSG to PST Converter. You can select and convert bulk MSG files or complete folders, and you can also select individual files to create a comprehensive PST.

It provides additional features such as no file size limitation, PST splitting into multiple files, folder language options, and the same filter options discussed above.

The conversion is 100% offline, so your data does not leave your computer, helping prevent data breaches. The tool is also compliant with HIPAA, GDPR, and CCPA requirements.

You can try the tool by converting up to 25 MSG files to PST in the trial version. It is easy to use and can be downloaded to get started.

Steps to Convert MSG to PST

STEP 1: Download and launch the BitRecover MSG to PST Converter on your machine.

STEP 2: Use Select Files or Select Folders to upload single or multiple MSG files.

STEP 3: Select the required folders/files, click Next, and choose PST from the Select Saving Option.

STEP 4: Choose the destination location and apply Filter Options or Separate PST per User if required.

STEP 5: Click Convert to start the MSG to PST conversion. Once completed, open the destination folder to access the converted PST file.

FAQs About Convert MSG to PST

Q1. Should you use an online MSG to PST converter?
No, you should not use an online MSG to PST converter. When you upload your data to an external server, there can be privacy and security risks. Therefore, online converters are not recommended for sensitive email data.

Q2. Is there any limit on MSG to PST conversion?
Yes, there can be limitations when using the manual Outlook method. Outlook allows you to export up to 30 GB at a time. However, there is no file size limitation when using the BitRecover MSG to PST Converter.

Q3. What type of PST file do you get after MSG to PST conversion?
The output PST file generated through MSG to PST conversion is a Unicode PST, which provides compatibility with modern versions of Outlook.