How to Import PST to Exchange Server Hassle-free?
Are you struggling to import PST to Exchange server? Whether you’re an IT professional dealing with large mailboxes or an individual looking to migrate from Outlook to Exchange online, importing PST file to Exchange mailbox can be very complex and hectic, only if you don’t know the right process.
In this informative article, we will guide you through why should you migrate PST file to Exchange online and how to do it hassle-free using both manual and professional methods. Keep reading on for all information.
Why Import PST to Exchange Server?
PST files are commonly used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, contacts, calendars and other data. Although PST files are are best for storing individual data, relying on them in an organization setup may lead to serious challenges. Multiple scattered PST files across various systems or drives make data management messy and prone to data loss.
Importing PST file to Exchange online archive is a tactical step for businesses that need better control, security, and accessibility of their email data through multiple devices. Here’s why this migration is must.
1. Better Accessibility
With Exchange server, the data accessibility becomes more flexible. Users can access their email and other data anytime, anywhere from any device and location.
2. Prevent Data Loss
When keeping on local storage, the PST files are more prone to be lost, accidently deleted and corrupted. By migrating them into Exchange online, you may get advantages of automatic backups and disaster recover options in case of any of data loss.
3. Enhanced Security
Keeping PST locally involves the risk of theft, hardware failure and unauthorized access. Meanwhile, Exchange server provide and extra layer of securing to them with encryption and authorized access.
In short, migrating PST file to Exchange online is a step forward towards more secure and organized email data management.
Methods to Import PST File to Exchange Online
There are generally two methods to migrate PST to Exchange file to Exchange online. Please review them one by one below.
Method 1. Using Exchange Admin Center (EAC)
Exchange server 2019, 2016 and 2013 provides features for importing PST files with the Exchange Admin Center and Exchange Management shell. Read forward for detailed instructions.
Important Notes:
- You must ensure that PST files are stored on a shared network folder accessible by Exchange.
- Assign Mailbox Import Export Role to the user account.
Step 1. Assign import role:
New-ManagementRoleAssignment –Role “Mailbox Import Export” –User Administrator
Step 2. Place PST files in shared folder
Step 3. Next, open Exchange admin center and go to Recipients >> Mailboxes
Step 4. Then, select Mailbox >> More Options >> Import PST.
Step 5. Assign the Network path of PST files.
Step 6. Select import location (Mailbox root or specific folder)
Step 7. Finally, start the import process.
The import process will begin soon and once done you can check the status via “Get-MailboxImportRequest”
So, that’s how to import PST to Exchange server manually using EAC. This method is straightforward, but it has certain limitation that you must review below:
Limitations of the Method
- This is very complex and, you must have a technical knowledge of Exchange and PowerShell.
- This method is very time consuming especially if the dataset is large.
If you want simpler and non-technical approach to Import PST file into Exchange online mailbox, find it below.
Easy Way to Import PST to Exchange Online
PCDOTS PST Converter Software is best for those who want to effortlessly migrate PST file to Exchange 2019, 2016 and below versions. With this software, you can directly import PST to Exchange on premise without any complexity. Also, this software works perfectly even with the large datasets and multiple mailboxes.
Try and test the tool for free now and experience the difference. Also, you may review the steps below to determine the software’s working.
Steps to Import PST Files into Exchange Online Mailbox
- Download the software on Windows and install and launch it.
- Click the Open menu and select Email Data Files and Outlook PST/OST Files.
- Next, browse your PST files, select them and click “Open” to import them into the tool.
- You will see that all the selected PST files have been loaded into the tool.
- Next, go to Export menu and select IMAP from the drop-down menu.
- Enter your Exchange server details and then click the Save button.
So, that how to import PST file to Exchange online with the software and it’s completely easier than the manual method.
In Conclusion
Importing PST files into Exchange mailbox helps better data management and provides extra layer of securing and accessibility. In the article above, we have provided you with the two methods to import PST to Exchange server. One is manual method using the Exchange admin center and the other is professional software. While the manual method is best for small data migration it fails with large datasets and multiple mailboxes. Meanwhile software allows to import multiple PST files into Exchange on premise in bulk without any complexity or failure.
