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How to Import OLM File to Outlook Windows? Complete Guide

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Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On October 8th, 2024
Reading Time 7 Min Read

Overview: This informative guide will help users import OLM to Outlook Windows. We understand that it is not an easy task, but once you find a reliable approach this task becomes easy. Today we have thoroughly discussed the process to open OLM file on Windows Outlook easily without any trouble.

Outlook for Mac exports all its mailbox items including emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, and journals into an OLM archive. Unfortunately, Microsoft Outlook for Windows does not support OLM data files. That’s the main reason users import OLM to Outlook Windows.

Various methods allow users to open OLM file on Windows Outlook. One such method is uploading OLM to an IMAP folder of the Exchange Server & then exporting Exchange data to a PST file.

Outlook for Windows allows to access the data that is available or located in the Exchange Server. Windows Outlook can connect to the Exchange Server by either using Cached Exchange Mode or Online Mode and import OLM to Exchange Server. Users can also use the Export-mailbox shell cmdlet from Server PowerShell to export Exchange mailbox data to Outlook.

However, these are some confusing methods that are not reliable for all users. Below we have provided easy methods on how to import OLM file into Windows Outlook that any of our readers can easily implement.

Before You Import OLM to Outlook Windows:

Before exporting, it is important to know the following basic information about the OLM file and Windows Outlook.

Features Source – OLM Outlook for Windows
Compatibility MacOS Windows
File Extension .olm .pst
Uses Stored email messages including attachments, contacts, calendar, etc. Saves email messages including attachments, contacts, calendar, etc in PST format
Developed by Microsoft Microsoft
File Size No inherent 50 GB (Outlook 2010 and later)

Why Is it Tricky to Open OLM File on Windows Outlook?

Unfortunately, there are several reasons why this task is quite frustrating to import OLM to Outlook Windows for normal users:

  • OLM is not the supported file extension of Outlook for Windows.
  • Various methods are tough to implement by a non-technical user.
  • Dependency on third-party tools that are not always safe and reliable.

How to Import OLM to Outlook Windows Manually?

You can open OLM file on Windows Outlook by connecting any IMAP-based email client like Gmail, which can be connected with both Outlook’s Mac and Windows.

Firstly, we will connect it to Mac Outlook and then we will move the emails into it. After that, we will configure the same Gmail account into Windows Outlook. All the steps are mentioned below to import OLM to Outlook Windows:

Step 1: Connect Gmail to Outlook Mac

  1. Open Mac Outlook.
  2. Choose “Tools” >> “Accounts”

    import OLM to Outlook Windows

  3. Click on the “+” option.
  4. Enter the login details of your Gmail account.

    login details of your Gmail

  5. Put the IMAP/POP details here.

    IMAP/POP details

  6. After all settings, hit the Finish

Step 2: Configure Same Account in Windows Outlook

  1. Open Windows Outlook.
  2. Head to the “File” tab section.

    file tab

  3. Choose the “+ Add Account” button.

    add account

  4. Select the “Manual Setup” and “Next” icons.

    manual setup

  5. After that, select the “POP or IMAP” option.

    POP or IMAP

  6. Next icon and provide all login details.

    provide all login details

  7. From “More Settings…”, go to the “Outgoing Server” tab and check the box of the “My Outgoing Server (SMTP) Requires Authentication” option.

    More Settings

  8. After that, head to the “Advanced” tab and provide server details of Incoming and outgoing and the “OK” button.

    Advanced tab

  9. Back to the main screen and click on the “Next” button.

    main screen

  10. Check whether all the task are completed or not from the “Tasks” tab.

    task are completed

  11. Lastly, click on the “Finish” button.

    finish icon

Now you can move the uploaded OLM emails by clicking on it and moving the icon to import OLM to Outlook Windows.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

  • Multiple steps make this process lengthy and time taking process.
  • High risk of data loss, while moving data.
  • Users will face multiple errors while connecting accounts.
  • Both Mac and Windows Outlook must be installed and connected to the same machine.

Alternate Solution to Import OLM to Outlook Windows

To easily export contacts, calendars, and emails from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook, an automated application is designed specifically which manage and control everything regarding OLM to Outlook file conversion.

The magical recommendation is RecoveryTools OLM Migrator. This application is capable of batch exporting OLM files to Outlook for PC. With this tool, you can also convert into other savings like converting OLM to EML, etc. This OLM to Outlook Windows migrator comes with advanced features and filters, which makes the software more powerful and easy to use.

Perform a safe & secure conversion, download the software:

Why Automated Solution Over Manual Methods?

  • Users can easily import OLM to Outlook Windows including emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, journals, etc.
  • This alternate solution supports all types of OLM files i.e., corrupted, damaged, and inaccessible, it can be repaired using the Use Extracted Mode for Corrupt OLM Files option.
  • This application is completely secured from all Virus and malware infections and is 100% safe to use.
  • The software is completely standalone to do its work and hence ensures no Outlook mail client installation necessary.
  • Also, it maintains the original folder hierarchy and email components including Bcc, Cc, To, From, Date, Time, Formatting, Images, Signature, etc.
  • Exported PST files will be acceptable in all Outlook versions including Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and all previous versions.

When Do We Need to Upload OLM Files into Outlook Windows?

  • Switching from Mac to Windows computer.
  • Merging all the email accounts into a simple platform.
  • Companies upgrading or changing their IT infrastructure.
  • Creating a backup of OLM data in a different format for security purposes.
  • Facing file damage to corruption issues and want to repair OLM files.

The Verge

A large number of users are requesting a way to import OLM to Outlook Windows. There are numerous ways available to accomplish the task. Free & manual methods are a great way to reduce the operational cost of the company but it requires patience and time. For instant and accurate results users can go with an automated solution to open OLM file on Windows Outlook all editions.

Questions Asked by Users:

  • Q 1: What is the OLM file format for Outlook?

    Ans: OLM file is a format, that is used to store emails, contacts, calendars, notes, and other data in Mac Outlook just like PST format in Windows Outlook.

  • Q 2: What app opens the OLM File?

    Ans: Only Outlook for Mac can open these files.

  • Q 3: How do I create an OLM File in Outlook?
    1. Open Mac Outlook.
    2. Head to the Tools >> Export option.
    3. Select the items to export into OLM.
    4. Continue icon and provide a name to the file.
    5. Browse the location and Save icon.
  • Q 4: How can I read OLM files without Outlook?

    Ans: You can open OLM files without Outlook using RecoveryTools Free OLM viewer, which can show you all data of OLM files.