Are you facing numerous broken PST files and not able to handle your Outlook data? These scattered PSTs can make your data unorganized and high risk of data loss or misplacement. In this blog, we will explain how to merge broken PST files into a single improved file through easy steps and a useful PST merge tool.
How to Merge Multiple PST Files Into One?
Basically, there are 2 ways to combine PST files: the manual method via Microsoft Outlook and the automated method. By using Outlook, you can merge the PST files one by one manually. This method is risky as there are high chances that your files can get corrupted due to the large size of data files. This method is also not suitable for multiple PST files as it is prone to human errors; each and every step has to be done manually, which can create a lot of hassle and can take hours to merge the data files.
But on the other hand, using an expert PST merge software is the best solution as it is safe for the crucial data, data is processed offline and combined in bulk without any size limitations. It offers users advanced features like removing duplicates and recovery mode to merge corrupted files automatically.
Let’s explore the methods and it’s working thoroughly below.
Why a User Needs to Merge Scattered PST Files? Major Reasons:
- Easy Management- It is easier to manage combined PST files than fragmented multiple PST files.
- Better Performance- Fewer PST files make Outlook performance better and faster.
- Less Risk- There are fewer chances of corrupted files.
- Simplified Backup- It is easier to backup and store a few PST files as compared to multiple data files.
- Cleaner Structure- Combining PST helps to organize and keep the data in one place.
- Business migrations- Merging of PST files helps in the time of business migration when you need the entire data in one place.
Ways to Merge Fragmented PST Files:
Manual Methods to Merge Multiple Outlook PST Files into One File:
- Open Outlook.
- Go to File> Account Settings > Account Settings.
- Then, select the Data Files tab and add a new blank PST file
- Now, again, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- Select Import from another program or file.
- Select Outlook Data File (.pst).
- Browse the PST file to merge.
- Select the destination for the final file and move forward.
- Repeat these steps for each PST file to merge.
Strong Reasons to Avoid Using Manual Way to Merge Your Crucial Data:
- These processes take time, have the potential for duplication, and do not optimize the resulting file.
- This method is prone to human errors and consumes a lot of manual effort and time.
- It provides no option to merge the large data files in bulk without any size limitations. You will have to combine the files one by one, which can take hours or days.
- It provides no features or advanced filters to merge data files in an organized manner.
Automated Method Using Expert PST Merge software:
Manual ways are free, but on the other hand, they are risky for the crucial data. The best solution is to merge PST files using BitRecover Expert Wizard, which can merge your files securely without internet and size limitations, in bulk. Let’s explore the working of this ultimate tool in just 5 easy steps:
- Download and install the software.
- First, click on “Add Files” or “Add Folder” to import all your PST files manually, or click on “Configure Outlook mailbox data” to import automatically from Outlook. Apply recovery mode to merge corrupted files.
- Then, select your desired advanced filters, like from, to, subject, date range, folder name, or language, split PST in sizes, etc, to organize the data effectively.
- Now, choose your destination path and merging options. Check the Remove Duplicates box to eliminate the duplicate files.
- Hit the Merge button, and the process is completed.
Key Features of the PST Merge Tool:
- Bulk merge, without any size limitations.
- Standalone software requires no third-party software to process. Combines the entire database in one go.
- It offers special features like “recovery mode” to automatically merge corrupted data files and “remove duplicates” to remove repeated files.
- It provides the destination path option, which allows user to choose their final location for their files.
- This tool is compatible with all versions of Outlook.
Why Choose Automated Method over Manual Method?
1. Ease of use:
- Manual- Complex interface and consumes a lot of time and effort.
- Automated- User-friendly interface and merged in bulk, saves time.
2. Batch processing:
- Manual- Can’t handle multiple PST files at once to merge.
- Automated- It can export and merge the large files in bulk.
3. Handles encrypted files:
- Manual- It cannot merge or process password-protected or corrupted files.
- Automated- It can combine password-protected files automatically and offers a recovery mode for corrupted files.
4. Data loss:
- Manual- There is a lot of risk in data loss or misplacement, as every step is done manually.
- Automated- The PST merge tool is safer and secure as it is an offline tool, plus it offers with remove duplication method to eliminate repeated data automatically, and it has no size limitations, which saves files from getting corrupted while merging.
5. Features:
- Manual- It has no special features or filters to organize the data as per the needs.
- Automated- It offers special features mentioned above (3,4) and advanced filters, like from, to, date range, split PST, etc
6. Compatibility:
- Manual- Only dependent on Outlook version.
- Automated- Compatible with all the Outlook editions and Microsoft versions.
Conclusion:
In this article, we learned how we can merge fragmented PST files into one optimized file productively, using both manual and automated way. We got a clear picture that manual ways are free, but they come with high limitations, which can cause clutter during the merging process.
Using the PST merge software is the best solution to use if you have a huge data. It is highly safe and secure, runs offline, and has ultimate and advanced features for organized professional data.
