If you frequently use Microsoft Outlook, you can have multiple PST files. It gets complex and time-consuming to handle merge multiple PST files together. In this article, we will discuss how to combine many PST files into a single file and why it is useful to do so.
How to Merge Multiple PST Files Into One?
Combining multiple PST files can be a hassle when you have a large number of data files to handle and merge. This process can take hours to complete when done manually via Outlook. It contains certain risks, like data loss, duplication of files, human errors, size limitations, etc.
It is common of large PST files getting corrupted while merging due to size limitations.
The best solution to this query is to use automated tools to combine multiple PST files effectively in less time. Now, let’s see why a user needs to merge PST files and move forward.
Why does a User Need to Merge PST Files Together?
- Saves Time: You don’t need to open each file to access or analyze the data.
- Better Organization: All your data and emails are in one location in one single PST file, which is easy to manage.
- Improves Outlook Performance: Fewer files improve the overall performance of the large PST files.
- Easier to Backup: One file is easier to store or backup as compared to multiple PST files.
- Useful for Migration: If you desire to change computers or Outlook versions, you can easily migrate the consolidated large files.
Ways to Merge Multiple PST Files into a Single One:
Let’s now consider how to combine several PST files into a single one using various ways. There are two principal ways to achieve this: the Manual Method and the Automated Method.
Method 1: Combining PST Manually Through Outlook
- Open Outlook.
- Navigate to File > Account Settings > Account Settings then Data Files and click ‘Add’ to add a new blank PST file.
- Navigate to the File tab, select ‘Open & Export,’ and then choose the ‘Import/Export’ option.
- Select Import from another program or file and click Next.
- Select Outlook Data File (.pst).
- Find and choose your desired PST file.
- Choose where to import the data (into the new PST file).
- Then, repeat these steps from scratch for each PST file.
Method 2: Combining PST Files Using an Expert PST Merge Tool
For users who need to merge multiple PST files into one in a hurry and without hassle, an expert PST merge tool is the ideal option. Merge PST Files using BitRecover expert software effectively and productively. This tool is programmed to make merging PST files fast and secure. A user can combine large PST files using this expert utility in just 5 easy steps:
- Install and download the PST merge tool.
- First, select your desired files by selecting the configured Outlook mailbox data option, which requires no Outlook installation, or you can simply select the other option, “select files/folders,” to choose manually. You can select the “recovery mode” option to merge corrupted files.
- Now, you can choose your desired destination path and required merging options. You can click the “remove duplicates” option to eliminate the repeated/duplicated files.
- Then, move forward and click on the Merge button to finish the process of merging PST files.
Demerits of Using Manual Method to Merge PST Files Into One:
- It is a time taking process if you have a large/multiple number of data files.
- There is no option to delete or remove duplicates automatically.
- High chances of human made problems as everything is done manually and data loss while combining.
- Cannot merge PST files together if they are password-protected.
- It offers no advanced features or filters to merge files in an organized manner.
- This approach is fine if you just need to merge two PST files into one or a few.
- It is not secure and safe for crucial data, as it is an online software.
- Complex to use.
Why Choose the Automated Method Over the Manual Method?
- It provides an easy-to-use user interface designed for non-technical users to easily understand and operate the software.
- It can merge in bulk without any size boundaries.
- This tool is the safest and most secure for merging crucial data, as it is an offline software. The data is not uploaded to the online server.
- It can merge the complete Outlook database, like merging emails, contacts, calendars, etc.
- It’s “remove duplicates” option allows users to eliminate the replicate files easily.
- It merges password-protected PST files automatically without any clutter.
- It preserves your folder structure. The tool doesn’t disturb the original hierarchy of the folders or files.
- It combines ANSI and Unicode PST files.
Merge Two PST Files into One Productively: Overview
If you have just two files, you can either go for the manual process or a tool. But even merging two PST files into one in Outlook takes a lot of effort and time. You will get it done faster and with less effort using a BitRecover PST merge tool.
Final Thoughts:
In this article, we learned about the ways to large PST files easily. There are ample ways to combine PST, but using an automated software is the best solution when you have multiple large PST files to join.