PST to Exchange Migration: Import Outlook PST to Exchange

PST files are Outlook’s portable archive format. Exchange is a server platform. Getting data from one into the other is a common IT task.

This guide covers two approaches to PST to Exchange migration: the manual Outlook import method and a dedicated migration tool for large or complex PST files.

Watch the Migration Tutorial

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK_irMsm-A0]

Method 1: Import PST to Exchange via Outlook

If you have Outlook installed and connected to your Exchange account, you can import a PST file directly from within Outlook.

Step 1. Open Outlook and go to File then Open and Export then Import/Export.

Step 2. Select Import from another program or file and click Next.

Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next. Browse to your PST file, select it and click Finish. Outlook imports the PST content into your Exchange-connected mailbox.

This method works for small PST files but is slow on large archives (over 2 GB) and requires Outlook to be installed and connected to the Exchange account.

Method 2: Direct PST to Exchange Migration Tool

For large PST files, multiple PST files or migrations that need to run without Outlook installed, use the Turgs PST to Exchange Migration Tool.

Step-by-Step: PST to Exchange Migration

Step 1. Launch the Turgs PST to Exchange Migration Tool.

Step 2. Click Add File or Add Folder to load your PST file.

Step 3. Select the PST folders you want to migrate. Tick all folders or select specific ones.

Step 4. From the saving options, select Exchange Server, Exchange Online or Hosted Exchange.

Step 5. Set the language and encoding options for your Exchange server.

Step 6. Select whether to import to an existing Exchange mailbox or create a new one.

Step 7. Enter your Exchange Server hostname and admin credentials.

Step 8. Click Import. The tool connects to Exchange and begins transferring PST data.

Step 9. When complete, a migration summary shows how many emails were imported. Verify by opening OWA or Outlook connected to Exchange.

What Gets Migrated

• Email messages including body, headers and attachments
• Contacts
• Calendar items
• Tasks and notes
• Folder hierarchy preserved exactly

For importing OLM (Mac Outlook) files to Exchange, see the OLM to Exchange migration guide. And for converting a password-locked PST before migration, see the PST password guide.

Are you migrating a single user’s PST archive or handling a batch migration for multiple users?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import PST to Exchange Online without Outlook installed?

Yes. The Turgs PST to Exchange Migration Tool reads PST files directly and connects to Exchange Online via EWS. No Outlook installation is required.

What is the maximum PST file size the tool supports?

The tool handles PST files up to 50 GB. For very large PST files, use the date filter to migrate in batches.

Can I migrate multiple PST files in one run?

Yes. Load multiple PST files using the Add Folder option. The tool processes them sequentially and imports each one to the specified Exchange mailbox.

Does the migration preserve email dates?

Yes. All email metadata including sent date, received date and headers are preserved in Exchange exactly as they appear in the PST file.

What Exchange versions are supported?

The tool supports Exchange Server 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and Exchange Online (Microsoft 365). Hosted Exchange is also supported.

Can I import a PST file to a public folder in Exchange?

Yes. Public folder import is supported. Select Public Folder as the destination mailbox type when entering Exchange credentials.