How to Merge Outlook PST Files into One -Manually?

Last updated on March 24th, 2022 at 06:48 am

This article will provide the most straightforward and proven method to join a lot of PST files into one Outlook PST file. A lot of users have a large number of PST files on their computer and wish to combine the entire PST files into one file to efficiently manage them without risking data loss. The PST merging is the most effective method to solve the issue of data corruption or loss as well as security concerns for data. Before we get into the actual procedure of various ways we must first learn what is the Outlook PST file. So, let’s begin.

What is a PST file?

The PST (or the Personal Storage Table) is an Outlook data file that can be used to store various types of data such as contacts, emails calendars, events, calendars tasks, and more.

Need to Merge Outlook PST files

MS Outlook is the most widely used and popular email client among users across all over the world. It is extensively used by both big and small for information exchange. It is no doubt that the average user is able to send and receive multiple daily files which can lead to the loss of data or risking the management of data. To address this issue, Outlook data files must be combined to facilitate simple search and management.

Another reason to merge an old or archives PST file is to make it easier for the email account linked to MS Outlook. Users can have multiple email accounts in this email client without issue. Each email account comes with it’s own PST file that is attached to it as data files. A lot of PST documents are generated for various email accounts, causing chaos in the process as well as slowing MS Outlook.

The next question that comes up is in your mind what is the best way to combine PST files within Microsoft Outlook. Here are ways to combine or merge PST files. Before talking about the process, it is important be aware of the advantages that come with Outlook PST merge, which can be found below:

Benefits of merging PST files 

• Excellent Speed:

If you make sure that your Outlook PST files are appropriately handled this can speed up the search and retrieval procedure, which means that you won’t need to wait for a long time to open one file.

• Well-maintained PST files: 

After all the PST files are organized following merging, it becomes simple to alter or manage.

• Multi-collection of PST files: 

If you combine PST files, when you merge the PST files, the entirety of of your PST files will be in one location from a different place for ease of access.

• Quick Switching: 

The PST merge procedure allows you to swiftly switch PST files to an upgraded Microsoft Outlook version.

• Clean extra occupied space: 

Following the PST merging process is completed, it will reduce the amount of space used with PST files. It will reduce the space occupied by PST file by eliminating redundant PST files. This improves the efficiency of the process and also frees up storage space taken up by PST files.

A Manual Method to Consolidate PST Files in One

It is possible to merge PST files manually using two methods;

1. Create a new blank Outlook PST file.
2. Import PST files into newly created PST files (blank).

Part 1: Create a new blank Outlook PST file.

• Open Outlook application on your system.
• Click on the Home menu. Select new items and then click to open Other Items options
• Once you have done that, click on the Outlook Data File option.
• Choose a location for saving the newly created PST file. This is done in the Create or Open Outlook Data File window, then click “OK.

Part 2 – Import PST files into newly created PST file (blank)

When the creation of the file is finished, you are able to select to use the MS Outlook import option to transfer all PST documents into the newly created PST file, one at a time. Utilize instructions for the Import PST Option, following the easy steps listed below.

1. Navigate to the ‘File’ menu. Then, click on the “Open” tab, and then select Import option.
2. Select the ‘Import from another program or a file’ option on the Import as well as Export Wizard’ dialogue box, then select on the next button. 
3. Then, you can click on the Import file window for Outlook files (.pst) and then click Next.
4. Then click the Browse button to select the PST file you want to import into a new PST file. Also, choose other options (if necessary). Click the Next button.
5. Choose the mailbox folder you wish to transfer into the newly created PST file. You can also select other options as you need. Hit the End button
6. After the process has begun, the program will import PST files into freshly created PST files with success.

Limitations of PST Merge Manual Procedure

Below are a few limitations to making use of the manual method of merging Outlook PST files as shown below:

1. The manual procedure is based in the size of PST file as well as the number of PST files you would like to combine.
2. The manual procedure is complicated and could easily be confusing for beginners.
3. Damaged or corrupted PST files cannot be supported using the manual method.
4. It’s not a reliable method to merge PST files with no data loss.

Final Words

This blog post I’ve described the process of manually merging PST files into one file in Outlook by following a step-by step process. If you are unable to join your PST files with this method it is possible to use an external tool such as PST Merger Software which allows users to combine multiple Outlook PST data files into one file in just a few steps. It can work with each of ANSI as well as Unicode files, and gives three options i.e. Adds PST files, Add PST folder for combining PST files inside MS Outlook. With the assistance of the most effective PST merging tool you will be able to efficiently complete the merging process without any restrictions in merging any file or data within Outlook PST files or on the size of the files.