Complete Guide to Merge Multiple Outlook 2016 PST Files

Read time 6 min

With the advancement in MS Outlook features, there are now no limitations on PST file size. Therefore, individuals are looking for methods to merge small PST files that were created using previous versions of Outlook so that they can use it as a single file within their MS Outlook.

In older versions of Outlook, there were always limitations for PST file size due to which users were not allowed to create large-sized PST files. However, Microsoft resolved this issue in the latest version of Outlook, such as Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010. But, users having small PST files are still willing to merge them into a single file.

Here we will discuss how you can merge two or more PST files with manual methods as well as a third-party utility.

Highlights

• Reasons to Merge PST Files
• Manual Method to Merge PST files
• Alternate Solution to Merge PST files

Reasons to Merge PST Files

Before moving to the solutions to merge PST files, let’s first discuss why you need to merge two PST files. It often happens with most users when they create multiple PST files for different Outlook accounts without thinking that the management and handling of multiple PST files will be complicated. When you merge or combine multiple PST files into one, you can avail benefits like:

• Avoid loss or accidental deletion of PST files when they are kept here and there
• Avoid sharing files one by one which consumes time
• Save the time spent on opening multiple files

A combined PST file is easy to manage, use, open, and share as compared to multiple PST files.

Methods to Combine PST Files

There are two ways to combine or merge PST files – the first method is a manual process, whereas, the second one is using a third-party tool – Kernel Merge PST. So, let have a look at the manual process first.

Manual Method to Merge PST Files

The manual method is a two-step process, in which you’ll have to create a blank PST file and then import data from all PST files to this empty PST file.

Step 1: Creating a blank PST file

1. Go to MS Outlook and click New Items from the menu bar.
2. Select More items, and then click Outlook Data File option.
3. Choose a location to save the new PST file.
4. Give it a name and click OK.

After a blank PST file is created, import all PST files to this file.

Step 2: Importing data from multiple PST file to the blank PST

1. Open MS Outlook and go to File>>Open & Export >>Import/Export.
2. Now, opt Import from another program or file in the Wizard and click Next.
3. Select Outlook Data File(.pst) as file type and click Next.
4. Now, click the Browse button and select the PST file that you want to import.
5. After selecting the file, check the checkbox Do not import duplicates and click Next.
6. Select the folders that you want to import.
7. Check the checkboxes Include Subfolders and Import items into the same folder
8. Click Finish.

Similarly, you can import other PST files one by one to the blank pst files. Once all files are imported, their data will be merged into a single PST file.
Knowing the above steps, you might have observed how complicated it is to merge PST files manually. So, to make it easier for you, if we have an alternative solution – Kernel Merge PST.

Alternate Solution – Kernel Merge PST

Kernel Merge PST is an advanced tool that is specifically designed to merge two or more PST files. It is empowered with advanced features that make the merging process easier. Let’s take a look at the working process.

1. Install and launch Kernel Merge PST tool on your system.



2. Click the Add files button to add multiple PST files to the tool.
   
3. After adding the PST files, select the Merge option, and click Next.
   
4. Select the specific folders from the files that you want to merge and click Next.
   
5. Apply filters to the PST files based on your requirements and select a destination to save the merged PST file, and then click Next.
   
6. The tool will start merging PST files. Meanwhile, you can see the process on the screen.
   
7. Once it is complete, a notification will appear on the screen confirming the same, click OK to end the process.
   

This is the simplest method to merge PST files without any hassle and data loss.

Conclusion

Those who used to work on the previous versions of Outlook can merge their PST files for use in the latest versions as they support large PST files. Though it can be achieved easily using the manual method, it will consume considerable time and effort. So, here, we also talked about a third-party tool that will help individuals to merge multiple Outlook PST files quickly without much effort.