Microsoft Outlook
Export to an Outlook Data File (.pst)
Every 10 years (...) I make a backup of my mailbox.
Nowadays, I check my mail through webmail, but I still have an
email account configured in
Outlook, of the
IMAP/SMTP type.
If you want to export your mailbox, no problem:
- launch Outlook
- File > Open & Export > Import/Export
- Import and Export Wizard window:
- Choose an action to perform: Export to a file
- Next >
- Create a file of type: Outlook Data File (.pst)
- Next >
- Select the folder to export from, check the Include subfolders checkbox if wanted
- Next >
- Save exported file as: E:\nter\The\Desired\FileName.pst
- Finish
- Create Outlook Data File window:
- You can enter a password, if wanted
- OK
- Wait for the export to complete and you'll find your .pst file in the indicated location.
Now, the
tricky part is reading the .pst file.
- again, in Outlook
- File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File
- choose your .pst file
- in the Folder Pane, an Outlook Data File item appears
- uncollapse this item and choose a message folder (e.g. Inbox), you'll always see: We didn't find anything to show here.
Apparently, that's because you exported an IMAP type mailbox, then the
messages marked for deletion are hidden...
- So, with a message folder selected, click the View menu > Change View
- instead of 'Hide Messages Marked for Deletion', choose Preview
- the messages in the folder now appear
- if there are subfolders, however, they'l still state We didn't find anything to show here
- Now return to the message folder you've already corrected, and in the View menu, now choose once again Change View
- now choose Apply Current View to Other Mail Folders...
- check all desired message folders and check the Apply view to subfolders checkbox if necessary
- now check the subfolders again, and you'll see the messages.
That's it!