How to Import OLM to Outlook for Windows? Complete Tutorial

This write-up defines a complete procedure for how to import OLM to Outlook for Windows. If you are a Mac Outlook user and have OLM files but do not know how you can access them on Windows Outlook then this article is for you. In this guide, we have explained the best methods and step-by-step processes to open OLM files on Windows Outlook.

Accessing Mac Outlook OLM file data in Windows Outlook has always been a tough task. There are many users out there who keep on looking for a solution to import OLM to Outlook. However, depending on the platform, Outlook changes the supported file format. In Mac OS, Microsoft Outlook supports OLM file format. On the other hand, Windows Outlook creates a PST file to store mailbox data.

Therefore, when a user wants to access an Outlook data file on another platform, there is a compatibility issue. This is the reason users start searching for how to import OLM to Windows Outlook. If you are also looking for the same, then you are at the right place.

Common Causes to Import OLM to Outlook for Windows

• Mac Outlook users switching to Windows Outlook with all data.
• Access old emails stored in OLM files on a Windows computer.
• Back up important OLM data and store them on a Windows computer.
• Sharing OLM files with a non-Mac Outlook user.

Best Ways to Import OLM Files on Windows Outlook

Here, we have two possible ways to import data into Outlook:

1. The Professional Method – A Smart Approach
2. The Manual Method – A Traditional Approach

Remember that the manual method is free and is a good way to go about migration if the OLM file is small. In comparison, the professional method is easier and safer to perform with no limitations on the size of the OLM files. So, choose the method at your convenience.

1. A Smart Way to Import OLM File to Outlook for Windows

As discussed above Mac & Windows Outlook supports different file formats to store mailbox data. Thus, to import OLM to Outlook for Windows, a user needs to convert OLM to PST format. Now, the question arising is, how can we perform this conversion?

There is n number of tools available online. But, choosing the best among all has always been a difficult task. To make this task somewhat easier for the users, we recommend SysTools Outlook Mac Exporter software. It is one of the most popular applications that render hassle-free conversion without any data loss.

It generates Unicode PST files compatible with all Outlook for Windows versions including Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 & 2003. Furthermore, this software can easily be installed on all the latest Windows OS like Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8 & 7 without any hassle. It exports all data items like emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, and journals, from OLM file to Outlook file format.

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The demo version of this software is available for free to download and use. Users can install and try the software to verify the results and ensure that they are getting the expected results.

Step 1 – Convert OLM File to Windows Outlook-Supported File Format

1. The first step is to move the OLM files to your Windows machine, if not done already.
2. Then, launch the tool on the same machine to import OLM to Outlook for Windows.
3. After that, click on the Add File button and browse the OLM file to import to Outlook.
4. Then, the software will scan the OLM file. Wait for it to import OLM to Outlook for Windows.
5. After scanning, users can view OLM file data in the software interface. Then, click on the Export button from the ribbon bar to continue.
6. Then, choose the PST format radio button and apply advanced settings.
7. After that, set the filters, categories, and other settings as per convenience.
8. At last, click on the Export button and begin the conversion process.

After the process completion, users will get a Unicode PST file containing all the required data items. Now, it is time to import this file into Windows Outlook.

Step 2 – Import PST to Outlook for Windows

The second step when importing OLM to Outlook for Windows involves importing the converted file. The steps are given below:

1. Open Microsoft Outlook on your Windows machine.
2. Click on File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export.
   
3. Choose Import file from another program or file option to import OLM to Outlook for Windows.
4.  Click on Outlook data file (.pst) >> Next option.
   
5. Finally, Browse the PST file and click on OK >> Finish button.
   

2. Traditional Method to Import OLM to Outlook for Windows Manually

If the user wants a free manual solution to move OLM files to Windows Outlook, then IMAP Server is used as an intermediate between Mac & Windows Outlook. It works like a storage device between two systems to copy the data.

Note: IMAP Server is used as it is capable of receiving remote files.

The manual method to import OLM files to Windows Outlook involves 5 steps:

Step-1: Create any IMAP server email account (like Gmail)

1. Users can also choose an old account for this task.
2. Just ensure that the IMAP settings are enabled for this account.

Step-2: Configure this Email Account in Mac Outlook

1. Firstly, open Outlook for Mac >> Tools >> Accounts
2. Click on the + button from the left side to add a new account from the Accounts window
3. Then, click on the email address pane and enter the following details to import OLM to Outlook for Windows:
   • Email Address
   • Password
   • Gmail Account Username
4. Now, you need to enter “imap.gmail.com” as an Incoming Server
5. Choose the “Use SSL connect” option and enter “smtp.gmail.com” as an Outgoing Server
6. After that, check both options under the Outgoing Server
7. In the Outgoing port, enter 465 and click on the Add account button
8. Now, a yellow button is seen on the left side of the screen to display if the connection has been made. It turns to green if the provided password keyed in is correct, which means a connection has been made.

Step-3: Transfer data from Mac Outlook OLM to Email Account

1. First of all, right-click on the mailbox folder that you want to import from OLM to Windows Outlook and click on the Copy button
2. After that, choose the folder in Gmail where you want to move the data
3. Now, from the navigation bar at the bottom, you can see the message uploading
4. Once uploaded desired data is uploaded successfully, you can Refresh the Gmail account

Step-4: Configure the Same Email Account in Windows Outlook

1. First of all, open Outlook and navigate to File >> Info >> Account Settings
2. Then, click on the New icon from the currently opened window
3. Now, you need to check the Additional server-type option
4. Check the Internet E-mail option and provide the following details:
   • Email address
   • Password
   • Username
5. Here, you can choose IMAP as an account type
6. After that, enter imap.gmail.com as an Incoming server
7. Then, enter smtp.gmail.com as an Outgoing server
8. Click on the More Settings option
9. Now, select my Outgoing server requires authentication option in the Outgoing Server tab
10. After that, enter the Incoming Server Port as 993 in the Advanced tab
11. Now, choose SSL as an encryption type
12. In the Outgoing Server Port, enter 465 as a port number
13. At last, click on the OK button
14. Then, choose the Test Account Settings >> Finish button

Step-5: Transfer OLM data from Email Account into Windows Outlook mailbox

Since the email account is now configured with Windows Outlook, users can easily transfer the OLM data to Outlook for Windows applications.

Where Does This Manual Method Fail?

No doubt it is the only manual way to import OLM to Outlook for Windows but it is not suitable in every possible scenario. A user needs to have Mac Outlook to perform this conversion. Moreover, the process requires a lot of configuration, which is quite a time-consuming process and is not guaranteed to succeed. If a user only has an OLM file on the Windows machine, then using this manual method is impossible.

Time to Sum Up

Whenever it comes to cross-platform conversion, users require a perfect and reliable application. Thus, to import OLM to Outlook for Windows, users can take the help of the professional solution suggested in the post. There is also a manual method that makes use of IMAP functionality to get the job done. It depends on the need of the user to determine which method is better for importing OLM files to Windows Outlook.