In order to migrate mailboxes from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows, users need to first export the mailbox data. Outlook for Mac exports data as an OLM file, whereas Outlook for Windows supports PST file. OLM file is the Outlook data file for Outlook for Mac and PST is the Outlook data file for Outlook for Windows.
As OLM file format is only compatible with Mac machines & Outlook for Mac users get stuck trying to import OLM files into Windows Outlook. This incompatibility becomes a hurdle for both Mac users switching to Windows and for users trying to access archived OLM files using Outlook for Windows.
Let’s read further and learn more.
The Need to Import OLM Files into Outlook for Windows?
There are several reasons why users need to import OLM files into Windows. These are –
- Users are migrating from macOS to Windows
- Trying to share mailbox data from one OS to another
- Team collaboration is required
- Need to access data from archived OLM files
How to Export Outlook Data from Mac to Windows?
Outlook for Mac does not export the mailbox data in a PST file. Therefore, it is not possible to import OLM files into Windows and access them with ease. But using an IMAP server, it is possible to import mailbox data from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows. Let’s read further to learn more about this method.
Configure IMAP server in Outlook for Mac
Configuring an IMAP server on a Mac will allow you to import OLM files into Outlook for Windows. The IMAP server will act as a mediator between macOS and Windows. This process is divided into four parts that are explained below –
Part 1 – Export your Outlook Mailbox data on Mac as OLM
Note – in case you already have archived OLM file/s, skip Part 1 and start with Part 2.
- Launch Outlook on your Mac.
- Click on File in the menu bar.
- Click on the Export option.
- It will open the Export to Archive File (.olm) window. Choose all the items that you want to export and click Continue.
- Select the No, do not delete items option and proceed with the process.
- It will bring up the Export to Archive File (.olm) window. Browse for the save location and click Save.
- Outlook will start exporting the OLM file. Once the process is complete, click Finish to exit the wizard.
Part 2 – Add another email account in Outlook
After exporting your mailbox data in an OLM file, add an email account (Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc.) in the Outlook for Mac application. This will allow you to move the Mailbox data from Outlook for Mac application to Gmail or any other email account.
| Notes –We are using Gmail to demonstrate this activity. You can connect any other email account, like Yahoo, AOL, etc., to Outlook as well.If you do not have a spare Gmail/Yahoo/AOL account, you will need to create one.Before proceeding, ensure that IMAP is enabled in your Gmail/Yahoo/AOL account. |
Here are the steps to do this –
- Open Outlook for Mac on your Mac system.
- Click on Outlook > Settings.
- Click on Accounts under Personal Settings.
- Click on the + icon in the lower left corner.
- Click on E-mail from the drop-down menu.
- The wizard will prompt you to enter your Gmail account information. Enter it and click Add Account. Doing this will add your Gmail account to your Outlook account.
Part 3 – Move the Outlook data for Mac to the Gmail account
- While in Outlook for Mac, right-click on the newly added Gmail account and select New Folder. Rename it.
- Now, select the folder and click on File > Import.
- Select the mailbox folder that you want to export from Outlook for Mac into Gmail. Right-click on it and click Move > Choose Folder.
- Next, you will need to select the items that you want to move from the selected folder. Then, right-click on them and click Move > Choose Folder.
- Go to the Gmail folder and click Copy. This will move all the data in your present Outlook Mailbox into the Gmail account.
Part 4 – Export Outlook data from Mac to Windows
- Launch Outlook for Windows on your Windows PC.
- Configure the same Gmail account that you configured in the Outlook for Mac application.
- It will show the entire Outlook for Mac mailbox data.
- Now, to export all this data, click on File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- In the Import and Export wizard, click on the Export to a file option. Click Next.
- Select the Outlook Data File (.pst) option and click Next.
- Browse for the save location and click Finish.
You have successfully exported Outlook for Mac data (.OLM) data to Windows PC in a PST file.
Drawbacks of the DIY Method
This method is free to use but has some drawbacks, such as –
- It is a lengthy and time-consuming method.
- It is a complex method having a lot of steps.
- It requires users to create additional email accounts.
- It can result in missing data.
A Simple Way to Import OLM Files into Outlook for Windows
The workaround discussed above is a very lengthy and time-consuming. There is no guarantee that it will work. You may also have to face challenges while configuring the IMAP server, inconsistent or missing data after the transfer. Hence, to make sure that you have accurately imported data from an OLM file into Outlook for Windows, leverage an advanced OLM to PST converter.
Stellar Converter for OLM is a DIY mailbox converter designed specifically to convert OLM files to Outlook importable PST file format. This software can easily convert OLM files to PST files without any hiccups. It also comes with an Advanced Filter option to auto-split large OLM files and save them as multiple PST files. If you have numerous archived OLM files ready to be imported into Outlook for Windows, simply select multiple OLM files and convert them into multiple PST files in a single operation.
Follow the steps below to convert an OLM file to PST file –
- Download and Install Stellar Converter for OLM on your Windows PC.
- Launch it.
- On the Home screen, click on the Select OLM Mailbox option.
- Browse for the .OLM file and click on Convert.
- Let the software scan the selected .OLM file.
- Once the scan is complete, it will show all the mailbox data. Preview them to verify the mailbox items.
- Once you are satisfied, click on the Save Converted Mailbox option.
- You can save the converted mailbox items as a PST file, export them to an existing Outlook profile, or save them in other file formats, like MSG and EML.
- Choose the save folder and click Save.
Note – You will need to activate your copy of the software before saving the converted files.
Stellar Converter for OLM helps you convert and import OLM files into Outlook for Windows with ease. You can upgrade your copy of Stellar Converter for OLM to the Technician edition and directly export the converted OLM file to your Microsoft 365 account. The Technician edition also lets you save the OLM file data as EML, MSG, HTML, RTF, and PDF files.
Conclusion
There is no direct way to import OLM files to Outlook. However, configuring the IMAP server can help you transfer your mailbox data from a Mac to a Windows PC. However, you may encounter issues in the process. Instead, you can rely on a DIY OLM to PST file converter to convert OLM files into PST and easily import OLM files into Outlook for Windows.
