Home » Blog » Outlook » How to Import PST to IMAP Account? Using Top 2 Proven Ways

How to Import PST to IMAP Account? Using Top 2 Proven Ways

  author
Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On October 28th, 2026
Reading Time 6 Min Read
Summary: Import PST to IMAP by using Outlook in which users have to import PST file into Classic Outlook, configure IMAP email account and then copy paste the emails to IMAP account. This method consumes lot of time that’s why we have presented professional PST to IMAP Backup tool, which easily import PST file to IMAP account.

Finding secure way to import PST to IMAP but don’t know how to do that? You can convert PST to IMAP safely by using two methods in batches. Which including manual & an automatic PST to IMAP migration tool. To use free manual method, you must have working knowledge of Classic Outlook. Secondly, free method to upload PST to IMAP is time consuming process & contains human errors.

Smart users choose risk free, secure, offline desktop based automatic PST to IMAP converter to get job done quickly on windows. Whether they want to access their PST file data from anywhere to store emails on server from local storage or to avoid data loss due to corruption or cyber-attacks. PST to IMAP Converter tool has become reliable option over manual workaround. Apart from this, it is also suggested by IT experts & normal users.

What are the Reasons to Import PST to IMAP?

Here are the main reasons users need to import PST file to IMAP:

  • Access Emails: Users can access their imported emails from different devices, like computers & smartphones through IMAP account.
  • Move Emails to Another Email Service: Users can transfer old emails from PST file to IMAP account when switching to new email service.
  • Keep Emails in One Place: After importing PST file to IMAP, users can combine their old PST emails with existing IMAP mailbox for easier email management.
  • Store Important Emails: Users can keep old business conversation, attachments & other crucial messages in their current email account.

Prerequisites for Importing PST to IMAP

  • Users have to install Classic Outlook on Windows computer to import PST file & transfer emails to IMAP account.
  • It keeps PST file accessible on system & ensure it is not corrupted.
  • Need good internet connection to upload emails to IMAP server & complete synchronization.
  • Importing & uploading large PST file can take considerable time, depending on file size & internet speed.

Method 1: Import PST to IMAP Account Using Outlook

Step 1: Import PST File into Classic Outlook

  1. At first, open Microsoft Outlook (Classic) on system.
  2. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
  3. Now, select Import from another program or file & click Next.
  4. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) & click Next.
  5. Then, click Browse, select PST file, choose duplicate handling option & click Next.
  6. Select location folder or mailbox, then click Finish. Wait for import to complete.

Step 2: Configure IMAP Email Account

  1. Open Classic Outlook & go to File > Add Account.
  2. Afterwards, enter your IMAP email address & follow prompts to configure account.
  3. Complete required authentication. Depending on your email provider, you may need to enter server settings or use an app password.
  4. Wait for Outlook to connect to account & synchronize its folders.

Step 3: Copy PST emails & folder to IMAP Account

  1. In Outlook’s folder pane, locate imported PST file & expand its folders.
  2. Now, in configured IMAP account, create destination folder. If you want to preserve original folder structure, create corresponding folders & subfolders.
  3. Then, select emails or folders you want to transfer & drag them into appropriate destination folders under IMAP account. Copying is preferable if you want to retain original PST data unchanged.
  4. Wait for Outlook to upload & synchronize emails with IMAP server.
  5. At the end, sign in to email account through its webmail interface & verify that emails, attachments & folders are available.

Limitation: This manual method can be time-consuming if users need to import large PST files. Transfer depends on destination mailbox’s storage capacity, server limits & upload speed. Also, IMAP primarily synchronizes email & folder, not full range of Outlook items like calendars, contacts & tasks.

How to Import PST File to IMAP Account using Automatic Solution?

RecoveryTools Outlook PST Migrator is a reliable solution to import PST to IMAP. It migrates PST files in bulk which saves users precious time. Tool allows users to select specific emails, folders & subfolders. PST to IMAP Converter provides recovery option for corrupted, damaged, inaccessible or orphaned PST files. This software saves email headers like To, From, Cc, Bcc, Subject, date & time along with body formatting, images & signatures.

Quick Steps of PST to IMAP Migration Tool

  1. At first, install & open PST to IMAP Converter on your computer & click Next to start tool.
    import pst to imap
  2. Secondly, choose option Convert Configured Outlook Mailbox data & hit Next button.
    add pst files
  3. Now, choose desired Folders as per your choice and click Next.
    select required folders
  4. Then, select IMAP as a saving option. Enter ID & Password of IMAP account & enter IMAP Host along with IMAP Port.
    select imap
  5. Finally, click Next button to start import PST to IMAP.
    click convert

Benefits of PST to IMAP Converter

  • Various Migration Options: It converts PST files into MBOX, EML, MSG, PDF, HTML & DOC. Users can access their email data in various formats.
  • Bulk PST Migration: Tool processes multiple PST files in one batch. It saves time when users need to migrate large mailboxes.
  • Advanced Email Filters: Users can filters emails by date range, sender, recipient & subject. It can also exclude empty or unwanted folders.
  • Preserves Folder Hierarchy: This software maintains original folder & subfolder structure while migrating. It keeps emails organized & easy to find.
  • Works on Windows & Mac: Offers version for Windows & macOS. Users can choose supported version for their operating system.
  • Trial Version: This software offers free demo version that convert first 25 emails per folder, this helps users to understand structure of software.
  • Offline Processing: PST to IMAP Converter work offline for file conversion, It helps users to process local PST data without uploading files to online server.
FAQs

Q1. Does suggested PST to IMAP Converter support selective PST conversion?

Yes, users can select preferred emails, folders & subfolders for conversion.

Q2. Can I filter emails before migration process?

It provides advanced filters based on date range, sender, recipient & subject.

Q3. Can I choose location where to store converted files?

Yes, users can select destination folder or storage location for output.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have explained both manual and professional method to import PST to IMAP. Users can choose any method that is suitable for their work. However, manual method has lots of steps to do which is time taking process for users who have large amount of PST files, whereas PST to IMAP Converter directly import PST file to IMAP account without installing Outlook.

Google Preferred Source