Import Multiple MSG Files into Outlook PST File
If you work with Microsoft Outlook, you’ve likely encountered MSG files—individual email messages saved from Outlook or shared by colleagues, clients, or legal teams. While MSG is convenient for saving single emails, managing hundreds or thousands of MSG files in Windows folders quickly becomes messy. Searching, archiving, and migrating MSG items is difficult when messages are scattered across directories. That’s why many users prefer importing multiple MSG files into an Outlook PST file.
A PST (Personal Storage Table) file is Outlook’s standard container for storing emails, folders, contacts, calendars, and other mailbox data. Importing MSG files into PST lets you centralize email records, preserve organization, and keep everything accessible inside Outlook. In this guide, you’ll learn the best ways to import multiple MSG files into PST, why manual methods often fall short, and what to consider for a smooth bulk import.
Why Import MSG Files into a PST?
Bulk importing MSG into PST isn’t only for convenience. It’s also a practical solution for business continuity, compliance, and storage.
Common reasons include:
Email archiving: Store project emails, client communications, or case files in a single PST.
Migration and backup: Move MSG data to a portable Outlook-readable format.
Compliance and eDiscovery: Maintain structured email collections for audits or legal matters.
Better search and access: Outlook search works faster and more reliably than hunting through Windows folders.
Folder-based organization: Arrange emails by client, year, department, or ticket ID.
Understanding MSG vs PST
Before choosing a method, it helps to know what each format does:
MSG file: One Outlook message file. Often includes headers, body, attachments, and metadata. Stored as a standalone file.
PST file: A database-like container that can hold thousands of emails and folders, making it ideal for structured archiving and long-term storage.
Because Outlook works natively with PST files, converting or importing MSG items into PST is often the most Outlook-friendly way to manage bulk emails.
Method 1: Drag-and-Drop MSG Files into Outlook (Manual)
For small batches, Outlook supports drag-and-drop importing of MSG messages into a mailbox folder (or into a PST that you’ve already attached).
Steps:
Open Microsoft Outlook.
Create or attach a PST:
Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings
Open the Data Files tab
Click Add to create a new PST, or select an existing PST
In Outlook’s navigation pane, locate the new PST and create a folder (optional).
Open the Windows folder that contains your MSG files.
Select multiple MSG files (Ctrl + A or Ctrl-click).
Drag them into the desired Outlook folder inside the PST.
Limitations:
Not ideal for large volumes (hundreds/thousands).
Can be slow and may freeze Outlook.
Sorting and maintaining the folder structure is manual.
Risk of duplicates if you repeat the process.
Attachments typically import fine, but long sessions can increase error rates.
This method is okay for quick one-time imports, but not recommended for frequent or heavy bulk processing.
Method 2: Use Outlook “Import/Export” Wizard (Indirect)
Outlook’s Import/Export wizard does not directly import MSG files. However, it can help in specific workflows—such as when you first consolidate data into Outlook folders and then export that folder to PST.
Practical approach:
Drag-and-drop MSG files into a folder in Outlook (as explained above).
Then export that folder into PST:
Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export
Select Export to a file
Choose Outlook Data File (.pst)
Select the folder containing imported MSG files
Finish and save the PST
When this helps:
You want a PST with a clean folder hierarchy.
You need to export only specific folders.
Downsides:
Still depends on manual MSG importing first.
Not efficient for multi-folder MSG collections.
Method 3: Bulk MSG to PST Converter (Best for Large Imports)
If you need to import multiple MSG files into PST regularly—or you’re handling large email archives—a professional converter is typically the safest and fastest approach.
A reliable MSG to PST tool is designed for:
Batch import of MSG files from multiple folders
Preserving folder hierarchy
Maintaining email metadata (To, From, Subject, Date, Read/Unread status, where supported)
Keeping attachments intact
Avoiding duplicates with filters (in advanced tools)
What to look for in a tool:
Add Folder / Add Multiple Folders option
Preview of MSG items before export
Selective export (date range, folder selection, search)
Naming rules or folder mapping
Compatibility with Outlook 2019/2021/2024 and Microsoft 365 (depending on your environment)
Safe processing without modifying source MSG files
For IT admins, legal teams, and support engineers, a converter offers controlled, repeatable results—especially when working with large datasets or time-sensitive requirements.
Best Practices for a Smooth MSG to PST Import
Whether you use manual steps or a tool, these practices reduce errors and improve performance:
Organize MSG files into folders first
If your MSG files are mixed, sort them by project/client/year before import. This helps preserve order in PST.Avoid importing everything into one folder
Large single folders can slow Outlook search and indexing. Use structured folders.Check Outlook size limits
PST files can grow large, but performance can degrade with oversized PSTs. Consider splitting by year or department.Disable unnecessary add-ins
Some add-ins can slow bulk import. For heavy loads, keep Outlook lightweight.Run imports in smaller batches
If you’re using drag-and-drop, importing 200–500 messages at a time is usually more stable than importing thousands at once.
FAQs
Can Outlook import MSG files directly into a PST?
Outlook can drag-and-drop MSG files into folders that exist inside an attached PST. However, Outlook does not provide a dedicated “Import MSG” wizard.
Will attachments be preserved in PST?
In most cases, yes. MSG files typically contain attachments, and they usually transfer when imported properly. For large-scale imports, a dedicated tool provides more consistent results.
What’s the easiest way to import multiple MSG files?
For small volumes, drag-and-drop works. For large or complex datasets, a batch MSG to PST converter is the easiest and most reliable option.
Final Thoughts
Importing multiple MSG files into an Outlook PST file is one of the best ways to centralize email records, improve accessibility, and build a structured archive inside Outlook. While drag-and-drop methods can work for a few files, they become time-consuming and unreliable for large mail collections. If you’re managing bulk MSG archives, need to preserve folder hierarchy, or want a faster and error-free workflow, using a dedicated MSG to PST conversion tool is often the most efficient path.