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How to Transfer Emails from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook? In Stages

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Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On October 5th, 2023
Reading Time 6 Min Read

Moving emails from one email client to another can be a daunting task, but with the right steps, it can be a seamless process. If you are switching from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook, it is important to transfer your emails to ensure that you have access to all your important communications. In this article, we will guide you through the process of transferring emails from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook, so you can have your emails ready to go on your new computer.

But first, let us understand the reasoning behind such a task.

Reasons to Export Mail from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows

There can be several reasons to transfer emails from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook, including:

  • Switching to a Windows computer: If you are switching to a Windows computer, you may want to transfer your emails to your new computer.
  • Workplace requirement: If your workplace uses Windows Outlook, you may need to transfer your emails to access them at work.
  • Collaboration: If you are collaborating with people who use Windows Outlook, transferring your emails can help ensure compatibility and ease of communication.
  • Consolidating email accounts: If you have multiple email accounts on different platforms, you may want to transfer your emails to a single email client for ease of management.
  • Backup: Exporting your emails can serve as a backup in case you lose access to your email account or computer.

How to Transfer Emails from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook?

There are two ways to do this:

  1. Professional Way – The Trusted Approach
  2. Manual Way – The Traditional Approach

#I Professional Way – Mac Outlook to Windows

To transfer emails from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook, you can use the following steps:

  1. Archive Mac Outlook emails to OLM file
  2. Convert the Archive file to PST format
  3. Import the PST file into Windows Outlook

Note: The actual steps may vary slightly based on the version of Outlook you are using.

Stage 1: Archive Mac Outlook Emails to OLM file

First, we will export Mac Outlook emails to OLM format:

  1. Open Outlook on your Mac machine.
  2. Go to the Tools menu and click on the Export
  3. Select the items that you want to export. Do make sure to choose the Mail
  4. Continue to the next window and choose the location to save the archive file.
  5. Finally, click on Finish to complete the process.

Note that Outlook for Mac creates an archive in OLM format. You cannot directly import OLM file to Windows Outlook. So, go through the subsequent stages to get the file format compatible with Windows Outlook.

Stage 2: Convert the Archive file to PST format

In this stage, we will convert OLM to PST file that works with all the versions of Windows Outlook (2021 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010). This way, you can view and process the data in your application regardless of its version. You can achieve this via RecoveryTools OLM File Converter. This helps you to export Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows easily.

Download the free trial version here:

Download for Windows Download for Mac

Since the professional tool is available for both Windows & Mac, you can choose to either move your archive file to Windows (to use the Windows-oriented tool) or directly convert the data on Mac (with a Mac-oriented tool). What will remain constant is the 3rd stage which requires you to have the converted file on the Windows system.

Steps to transfer Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook file:

  • Move the OLM file to your Windows machine.
  • Open the licensed software on the same machine.

start the application on mac machine

  • In the next window, click the Select Files button and choose the OLM file that you moved from Mac to Windows.

select outlook for mac file

  • Afterward, select the data items that you want to migrate from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook.

check mark data items

  • Then choose the PST format as the saving option.

choose pst format

  • After that, change the destination location where the file after conversion will be kept.

change destination location

  • Finally, start the conversion process.

start converting mac outlook to windows outlook file

Now, you have the PST file.

Stage 3: Import the PST file into Windows Outlook

Here, we will import the file in Windows Outlook:

  • Open Windows Outlook and hit the “Alt+F” key to open the File
  • Then, hit the “O” key followed by the “I” key to open the Import/Export window.

select import/export

  • Choose the Import from another program or file

import from another program or file

  • Select the Outlook data file (.pst) option in the next window.

choose outlook data file

  • After that, browse and select the PST file you got in Stage 2.

browse windows outlook file

  • Finally, choose the Outlook folder to place this file and click the Finish

import outlook data file

The Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook migration process is now completed successfully. You can also take a look at the manual method and then choose the preferred solution.

#II Manual Way to Get the Job Done

By configuring an email account in both Outlook for Mac and Outlook for Windows, you can take advantage of the IMAP protocol to transfer emails between them. The exact outline of the method is given below:

How do I transfer Outlook emails from Mac to Windows?

  1. Go online and create a new account on Gmail, Yahoo, or other webmail services.
  2. Enable the IMAP option in the created email account.
  3. Now, configure the email account in Mac Outlook with IMAP protocol.
  4. Then, copy all the emails that you want to move to Windows into the configured account.
  5. Once the emails are sent over, configure the same email account in Windows Outlook.
  6. Now you can access the Mac Outlook emails in Windows Outlook.

Note: A corrupt data file hinder both methods as either Outlook won’t work normally or the data items will be lost at the end. Fortunately, the Professional way comes with an “Extracted mode” that helps in repairing Mac Outlook OLM file before conversion. So, you do not need extra applications to transfer emails from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook even in the case of corruption.

Conclusion

In conclusion, transferring emails from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook is a straightforward process with the right tools and techniques. By using professional software or an email account, you can successfully transfer all of your email data to your new Windows Outlook account. Regardless of which method you choose, it’s important to have a backup of your emails before beginning the transfer process. This will ensure that you don’t lose any important information during the transition.