Outlook How to Merge archive files or other pst-files
Master archive
Since you are going to create one big archive, I’d recommend that you start off with a new pst-file which will become your “Master Archive” and then copy the contents of all your archives into this single archive instead of appending any existing archive. This way, you’d still have the original in case a merge goes wrong.
- Create a new pst-file. This will be your “Master Archive”.
- Outlook 2007 and previous
File-> New-> Outlook data file… - Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2013
File-> Account Settings-> Account Settings…-> tab Data Files
- Outlook 2007 and previous
- Choose a location and name for the archive file and a display name for it in Outlook when prompted.
- I recommend a folder called Outlook in your Documents folder. Either way, make sure you do not select a network location as that is not supported.
- If you get prompted for a type of storage file, do not select the 97-2002 version as you’ll archive will limited to 2GB then (pst-files created in Outlook XP/20002 and previous will always be limited to 2GB).
- Connect one of you old archives to Outlook if it hasn’t been connected yet:
File-> Open-> Outlook Data File… - Copy the contents from the original archive to the new “Master Archive”. You can copy entire folders at once.
Use the right mouse button instead of the left when dragging and dropping to make sure you are copying. - To easily move Calendar items, switch it to a List View via the View menu or View tab.
- Once done copying, disconnect the original archives
- Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007
File-> Data File Management… - Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2013
File-> Account Settings-> Account Settings…-> tab Data Files
- Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007
- If you want the new “Master Archive” to be your default archiving location, you can change the location in;
- Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007
Tools-> Options-> tab Other-> button AutoArchive… - Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2013
File-> Options-> Advanced-> button: AutoArchive Settings…
- Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007
Using Import
You could use the Import option as well to import your original archives into a new “Master Archive”. However, the Import process gives you less control in selecting a different destination location on a per-folder or even per-item basis.
The Import process is also known to freeze on occasion. When it works, it is definitely the faster option. When it hangs, it is hard to find out where it got stuck and from which point you need to continue the import process to prevent duplication.
When you go for the Import option, keep in mind the following 3 things;
- Scan all your pst-files with scanpst.exe first as errors in the pst-file can hang the import process.
- Make a backup of all your pst-files (and possibly your Exchange mailbox) before starting with importing and create a new backup after each successful import.
This way, when an import goes wrong, you don’t have to fiddle with cleaning up manually. Simply restore the backup (replace the pst-file when Outlook is closed) and try again or use the manual method as indicated above. - Make sure you select the “Master Archive” as the destination for the import process. If you forget this, your archive will import into your main mailbox instead.
You can find the Import option in Outlook under;
- Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007
File-> Import and Export… - Outlook 2010
File-> Open-> Import - Outlook 2013
File-> Open & Export-> Import/Export