University of
ConnecticutConverting Windows Outlook Archive .pst files to Macintosh format
In order to convert a Windows archive file (.pst) to a format where Macintosh e-mail client (Entourage/Apple Mail) can read it, you must install a third party software product. The product that we recommend is O2M by Little Machines. The cost is $10 per client and the instructions are below.
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Convert your Outlook Personal/Archive Folder
Import to Microsoft Entourage for OSX (All Versions, including 2008)
Import to Apple Mail 10.5 (Leopard)
Order the O2M Product
1. Go to http://www.littlemachines.com/download.php to purchase a license for the product.
Download O2M Product
1. Once you have the license number click on site 1 or site 2 under the Outlook 2002/2003/XP/2007 Version. When prompted choose Save and save to your desktop.
2. Double click on the new file you just downloaded (O2m_setup_2002_2003_xp.exe) and run it.
3. Accept all the defaults and click Next, I accept the agreement, Next, Next, Next, Install, then Finish.
4. You will see the following screen. Choose Unlock, and it will prompt you to enter in your license key and the zip code that you registered with.
5. Once unlocked the process of converting your Outlook .pst file can begin. Click Next
Convert your Outlook Personal/Archive Folder
1. On the following screen you will be asked to select the folder where you want the converted file to be stored. Choose a location. Click Next
2. Your entire Exchange Mailbox will appear with all your archive folders. Check the folders you want to convert. I would recommend converting each personal folder separately if you have more than one. Click Next.
3. Choose Convert all my email, regardless of date and click Next.
4. At the next screen, take the default and choose next. This will save room on your hard disk.
5. The next screen gives you an option of what types of attachments to convert. Since there are alot of Windows extensions that don't convert to Mac (like .exe or .bat) you can choose the ones you do not want to convert and click Next.
6. The next screen allows you to pick the Contact list you want to convert. Note: this only applies to contacts in your personal folder. The contacts in your Exchange folder does not need to be converted.
7. At the next screen choose Apple Address Book and then Next.
8. At the next screen choose "Work" at the default and then Next
9. At the next screen you can convert a personal folder Calendar. Note: this only applies to calendar entries in your personal folder. Choose No if you do not have a separate calendar in your personal folders, Yes if you do, then click Next.
10. You are now ready to convert, click Start. This creates a .mbox file that you need to save and then move to your Macintosh (use a usb drive, server, CD, etc.)
Importing Outlook Files into Your Macintosh Programs
After moving your exported mbox, to your Macintosh computer, you should be able to import them into Entourage and Apple Mail. Follow the instructions below:
Microsoft Entourage for OSX (All Versions, including 2008)
Here's how to import mbox mail files into Microsoft's Entourage program:
1. Start up Entourage and click on On My Computer Inbox.Note: Make sure you import this file into your LOCAL mailbox. You do not want to import it into your Exchange mailbox as it will most likely fill it up.
2. Drag the mbox file you want to import into Entourage's folder list and drop it. Entourage will turn the mbox file into a new mail folder.
3. Open the new folder, and you'll find all of your imported emails inside it. If you like, you can move one or more emails from the new folder to other folders to organize them.
Apple Mail 3.x for Leopard (OS 10.5.x)
You can import mbox mail files directly into it.
1. Start up Apple's Mail program. Once it starts, you should be able to see all of your mailboxes, which look like folders, on the left side of the application, in a blue box. If you can't see the mailboxes, click on View, then Show Mailboxes to display your mailboxes. Note: Make sure you import this file into your LOCAL mailbox. You do not want to import it into your Exchange mailbox as it will most likely fill it up.
2. Next, click on File, then Import Mailboxes.... The Import window opens. Choose mbox files, and then click the Continue button.
3. Navigate to the folder on your Macintosh where the mbox file(s) you want to import are located. Now select the folder containing the MBOX file (not the MBOX file itself — the MBOX file will not be selectable), then select the Choose button.
4. Mail will scan the folder you chose and show you a list of importable mbox files. Choose the files you want to import and click the >> button to start the import. When you're done, click >> to exit.
5. Find the folder in Mail called Import and open it. You'll find your imported mbox folders inside. You can rename the folders, or move the mail from them to other folders just by dragging.
Apple Mail for Tiger (OS 10.4.x)
You can import mbox mail files directly into it.
1. Start up Apple's Mail program. Once it starts, you should be able to see all of your mailboxes, which look like folders, on the left side of the application, in a blue box. If you can't see the mailboxes, click on View, then Show Mailboxes to display your mailboxes. Note: Make sure you import this file into your LOCAL mailbox. You do not want to import it into your Exchange mailbox as it will most likely fill it up.
2. Next, click on File, then Import Mailboxes.... The Import window opens. Choose Other, and then click the Continue button.
3. Navigate to the folder on your Macintosh where the mbox file(s) you want to import are located. Now select the folder containing the MBOX file (not the MBOX file itself — the MBOX file will not be selectable), then select the Choose button.
4. Mail will scan the folder you chose and show you a list of importable mbox files. Choose the files you want to import and click the >> button to start the import. When you're done, click >> to exit.
5. Find the folder in Mail called Import and open it. You'll find your imported mbox folders inside. You can rename the folders, or move the mail from them to other folders just by dragging.
Other Options
There are other options for converting Outlook .pst files to Macintosh formatted files. Note: UITS recommends O2M because of cost and ease of use.
1. Emailchemy - http://www.weirdkid.com/products/emailchemy/ - Cost $29.50 per user
2. MessageSave - http://www.techhit.com/messagesave/ - Cost $49.95 per user
Updated 8/6/08