How to Export IMAP to PST File Format?
Jenny Lowrence | November 5th, 2025 | Data Backup
Are you tired of searching for a simple and reliable method to export IMAP to PST file? Look no further! In this article, we’ll explore two simple approaches to convert IMAP to PST file. Stay with us till the end of this article to find the methods that suit your needs best.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a standard email protocol that allows users to access their emails from multiple devices while keeping them synchronized on the mail server. However, relying only on the server has risks – data may be lost due to hacking, accidental deletion, or server shutdowns.
Exporting an IMAP mailbox to PST is a smart way to prevent data loss. There are several benefits of this conversion:
- Create a local backup of your mailbox
- Free up space on the server
- Access your emails offline
- Easily move emails to another Outlook account
This article includes two solutions either you can use Outlook or an automated tool to download IMAP to PST. Check out both the solutions in detail.
How to Export IMAP to PST File Free?
You can manually backup IMAP to PST via Outlook. Follow these steps:
- Launch the Outlook application on your system.
- Then, click on the File tab and select Add Account option.
- Set up your IMAP account with Outlook.
- Now, Outlook will sync your IMAP mailbox folders.
- After that, again go to the File menu.
- Click the “Open & Export” option and choose the “Import/Export” feature.
- In Import Export Wizard, choose the “Export to a file” option from the drop-down list.
- Thereafter choose “Outlook data file(.pst)” as an option to export IMAP emails and tap on the “Next” button.
- Now, choose the folders from your IMAP account that you wish to export into PST file format.
- After that, browse a location to choose a path to save the exported PST file and tap on the “Finish” button to complete the process.
Done! That’s how Outlook export IMAP to PST file.
Why Should You Avoid Manual Solution?
Undoubtedly, the manual method seems easy but it is also not free from any limitations. Have a look at the major drawbacks and demerits of the manual solution
- Time-consuming as it could take a lot of time to export IMAP to PST.
- Chances of errors are also possible, which may lead to huge data loss.
- You may not follow the same steps with every version of Outlook.
- Obligatory to install Outlook to carry out this method
- There are no email filter options to choose selective IMAP emails.
How to Backup IMAP to PST File Professionally?
Advik IMAP Migration Tool allows users to export IMAP mailbox to PST format and other file formats such as PDF, EML, MBOX, HTML, CSV, DOC, and many more. Moreover, it enables you backup IMAP emails to pc with attachments. This tool guarantees to maintain folder hierarchy throughout the process.
The software interface is extremely easy to use for technical and non-technical users. One can easily download and run this tool on their operating system. With this software, you will have access to all filters to ease the entire IMAP email backup process. Even the software can easily save IMAP emails in a bulk process within a single attempt.
Steps to Convert IMAP to PST File
Step 1. Run software and select IMAP Server.
Step 2. Enter IMAP email server credentials and click Login.
Step 3. Choose mailbox folders from IMAP account.
Step 4. Select PST as saving option.
Step 5. Select output target location to save Outlook .pst file.
Step 6. Click Backup button to start process.
This IMAP to PST Migration tool will immediately start converting emails into Outlook data file. Once it’s done! The program will pop up a successful notification. It will also create a complete log report.
Watch How to Export IMAP Mailbox to PST File
Key Features of IMAP to PST Converter
- Batch mode option to export IMAP to PST from multiple accounts at once.
- Convert the entire IMAP mailbox in a single attempt.
- Download selective folders from IMAP account to PST file.
- Also, export IMAP to MBOX, PDF, EML, and many other formats.
- Maintains folder and subfolder structure during the process.
- Preserves all email attributes such as To, From, Subject, etc.
- Advanced email filter options for selective email conversion.
- Easy-to-use interface to easily download IMAP emails to PST.
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.
Summary
Basically, there are two methods by which users can export IMAP to PST with complete mailboxes. However, there are a few drawbacks and limitations that make the manual solution a little compress. On the other hand, the professional solution, you to export multiple folders and also allows you to apply email filters. With this, user can convert IMAP emails to PST of their choice. As per the experts’ suggestion, for clean and accurate results, you have to choose a professional tool.
FAQs – Export IMAP to PST
Q 1. Does Outlook automatically save IMAP data to PST format?
Ans. No, Outlook stores IMAP data in an OST file, which isn’t a direct backup. You need to export the mailbox to PST file.
Q 2. Are there any size limitations in the manual method?
Ans. Yes, Outlook might slow down or crash when exporting large mailboxes. For large data, using a professional tool is recommended.
Q 3. Can I export some specific IMAP emails to PST?
Ans. Yes, the software offers advanced email filter options to export IMAP email to PST based on date range, to, from, subject, etc.
