PST to IMAP Migration

If your emails are scattered across multiple PST files and you want to access them from any device, importing them to an IMAP-enabled server is a practical solution. IMAP stores your emails on the server, ensuring real-time synchronization across platforms like Gmail, Outlook.com, Zoho Mail, Yahoo Mail, and Zimbra. Whether you are switching to a new email service, organizing old archives, or freeing up local storage, migrating PST files to an IMAP server enhances accessibility and streamlines email management.

Over time, PST files accumulate from previous Outlook profiles, backup exports, or older systems. Managing them manually, particularly in large quantities, can be time-consuming and prone to errors. The EdbMails IMAP Migration Tool streamlines this process by allowing direct import of PST files to IMAP servers. It enables bulk imports, preserves folder structures, automatically maps mailboxes, and ensures duplicates are avoided through delta migration.

This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step process to migrate PST files to your IMAP account using EdbMails. It covers everything from preparing your PST files to connecting with your IMAP server and setting up the migration, ensuring a seamless and dependable transfer. Whether you are an individual user or handling multiple mailboxes for an organization, this guide will help you complete your PST to IMAP migration efficiently and confidently.

1. Prerequisites to Import PST to IMAP

   • Install Microsoft Outlook: To import PST to IMAP, install Microsoft Outlook with a profile on the computer where you want to perform the migration operation.
   • Collect IMAP Account Details: Have your IMAP server details ready, including the hostname, port number, email address, and password.
   • Prepare CSV file for Multiple Users Migration: If you need to migrate multiple mailboxes, download the sample CSV file from the EdbMails application. Update it with the IMAP server hostname, port number, email addresses, and passwords for each mailbox you want to migrate.
   • Gmail account configuration: For Gmail accounts, generate an app password and use it instead of your regular account password when connecting through the EdbMails application.

      Learn how to find an IMAP server hostname.

2. Steps to Import Bulk PST Files to IMAP Account

   • Step 1: Download and install EdbMails IMAP migration Software

     • Download EdbMails and install the application on any Windows computer.

       

         See EdbMails system requirements for PST to IMAP import

     • Open the EdbMails application on your computer.
     • Enter your registered email and password, then click ‘Login’. If you don’t have an account, select ‘Start Your Free Trial’ to try the application.
         Note: The Free Trial gives access to all main features and allows exporting up to 30 items per folder. To export without limits, purchase a valid license from the EdbMails website.

        Click here to purchase the license from the EdbMails website.

       After purchase, restart the application and log in with the same email and password to activate your license.

       

     • Choose the option ‘IMAP (Gmail, Outlook and more) Migration’

       

     • Select ‘Restore PST to IMAP’.

       

     • You can continue using the default job name that has already been assigned, or select ‘New Job’ to rename it according to your preference before proceeding.

       

   • Step 2: Add PST files

     • Click the ‘Add file(s)’ button.

       

     • Browse the PST file(s) from your computer that you want to import.

       

   • Step 3: Connect to Target IMAP server

     • To migrate a single user account, select ‘Single User / Account Migration’. Then pick the relevant protocol, either ‘Connect to IMAP Server’ or ‘Connect to POP3 Server’, and click ‘Next’ to proceed.

       

     • For a single-user login, select the appropriate IMAP hostname from the list or type it in manually, then enter your email address and password.

        Note: If you're connecting to a Gmail account, make sure to create an app password and use it instead of your regular password.

     • Click the ‘Login’ button.

       

     • To migrate several IMAP accounts at once, choose ‘Multiple (bulk) Users/Accounts Migration’ and then click ‘Next’.

       

     • Click ‘IMAP Migration CSV File’ and choose the destination folder on your local drive to download the ‘Sample.CSV’ file.

       

     • Open the CSV file and enter the required information for each mailbox, such as the email address, password, IMAP server hostname, and port number. Once all details are added, save the CSV file and close it.

       

     • Now, click the 'Load Modified CSV File' button to load, and select the modified CSV file.
     • Click ‘Next’ to proceed after verifying the mailboxes.

       

   • Step 4: PST to IMAP mailboxes mapping

     • Select the appropriate option to map the source mailboxes to the corresponding target mailboxes.

       

     • EdbMails automatically maps mailboxes from your source PST files with the target IMAP mailboxes, making it easy to manage large-scale migrations.

       

   • Step 5: Start PST to IMAP Restore operation

     • Click the ‘Settings’ button to apply filters as needed. For instance, you can use the date filter to migrate data only within a specific time range.
     • Click the ‘Start Restore’ button to initiate the migration process.

       

     • Select the ‘View Log’ option to open the migration report, where you can review the mailbox migration status, check for any errors, and view a detailed summary of migrated data including the total number of items exported for clear monitoring and assessment of the entire process.

       

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Additional resources:

• EdbMails IMAP migration software
• Export IMAP to PST
• GoDaddy to Microsoft 365 migration
• ProtonMail to Office 365 migration
• cPanel to Office 365 migration
• Rackspace to Office 365 migration
• Plesk to Office 365 migration
• Barracuda to Office 365 migration
• AWS Workmail to Office 365 migration