Combining Microsoft Outlook PST Files: A Step-by-Step Guide

A PST file is generated when you establish an Outlook account (using POP3) to save the mailbox contents. You have many PST files if you have multiple email accounts. Separate PST file management might seem challenging at times. Merge your PST files into one consolidated file is the best course of action in this case. Emails and other data are managed more easily as a result, and searching for certain things in the combined file is also made simpler. Continue reading to learn how to merge multiple PST files without creating duplicate items if you wish to integrate the data in your PST files.

How to Combine PST Files Without Adding Duplicate Objects

Outlook's Import and Export wizard or a dedicated Outlook PST merge tool can be used to combine PST files. Let's review each approach in greater detail.

1. Use the Outlook Import/Export Wizard to merge the PST file.

Multiple PST files can be merged into a single file using Outlook's built-in Import and Export wizard. To do this, create a new PST file first, and then import the contents of previous PST files into it.

This is the methodical procedure:

• First, make a new PST file.
• Launch Outlook, then choose File > Info.
• Select Outlook Data File under New Items > More Items.
• After giving the new PST file a name and choosing a place for it to be saved, click OK.
• To generate a new PST file, proceed as follows.

Step 2: Combine PST Files

• Navigate to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File in Outlook.
• Click Open after selecting the PST file you want to merge. This will cause the chosen PST file to open and display every mailbox folder.
• Select File > Info > Open & Export > Import/Export at this point.
• Select Export to a file, then press the Next button.
• Click Next after selecting Outlook Data File (.pst). Verify that the option to include subfolders is chosen.
• To prevent importing duplicate items, click the Browse option, choose the newly produced PST file, and then click Replace duplicates with items exported. Next, choose "Finish."

By doing this, duplicate items from the chosen PST file will be merged into the new PST file. You can now pick Close Outlook Data File by doing a right-click on the Outlook data file.

Repeat the previous procedures to merge additional PST files. To prevent merging duplicate items, choose Replace duplicates with items exported and pick the newly created PST file as the destination.

Note: Although you can merge PST files using Outlook's Import/Export wizard, doing so takes a long time and is laborious when you need to combine several files since the tool "Only one PST file can be merged at a time."

2. Use a Specialized PST Merge Tool to Combine Multiple PST Files

You can utilize a third-party, specialized PST merge application, such as Softaken Merge Outlook PST application, for hassle-free PST file combining. One PST file may be merged into another quicker and more easily with the help of this program. PST files are merged while the contents of your mailbox remain unaltered. During the merging process, it actively locates and eliminates the duplicate items. Users with different degrees of technical proficiency may easily merge data because to its straightforward, user-friendly interface. The utility is available for free download from its official website. After installation, you can activate it. Then, to merge your several PST files into a single file without duplicate items, adhere to the instructions below.

• On your PC, use the Softaken Merge Outlook PST Tool.
• To merge PST files, drag and drop them into the program interface or choose "Add PST." Click Next after that.
• The program will provide two options: "Merge PST" and "Join PST" when the PST files have been added.
• Choose the 'Merge PST' menu item.
• The contents of the PST file you uploaded will be seen by the program. Select certain mail items or folders to combine.
• Select the 'Remove Duplicate' option to prevent duplicates from appearing in the merged PST file. Any duplicate items will be automatically filtered out as a result.
• Click the "Merge" button to start the merging process after making your choices and adjusting the criteria.
• Upon completion, a message announcing the completion of the merging operation will be displayed. To access the folder containing the merged PST file, click the Open Folder option.
• The merged PST may be used for archiving or imported into Microsoft Outlook.

Conclusion

You can merge several PST files into a single file for easier management if you have many files. Several methods to merge PST files without duplicating things have been discussed above. As you can only merge one PST file at a time, merging PST files using Outlook settings is a time-consuming operation. You can use Softaken Merge Outlook PST Tool to quickly and simply merge several PST files, ensuring that no duplicate items are merged. Because it can merge numerous PST files in one operation, the program saves you a great deal of time and streamlines the whole merging procedure. Additionally, while combining the PST files, all of the data is preserved. All Outlook versions' PST files are supported by the tool.