How to Move Your Outlook Files from One Computer to Another Computer ?

Published By Jamie Kaler

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On November 28th, 2023

Reading Time 4 Minutes Reading

Category MS Exchange & Outlook

Moving Outlook data files from one computer to the other sounds like a very simple task. However, in reality, this is not true. While performing the migration process, one should be well acquainted with the additional data that needs to be migrated along with the main data files.

In this blog, we will discuss the procedure for migrating data files belonging to both Outlook for Mac and Outlook for Windows. Outlook users are well aware of the fact that Outlook for Mac stores data in OLM files and for Windows, the data is stored in PST file. We will discuss Outlook files when it is not synchronized with the Exchange server.

Location of Outlook Data file

• PST Files
  For Windows 8
  C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OutlookFor Windows 7
  C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Outlook Files
• Windows Vista
  C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Outlook Files
• Windows XP
  C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
• OLM Files
  The location of OLM files is:
  ~/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2011 Identities/Main Identity/Database

The most important factor that the user needs to keep in mind is that while the migration process for both OLM and PST files will be same, the procedure to access the files in Outlook for Windows is different. This will be discussed in the later sections of the article.

Other Files Associated with Outlook

While moving Outlook files from one PC to another, the user needs to keep in mind that Outlook does not store entire settings and information in PST file. There are some additional files, which store this information. In case you need to utilize features such as rules and toolbar, it is recommended to move these files as well. You just need to copy and save these files in the same location where they were saved in the previous machine. These files are:

• nk2: This file stores the AutoComplete entries of Outlook.
  Location:C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook

• dat: Stores the menu settings and toolbar.
  Location: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook

• Signatures Folder: Contains files and sub-directories with information
  Location: C:\Users\Username\AppData

Procedure to Move Outlook Files

For Moving PST Files

The basic process of moving Outlook files from one PC to another involves the following steps:

1. Copy the required PST files in a USB drive or external drive.
2. In the other PC, open Outlook.
3. Click on File
4. Select Open & Export
5. From the menu, select Import/Export
6. Select Import from another program or file
7. Click on Next.
8. Select Outlook data file (.pst)
9. Click on Next.
10. Browse the PST file that you have imported from other PC and click on

Once the above steps run successfully, the entire data from the moved PST file will be migrated to Outlook.

For Moving OLM Files

The process of moving and accessing Outlook for Mac OLM file in other PC is not as easy as accessing PST files. The reason being, the inability of Windows Outlook, to support the OLM file. The OLM file can only be accessed in Outlook for Mac and same is true for PST file. Therefore, in order to move and access OLM file in Windows Outlook following steps need to be followed:

1. Select and copy the OLM file in the USB drive or external drive.
2. Save the OLM file in Windows machine.
3. Convert OLM file to PSTNote: Conversion of OLM files to PST is not possible manually. For performing this conversion, third-party utilities like OLM Wizard should be deployed. The software converts the entire data residing in the OLM file to PST file format, without any data loss. In addition to this, the software facilitates the conversion of bulk OLM files to PST format in a quick manner.
4. Once the OLM file is converted to PST format, open Outlook.
5. Click on File
6. Select Open & Export
7. From the menu, select Import/Export
8. Select Import from another program or file
9. Click on Next.
10. Select Outlook data file (.pst)
11. Click on Next.
12. Browse the PST file and click on

Conclusion

Data always play an important role in the continuity in the workflow. Many times, there are the situation arises due to which users need to move their Outlook files from one PC to another. In the above discussion, we have discussed the way to perform the conversion from one system to another in an appropriate manner. If still there is some issue while moving the file then, feel free to connect with one of our experts.