How to Manually Move PST Files to Microsoft 365?

Office 365 (Microsoft 365) offers users with better security, accessibility, and collaborative tools. As it is a cloud-based platform, it allows users to have access to their emails and other data from anywhere and at any time. Due to these and various other factors, users tend to migrate from their on-premises or desktop-based platforms to cloud-based Office 365. If you’re planning to switch to Office 365, then you will also want to move your mailbox data (PST files) from your current environment to Office 365. In this article, we will mention some simple and standard methods to move PST files to Office 365 manually.

Methods to Move PST Files to Office 365

Here, we will discuss some manual ways to move PST files to Office 365 account.

Method 1: Import PST File into Office 365 using Outlook Import/Export Wizard

You can use the Import and Export wizard - an in-built Outlook feature to import PST files into Office 365 account. However, for this, you need to configure your MS Outlook profile in Office 365 account. Here’s how to do so:

• Open your Outlook profile and navigate to the File option in the ribbon.

• Select Add Account option to configure Office 365 account.

• Enter the email address and hit the Connect tab.

• Then, enter the password and click on Connect.

•  Now, again go to the File option in the ribbon.
• Click Account Settings and select the Account Name and Sync Settings option.

• The IMAP Account Settings window appears. Fill in the required fields.
• Select INBOX as the Root Folder path, under the Inbox settings and check the Purge items when switching folders while online option. After that, click on the Next button.

• Hit the Done button and your Outlook profile is successfully configured with Office 365 account.

Now, import the PST file into Office 365 account by following these steps:

• Go to the File tab in your Outlook profile.
• Select the Open/Export option and click on the Import/Export option.

• The Import and Export Wizard opens up on your screen. Select the Import from another program or file option and hit Next.

• Now, select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.

• Next, select the PST file (you need to import) by using the Browse option. Then, choose the Replace duplicates with items imported option and click Next.

• Next, choose the folder to import from.
• Then, select "Import items into the same folder in:" to confirm that you want to put the items straight into the user's primary mailbox.
• Click Finish.

Method 2: Import PST Files into Office 365 using Network Upload Method

This is a reliable and often recommended way to import PST files into Office 365. Follow the given steps to use this method:

• Go to Microsoft 365 > Data Lifecycle Management.
• Choose "New Import Job" from the "Import" menu. It will open the Import Job wizard.

• Enter the import task name, choose "Upload your data" as the import type, and then click "Show network upload SAS URL." Copy the SAS URL and paste it into Notepad.

• Download Microsoft Azure AzCopy tool and extract it on Desktop.
• On your computer, launch Command Prompt and type the following command: azcopy.exe "sas url="">" /sas "source location="" of="" pst="" files=""    
• Come back to the Microsoft Office 365 import process after the upload process is finished. Choose "I'm done uploading my files" and "I have access to the mapping CSV file.

• Click on the Select Mapping File tab to upload the file for the validation process. Once validation is done, your PST files are imported into Office 365 account.

Method 3: Import PST Files into Office 365 using Specialized PST Migration Tool

For easy and quick PST to Office 365 migration, you can a use reliable and professional software, such as Stellar Migrator for Outlook. It is a top-rated software to import multiple PST files from different systems into Office 365. The software uses Microsoft Modern Authentication to import PST to Office 365. Let’s take a look at the process to import the PST into Office 365 using the software.

• Download and install Stellar Migrator for Outlook on your computer.
• Launch the software and select the Choose Mailbox Manually option.
• Select the PST file you want to import into Office 365.
• Click the 'Scan' option after selecting the file. The selected PST file will be scanned by the software.

• On the left-side window panel, the software shows a preview of every mail item.
• From the preview window, select the items you wish to import into Office 365 and click Migrate Mailbox. 
• Now, enter the username and password of Stellar Licensing account. After entering the details, press the Log In button.      

•       It will show the licensing details. Click OK to proceed.

• The Migrate Mailbox screen will appear. Click on “Microsoft 365” and click Next.

• Choose Microsoft 365 profile name which you already configured on your system and then click on “Migrate”.

• The software begins importing PST into Office 365 after establishing a secure connection.
• A notification stating "Mailbox successfully moved to Office 365" will show up on your window after the import procedure is finished. Then, click on the OK button.

Conclusion

Above, we have mentioned different methods to move PST files to Office 365. However, manual methods for moving PST files to Office 365 account appear to be complex and time-consuming. For simple PST to Office 365 migration, you can use a sophisticated software, such as Stellar Migrator for Outlook. It can help you to import multiple PST files into Office 365 in a few simple steps, with 100% data security.