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How to Export Outlook Mail from Mac to Windows?

Ritu Roy | how to mac os olm outlook for mac software technology Windows Outlook | 5 minutes read | Modified on: 02-09-2025
transfer outlook emails from mac to windows

Are you currently using Microsoft Outlook on Mac to manage your emails but finding it limiting or no longer suitable for your workflow? Thinking about switching to Outlook for Windows, but unsure how to export Outlook mail from Mac to Windows-compatible format, without risking data loss?

Don’t worry! In this guide, you’ll discover a reliable and quick method to transfer Outlook emails from Mac to Windows smoothly, ensuring no loss of emails, attachments, or formatting. But before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s briefly explore some of the key reasons why users choose to transfer Outlook data from Mac to Windows.

Why Import Outlook Emails from Mac to Windows?

Outlook for Windows uses the PST (Personal Storage Table) file format, which is widely recognized for storing various Outlook data items such as emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, and more. PST files are created by default when using Outlook on Windows.

On the other hand, Outlook for Mac generates OLM files, which serve the same purpose as PST files but are not compatible with Windows Outlook. Because of this incompatibility, Mac users who switch to Outlook on Windows for professional or personal reasons must convert their OLM files into the PST format.

This conversion is essential to access all your Outlook for Mac emails and other data seamlessly within the Windows environment without any data loss.

How to Transfer Outlook Emails from Mac to Windows?

There are two primary methods to transfer your Outlook emails from Mac to Windows:

  1. Recommended Expert Tool
  2. Manual Approach

Both methods are explained in detail below. Let’s explore each one step-by-step.

Method 1: Expert Recommended Tool to Transfer Outlook Email from Mac to Windows

The process involves three main steps:

  1. Archive Outlook for Mac data into an OLM file
  2. Convert OLM to PST format
  3. Import PST into Outlook for Windows

Step 1: Archive Outlook for Mac Data into OLM File

  1. Open Outlook on your Mac.
  2. Click the File menu and select Export.
  3. In the Export window, choose the data items you want to export.
    • Select Outlook for Mac Data File (.olm) to generate an OLM file.
    • Choose whether to export all categories or only selected items.
  4. Click the right arrow at the bottom-right corner to continue.
  5. You’ll be prompted to decide if you want to delete the exported items from Outlook after export. Choose Yes or No according to your preference, then click the right arrow again.
  6. Wait for the export process to complete. When finished, a message will appear: “Outlook has finished exporting your data.”
  7. Click Done to close the window.

Step 2: Convert Resultant OLM Files to Windows Outlook Format

Once you have your Outlook for Mac data archived in an OLM file, the next step is to convert it into a Windows Outlook-compatible format, namely PST.

To do this, download and use the MacArmy Mac OLM Converter Tool. This powerful application allows you to batch convert OLM files to PST efficiently. Besides PST, it supports over 15 additional output formats, including EML, TXT, MBOX, MSG, PDF, CSV, Yahoo Mail, IMAP, Gmail, and more. The software features an easy-to-use and intuitive interface, making it accessible for both technical professionals and beginners.

Steps to Convert OLM Files to Windows Outlook (PST) on Mac

#1: Download, install, and launch the MacArmy OLM to PST Converter Tool on your Mac system.

#2: Use the available options on the software interface to add your OLM files:

  • Click Add File(s) to select specific OLM files for conversion.
  • Or use Add Folder to load an entire folder containing multiple OLM files. Once added, click Next to proceed.

#3: The software will display the loaded OLM files with checkboxes. Select the checkboxes next to the files you want to convert (or select all to convert everything). Click Next to continue.

#4: Click on Select Saving Options and choose PST (or another desired format) from the list.

#5: The Live Conversion Report window will appear, showing real-time details such as:

  • Total files converted
  • Files remaining
  • Current conversion status

#6: Within seconds, the conversion process will complete, and a “Conversion Completed” notification will pop up. Click OK to finish.

#7: Transfer the converted PST files to your Windows system using an external drive, cloud storage, or any other preferred method.

Step 3: Move Converted Files into Windows Outlook

Once you’ve successfully converted your Outlook for Mac (OLM) files into PST format, the final step is to import them into Outlook for Windows. Follow the steps below:

Steps to Import PST Files into Outlook on Windows:

  1. Launch Outlook on your Windows system.
  2. Go to the File tab in the top menu.
  3. Click on Open & Export, then select Import/Export.
  4. In the Import and Export Wizard window, choose: Import from another program or file
    Click Next to proceed.
  5. On the next screen, select: Outlook Data File (.pst). Click Next.
  6. Use the Browse button to locate and load the converted PST file from your external drive or storage.
  7. Choose how you want duplicates to be handled (replace, allow, or do not import).
  8. Select the destination Outlook folder where you want to import the data.
  9. Click Finish to start the import.

After the import completes, you will be able to view all your Outlook for Mac data in Windows Outlook, including emails, contacts, calendars, and other items, preserved with original formatting and folder structure.

Method 2: Manual Approach to Export Emails from Outlook Mac to Windows

If you prefer not to use third-party tools, you can manually transfer your Outlook emails from Mac to Windows using an IMAP-enabled email account (like Gmail, Outlook.com, or Yahoo). Here’s how:

Steps to Manually Export Emails from Outlook Mac to Windows

  1. Configure an IMAP Email Account in Outlook for Mac
    • Open Outlook on Mac.
    • Add your IMAP-enabled email account (e.g., Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo).
    • Let it sync completely.
  2. Copy Outlook Mac Data to the IMAP Account
    • Select the emails or folders you want to move.
    • Drag and drop them into the newly configured IMAP account’s folders.
    • Allow time for all the data to sync/upload to the server.
  3. Configure the Same Email Account in Outlook on Windows
    • Open Outlook on Windows.
    • Add the same IMAP account you used on Mac.
    • Once the account syncs, all the previously uploaded emails from Outlook Mac will be visible in Windows Outlook.

Final Thoughts!

In this write-up, we discussed two effective methods to transfer Outlook emails from Mac to Windows. The first is an expert-recommended solution that ensures a smooth transfer without altering the original data. It includes powerful features designed to deliver accurate results quickly. A free trial version is available, allowing users to transfer up to 25 OLM files at no cost. The second method is a manual, no-cost approach, suitable for users with technical expertise. It involves multiple steps and requires a good understanding of both Mac and Windows versions of Outlook.

Users are advised to choose the method that best suits their technical comfort and migration needs. For assistance, feel free to reach out to MacArmy Support.