Best 02 Solutions to Convert ANSI and Unicode PST to EML
If you are using Outlook then you are familiar with the PST file, which stores emails, contacts, calendars more. Older versions of Outlook before 2023 create PST file in ANSI format newer versions use Unicode format. Many users need to shift or change from email clients like Outlook, but in that case, all your PST emails are locked up in the PST file the biggest challenge is opening PST files without Outlook. To access their emails, users need to convert PST data into EML format.
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In this blog, we’ll explain what EML and PST formats are, why a need for conversion what the two different solutions are for conversion. This guide will help you choose an appropriate solution for conversion.
Overview: PST & EML
PST File Format: PST is a Personal Storage Table which used by Microsoft Outlook for storing all the mailbox data in one place. In this format all your properties, like emails, contacts, calendars, attachments, journals notes are saved in a single database form. Outlook's old version creates an ANSI format PST file whose size limit is 2 GB. Later, Outlook introduced the Unicode PST format newer version of Outlook provides a 50 GB size limit and gives support in multiple languages.
EML File Format: EML is an individual email message file that supports different email clients like Microsoft, Mozilla, Apple Mail, Thunderbird Outlook Express. Each EML file represents a single email, like email body, sender-receiver details, date-time, attachments subject line. EML is a plain format and is based on the MME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) standard. EML is a lightweight, easily transferable universally supported format. The user can simply open files in Notepad and edit them.
Reasons to convert ANSI and Unicode PST to EML
Access Emails Without Outlook
PST file only access in Microsoft Outlook. If Outlook is not installed in the user’s system, then they are not able to access emails. EML is a universal format that can be opened in multiple email clients, like Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail Windows Live Mail
Platform Independence
PST is a platform-dependent format (Windows + Outlook only). Whereas EML is a cross-platform format that supports Windows, macOS, Linux systems more.
Easy Backup & Sharing
EML Files are in the form of individual email messages. This makes it very easy to back up and share specific emails becomes so simple. In comparison makes EML files are lightweight and portable.
Data Safety & Corruption Issues
It has a high chance of corruption of Large PST files, especially in ANSI format. Converting to the EML format will make the data safer because emails are divided into separate files.
Email Migration Simplicity
When users want to shift from Outlook to Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or any other web-based email clients, then EML conversion is the best option because this format supports the maximum clients.
Selective Email Extraction
User exports specific emails or folders, no need to export the whole PST data, which saves storage and makes the work smoother.
Support for All PST Types (ANSI & Unicode)
Both ANSI PST files from older Outlook versions and Unicode PST files from newer versions can be converted to EML format to make them compatible. This makes it easier to manage old and new data in a single format.
Better Email Organization
In EML format, each email is a separate file, which makes folder-wise sorting, searching archiving simple, especially for users with large mailboxes.
Manual method to Convert ANSI and Unicode Outlook to EML
Steps to convert PST to EML data with the manual method
Step 1: Launch Microsoft Outlook: Launch Outlook on your PC.
Step 2: Add PST File: If not already, add the PST file. To add your PST file, navigate to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File.
Step 3: Locate the Mail Folder: Locate the folder containing the emails you wish to convert.
Step 4: Make a New Folder: You may move your emails to a new folder called Export or EML Files.
Step 5: Select the Emails: Choose the Emails. Holding down the Ctrl key while using your mouse will allow you to choose one or and more emails.
Step 6: Click on Save As: From the menu bar, select File > Save As and click Save As.
Step 7: Select a Location: Decide the folder to store your EML files in.
Step 8: Choose File Type: In Save as type select EML (or HTML/Text if EML isn't available).
Limitations
Time-Consuming Process
No Batch Conversion
Requires Outlook Installation
Not for Corrupted Files
Risk of Data Loss
Folder Hierarchy Lost
Limited Format Support
Technical Knowledge Required
Attachment Handling Issues
Inconsistent Results
Technical method to Convert ANSI and Unicode Outlook PST files to EML
This Softaken PST to EML Converter application has the power to solve all the issues that are faced by users during conversion, like Slow Performance, single-file limitation, Outlook Dependency, No Corrupt File Support, Data Safety concerns, Structure Not Preserved, Few Supported Formats, Not Beginner-Friendly, Attachment Errors, Unreliable Output and more. This tool helps users Convert ANSI and Unicode PST to EML format because PST files support Outlook only, but EML format is supported by multiple email clients like Microsoft, Mozilla, Apple Mail, Thunderbird Outlook Express. The productivity of the users' work will increase smooth conversion will occur.
Advanced features
Convert Both ANSI & Unicode PST Files- This tool supports both formats and ensures compatibility with Outlook versions from 2000 to 2021.
Batch Conversion Supported- This tool supports batch conversion, in which the user selects different folders and converts their data.
Preview Before Conversion- The best features of this application are that it provides a preview of the data before converting it.
Maintains Original Folder Structure- The folder hierarchy will remain the same after the conversion.
Exports All Email Components- This tool exports all types of email components, like To, Cc, Bcc, Subject, Date, Attachments, Inline Images, Hyperlinks preserves all the data properly.
No Outlook Installation Required- Users don’t need to install any third-party application for the conversion process.
Final words
One smart technique to improve the portability, accessibility security of your Outlook data is to convert ANSI and Unicode PST files to EML format. Users frequently encounter problems when attempting to access or distribute emails outside of Outlook since PST files are dependent on Outlook. Conversely, the EML format provides versatility, ease of sharing broad interoperability with various email tools.
The manual method takes a lot of effort and involves technical processes, even if it could work for a few emails. The best choice is to use a professional PST to EML Converter Tool for mass, accurate quick conversion. It guarantees complete data integrity, preservation of the folder hierarchy a seamless transition from Outlook to any platform that supports EML.
FAQ
What are the differences between ANSI and Unicode PST files?
ANSI is the older PST format of Outlook it stores 2GB of data only
Unicode is the new format of Outlook it stores 50GB of data.
Can I convert PST data without installing Outlook?
Yes, the user can convert data easily without installing Outlook.
Is there any risk of data loss during Conversion?
No, it protected 100% data during and after the conversion
Which email clients support EML format?
EML supports multiple email clients like Microsoft, Mozilla, Apple Mail, Thunderbird Outlook Express.