Microsoft Outlook users always try to keep their data items on separate PST files based upon various criteria like sender, year, type, etc. But over the long-time period, such type Outlook PST files increase in numbers and it makes confusion for users to look several PST files multiple times to search for some specific mails. So, to avoid this situation one can perform the operation Join PST files into one single folder.
Join PST Files v/s Merge PST Files
Most of the peoples are searching for the correct difference between Join & Merge operations. The following simple image will help you to understand the basic difference between these two:
Why Join Two PST Files?
Most of the Outlook users have multiple PST files. This may cause severe problems related to PST file handling and management. If you have so many files, then it might be a challenging task to handle them. Some of the reasons to integrate PST files are listed below:
- Chances for accidental deletion.
- Opening of each file separately takes large time.
- Sharing of multiple PST files is difficult and time-consuming.
Manual Techniques to Join PST files Together
MS Outlook has no built-in feature to join or combine multiple PST files into one, but you can try an easy manual method to complete this task. The steps are given below:
Step 1: Open Microsoft Outlook in your machine.
Step 2: Create one new Outlook data file by clicking “New Items-> More items-> Outlook Data File”
Step 3: Provide name to the new file from the create or open Outlook data file windows. Then click “OK”
Step 4: Then click on “File-> Open & Export-> Import/Export”
Step 5: From the Import and Export Wizard choose “Import from another program or file” and then click “Next”.
Step 6: Select “Outlook Data File (.pst) from the Import a File window then click “Next”.
Step 7: Click “Browse” to locate the file from the Import Outlook Data File window.
Then check the “Do not import duplicates” box and click on “Next”.
Step 8: Choose the folder to import from and check “Include subfolders” and “Import items into the same folder in” boxes and then click “Finish”.
Step 9: After performing the above steps, the Outlook starts importing selected mailbox folder to a new file.
Professional Approach to Join PST Files Into A Single One
By using the above manual trick, you can join two PST files. But it may take large time because you need to perform each and every step manually. Other than this there is one more option for joining Outlook data files. It provides an easy and convenient way to manage PST files, unlike the above manual method. SysTools PST file Merge software will help you to perform merging process within a few minutes.
Steps to join PST files together are as follows;
Step 1. Install PST Merge tool and Add PST files or folder.
Step 2. Choose Join option and click Next.
Step 3. Select join in existing PST / New PST or Outlook Profile.
Step 4. Select mailbox items and click Next to start process.
Some of the highlighted features of this tool are mentioned below:
- Join all the PST data items including emails, contacts, calendars, etc.
- Provide 2 options Merge PST and Join PST.
- Join two PST files by creating a single folder for joined files.
- There is no file size limitation imposed.
- Supports Microsoft Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, & 2003 versions.
Conclusion
The blog provides different techniques to perform Join PST files including manual as well as automatic. You can opt for anyone of this to complete the combining process. Due to some above-mentioned manual method drawbacks, most of the peoples are trying to choose automated solutions like SysTools PST Merge. It can join multiple PST files into a single folder without making much effort.
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