Moving to a new computer is always one of the traumatic situations because you have to take care of a lot of things. You will need to install different software, configure email accounts, etc., all while assuring a smooth and high-performing device. But don’t worry, this article will provide you solution to one of your problems, which is how to move PST file from one computer to another.
Transfer of Outlook PST files is not an easy job because these data files are highly prone to corruption and damage. Therefore, you need to be very cautious during the process to avoid any possible errors.
Why users need to migrate Outlook PST to new computer?
The situations where you might plan to transfer your PST file data from one system to another system can occur anytime as the security & requirement of your data is uncertain. We are going to mention some of the main reasons why a person needs to move a PST to a new computer.
- If you are switching between various forms of systems, like the desktop to laptop.
- If you are switching from one version of Outlook to another version of Outlook.
- If you are moving from one version of Windows to another version of Windows.
- Switching Outlook data from Windows PC to Mac or vice versa.
- If you are moving from desktop Outlook to Outlook Web Access.
- Transferring data from one email account to another.
- Moving Outlook data items between different PCs.
- Want to transfer Outlook items to an IMAP or Exchange Server.
So, these are the situations when you may need to transfer PST from one computer to another.
MS Outlook allows various PST data activities for the users which include merging Outlook archive files to your preferred PST file manually. Just like that, when you want to shift your PST files to another location but to perform this you need to know where your PST file is located on your system. You can track the file easily as PST files are saved with the .pst extension which is located at specific folder in your system but that depends on your Windows version.
Now, the process of where to find these files, are mentioned below:
- For Window XP users- drive:\Documents and Settings\user\Local\Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
- For Window Vista users - drive:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
- For Window 7 users - drive:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
- For Windows 8/8.1 users - drive:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
- For Windows 10 or 11 users -
- drive:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
- drive:\Users\<username>\Roaming\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
So, these are the locations where you can find a PST file. Now, we know a bit about PSTs, why you need to transfer one, and where they are in your system. Let’s now move forward to know the process of how to transfer a PST file from one system to another.
Having a backup copy of Outlook PST data saves users from losing their essential data as users can restore their data if the original PST file got damaged or corrupted. Sometimes your business requirements might ask you to transfer Outlook PST files to a new computer. Follow the methods explained below:
Method 1: Using Import/Export wizard of Outlook
You can easily move PST file from one computer to another by following easy steps:
Step 1: Go to Outlook, select file > Import/Export.
Step 2: Now, choose the Export to a file option and click Next.
Step 3: Select your Outlook PST file & click Next.
Step 4: Now, choose the folder of your Outlook mailbox you want to create & click Next.
Step 5: Then, assign the location to store your backup file in the system & click Finish.
Step 6: Put encryption password on your file if you want to keep it private.
Step 1: Launch MS Outlook application, then go to the File tab and click Open & Export > Import/Export.
Step 2: In Import and Export Wizard, click on Import from another program or file, and click Next to proceed further
Step 3: Now select Outlook data file (.pst) and click Next.
Step 4: Browse and choose your PST file under Options and select the particular option as per your requirement.
Step 5: Finally, select the folder that you want to import and also check the Include subfolders box and click Finish option to begin the process.
There is no direct method to move PST file from one computer to another. To do so, you have to follow the procedures as mentioned above. You may also want to transfer Outlook address book from one system to another, so following right methods are required. Though it is a very time consuming and complicated process, and you must make sure you perform step by step process carefully to avoid Outlook PST file corruption.
Method 2: Copy Paste the Outlook PST
Make sure to be very mindful when performing the Copy-Paste operation on the PST file as it can otherwise damage your data. Use the following process:
Step 1: Open Outlook, click File and then select Account Settings > Account Settings.
Step 2: Go to Data Files and select to Open File Location.
Step 3: From the location, select and copy the PST file to a USB drive.
Step 4: Connect the USB to the second computer and open Outlook then go to File.
Step 5: Tap on Open & Export > Import/Export.
After that, follow the process 2 from the above method to import PST to Outlook and access the data on the new computer.
Method 3: Move PST file from one computer to another with cloud storage
In this method, we will use a cloud storage platform as the intermediate and then transfer data to another computer. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Open any cloud storage you use and upload the desired PST on the source PC.
Step 2: Now, on your target PC, login to the same cloud storage.
Step 3: Download the previously uploaded PST file.
Step 4: Open Outlook on the new system and go to File.
Again, follow the above process to import PST file to Outlook on your new computer.
Common Issues During PST File Transfer
Here are some common issues resulting in incomplete transfers that you need to be aware of before you start to migrate Outlook PST to new computer:
- Process might fail if the PST file is open in Outlook or other email applications.
- Damaged and corrupted Outlook PSTs can show errors during the process.
- Weak or fluctuating network connection often result in migration failure.
- Moving PST file without the required permissions leads to failed transfer.
- Using PST files larger than the allowed size limit causes restrictions.
How to fix PST file corruption after data transfer?
Issues in the PST file, like corruption and damages, that are a result of sudden power outage, server crash, or improper shutdowns results in data inaccessibility. Using manual processes or in-built utility (Scanpst.exe) to fix PST file corruption is not a wise solution as these won't help you fix severe corruption.
For the files with major corruption, use Kernel for Outlook PST repair, an effective software that repairs the infected PST files. It also helps in repairing PST files that are password-protected and retrieve permanently deleted or lost emails from the mailboxes. With this tool, you can fix PST file and export data to PST, PDF, MSG, EML, and other file formats.
Conclusion
Transferring PST file data to a different location can be required due to several reasons as we have discussed above in the article. We have also mentioned effective methods about how one can transfer a PST file from one system to another. Before proceeding with any sort of migration it’s essential to find your PST file and where it is located on your system, depending on the version of Windows OS you are using. Also, you can find the prominent ways to perform the transfer followed with the reasons & scenarios. But, if you are facing another common problem with PSTs, like corruption, use the recommended PST Repair tool, which provides automated solutions in fixing severe corruption issues in PST files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to move Outlook contacts to another computer?
A: To transfer contacts to another PC, follow the steps below:
- Open Outlook.com and sign in to your account.
- Go to People and then click on Manage Contacts.
- Select Export Contacts and then All Contacts. Click Export.
Q: How to locate PST files in Windows 11?
A: You can find your Outlook PST files at the following location:
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Outlook Files
