Best Solution to Convert PST to MSG Format Safely

The PST file is the primary storage data file used by Microsoft Outlook. It stores the entire mailbox, including emails, attachments, and other data files. On the other hand, MSG is a single Outlook email file. It contains only the emails, metadata, and attachments. Convert PST to MSG is helpful when you want to back up or share specific emails, avoid corruption, or meet compliance requirements. Here, we will perform conversion with the manual methods and by using an automated utility like SysInfo PST File Converter.

Why Should You Export PST to MSG?

Converting the PST data files into MSG format has numerous benefits. Some points are mentioned below to understand the importance and need.

  • For sharing individual Outlook messages without sending the whole PST.
  • Create selective backups of important emails only.
  • It reduces corruption risks caused by an oversized PST file.
  • Helps to organise messages into smaller and manageable files.
  • Used to preserve emails for legal, compliance, or investigation purposes.
  • It makes sure the lightweight, secure, and portable storage, compared to PST.

Native Approach to Convert PST to MSG

This section contains two manual methods to convert your files to the MSG format. Choose the suitable method for you and consider the following limitations of these steps as well. Follow the steps to convert the PST file to MSG format efficiently.

Method 1: Using Drag & Drop to Convert Outlook PST to MSG

  1. Firstly, open Microsoft Outlook.
  2. Then, go to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File to access your PST.
  3. Next, select the PST file you wish to convert, and click Open
  4. Now, navigate to the folder and select the emails you want to convert.
  5. Thereafter, create a folder on the desktop to store the MSG file.
  6. Then, drag & drop the selected emails from Microsoft Outlook into the desired folder.
  7. Each email will be saved as an individual MSG file in the specified folder.
  8. At last, open the destination folder to confirm the MSG files are saved correctly.

Limitations: 

  • Only suitable for a few emails at a time.
  • Time-consuming for a large number of emails.
  • Does not preserve folder structure.

Method 2: Save As MSG Format

  1. First, open Microsoft Outlook.
  2. Then, go to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File to access your PST.
  3. Now, open the folder and select the email you want to save.
  4. Thereafter, click File > Save As.
  5. In “Save as type”, choose Outlook Message Format (.msg).
  6. Afterwards, pick the location and give a file name, and click Save.
  7. Finally, repeat the steps for other emails.

Limitations:

  • Only one email can be saved at a time, making it insufficient for bulk conversion.
  • Requires manual repetition for each email.
  • Does not support folder structure preservation.

Convert PST to MSG Using Specialized Software

If you are facing issues while performing the conversion with manual methods, then you should move to a professional solution. Here, we will see how you can do a migration using a PST Converter. This tool maintains the folder hierarchy and supports bulk conversion of files. Additionally, it can be used by anyone on any OS without Outlook and ensures you get optimum outputs. Moreover, it has a demo version for a few free conversions securely and efficiently.

Steps to Convert PST File to MSG

  1. To start, download the PST Converter Tool.
  2. After that, select the PST File or Folder, and click Next.
  3. Then, preview and tick your files, and click Next.
  4. Afterwards, choose the MSG file format and apply the provided features, and click Next.
  5. Finally, select the file path to save and click Convert.

Difference Between PST and MSG File Formats

Feature

PST (Personal Storage Table)

MSG (Mail Messages)

Data Storage

Stores the whole Outlook mailbox, including emails, contacts, calendars, etc

Stores only a single email with complete details, making it easier to handle

File Size

Often grows very large and may reach up to 50GB

Always lightweight since each email is saved separately.

Sharing

Difficult to share one specific email without extracting it first

Easy to share individual emails directly with others

Backup & Organisation

Not convenient for selective backup

Perfect for selective backup and well-organised storage

Legal and Compliance Use

Not suitable for presenting a single message as evidence

Widely used in legal, investigation, and compliance cases.

Conclusion

To conclude, a PST file keeps all your Outlook data in one big place, while an MSG file saves just one email at a time. Sometimes, you don’t need the whole PST; you just want a single important email. That’s when convert PST to MSG makes things much easier.

Drag & Drop or Save As manual methods work fine for a few emails. But when you have multiple emails to convert, these methods are not efficient. That’s why using a PST Converter Tool is a better choice. It saves time, keeps your folders in order, and lets you convert many emails at once without problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I convert PST to MSG without Outlook installed?

Ans. Yes, you can. If you use the PST Converter Tool, it does not need Outlook to be installed on your computer. The tool itself can read the PST file and change it into MSG format.

Q2. Is it safe to use third-party software to export PST to MSG?

Ans. Yes, it is safe if you choose a trusted tool. The SysInfo PST Converter Tool keeps your emails, attachments, and folder structure the same. It does not delete or damage your data, so your emails stay secure.

Q3. How long does it take to convert a PST file to MSG?

Ans. It depends on the size of your PST file. For small PST files, it only takes a few minutes. For very large PST files, it can take a bit longer. But the PST Converter Tool works faster than manual methods, so it saves you a lot of time.

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About The Author:

As a content writer, I specialize in Email Migration, Data Recovery, Email Backup, and File Management. I have been writing professionally for two years now. There is so much information available in this field that I am intrigued by the newer technologies and techniques.

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