How to Restore and Backup IMAP Emails in Outlook PST Format?

If you use Outlook you understand the importance of keeping your emails secure. Sometimes your email account uses the IMAP interface. IMAP is useful because it lets you check your emails on different devices. Backing up and restoring your IMAP emails can be difficult. But don't be concerned. This guide will show you how to easily back up and recover your IMAP emails in Outlook PST format.

What is an IMAP Email Account?

Before we get into the backup and restore process let's briefly discuss IMAP. IMAP means Internet Message Access Protocol. You can check your email on different platforms. When you remove or move an email in your inbox it happens across all devices. Unlike POP which downloads emails and deletes them from the server IMAP keeps emails saved on the server. This means your emails might not be safe unless you back them up.

Why should you Backup your IMAP Emails?

It's important to back up your emails because you might lose them for different reasons. For example if there's a problem with technology or you mistakenly delete an important email as a backup make sure you have another copy. The best way to keep your IMAP emails safe is to turn them into a PST file.

PST Files

A PST (Personal Storage Table) file is a special file type used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails/ contacts and calendar items. PST files are helpful because they let you save emails on your computer. This way you don't have to worry about losing them from the server.

Manual Process to Restore and Backup IMAP Emails in Outlook PST Format

How to Backup IMAP Emails to PST Format?

You can save your IMAP emails with Outlook. The manual process is simple and does not need any outside tools. Just follow these simple steps-

Step 1 - Launch Microsoft Outlook on your PC first.

Step 2 - When Outlook opens click on the File tab in the top-left area.

Step 3 - Go to the Info tab and look for Account Settings. Click on it then select Account Settings from the drop-down menu again.

Step 4 - Right now click on the Data Files tab. Choose the email account you want to back up and then click Export. A new window will appear with choices.

Click "Next" after selecting "Export to a file."

Step 5 - Select Microsoft Outlook Data File (.pst) and then click next. This file type will keep your emails saved on your computer.

Step 6 -Select the folder you want to backup such as your inbox/send things to any other folder. You can choose to back up your whole mailbox if you want.

Step 7- Pick a spot on your computer to save the saved file. It's a good idea to save it in a spot that's easy to remember like your desktop or paper folder.

Press “Finish.”

Step 8 (optional)- Outlook will prompt you to set a password for your PST file. While this is unnecessary setting a password can add an extra layer of security.

Hit OK and wait for the file to finish. It might take some time based on how big your mailbox is.

When finished your IMAP emails will be saved in a PST file. You can now save this file safely on your computer or a USB drive.

How to Restore IMAP Emails from a PST File?

Restoring your IMAP emails from a PST file is also easy. Here's what to do-

Step 1 - Launch Microsoft Outlook on your PC again.

Step 2 - Click on the File tab in the upper-left area.

Step 3 - Click Open & Export in the left sidebar.

Step 4 - Click on Open Outlook Data File. A file explorer window will appear.

Step 5 -Find the PST file on your computer that you backed up earlier. When you find it click open.

Step 6 - Your PST file will now show up in the folder list on the left side of Outlook. You can view all your emails/ contacts and other information from your file.

You can easily move emails from the PST file back to your IMAP folders by dragging and dropping them.

Professional Method for Restoring and Backing IMAP Emails in Outlook PST Format

The manual method is good for most users, but it might not be the best choice if you have a lot of data or want to make the process automatic. That's where expert software is useful.

Many tools can help make backing up and restoring emails easier. One of the best options is ViceVersa IMAP Backup and Restore Software which works well for safely backing up IMAP emails. It helps users instantly save emails to their computer on an external drive or cloud storage so they don't lose information if something is accidentally deleted or if the server fails. Users can easily restore emails with a simple interface keeping their folder structure/ files and information intact. The software can handle various email accounts plan backups, and easily recover data. It offers an easy way to protect important emails and keep access to crucial information without any trouble, whether for personal use or business.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restore and Backup IMAP Emails in Outlook PST Format

01- Backup IMAP Emails in Outlook PST Format

• Open the tool and select the IMAP Backup option.

• Next, enter the account details for the emails you want to export.

• Please choose a specific folder or pick everything to start the backup.

• Select the output format option to export emails in the right format.

• Choose the choice to save only the attachments.

• Next, choose where you want to save the email backup files and hit "Backup Now" to start the process.

02- Restore IMAP Emails in Outlook PST Format

• Open the tool and choose the file type to restore or upload.

• After that, choose one or more PST files or a folder that contains PST files.

• Click the explore button to find and load your PST files.

• Now, confirm the IMAP account in which you want to upload the emails.

• To upload the email file, select a folder or make a new one to save it in.

• After the click on start uploading to begin the repair process.
• Once the backup is complete, you can share the backup log.

End Words

Backing up and restoring IMAP emails in Outlook PST format is essential to protect important data from accidental loss or server issues. The manual method is a good option for small-scale backups while professional tools like ViceVersa IMAP Backup and Restore Software provide a more efficient and automated solution. Whether using Outlook’s built-in features or advanced software regular backups ensure emails remain secure and accessible whenever needed.