Many Outlook users save emails in PST file format to better organize and backup them. However, they face a common issue, i.e., how to open PST file without Outlook.
A PST (Personal Storage Table) file is a Microsoft-dedicated file format for storing emails, calendar events, and other data. Because of this, many other email programs and other tools do not support this format. However, don't lose hope.
In this guide by SwifDoo PDF, we will learn how to open PST file without Outlook using 5 best-proven ways. So, let's head right to it!
Way 1. Convert PST File to TXT Format
The easy way to open a PST file without Outlook is by converting it into TXT format. The TXT format is universally acceptable and openable on almost any device.
Follow the below steps to learn how you can open PST file without Outlook by converting PST to TXT:
Step 1. Launch Outlook and select the PST file.
Step 2. Click File and select the Save As option.
Step 3. Select Text Only in the Save as type dropdown menu and click Save.
The PST file will be saved as the TXT file, which many other tools, like MS Word, can now open.
Learn how to transform PDF into TXT with the article below:
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READ MORE >Way 2. Convert PST File to MSG File Format
If the TXT format does not suit your requirements, you can convert PST to MSG file format. However, only a limited number of PST files are convertible to MSG format.
Here's how to open PST file without Outlook by converting to MSG format:
Step 1. Launch Outlook and select the mail to convert.
Step 2. Create a new folder on your desktop to save MSG files.
Step 3. Drag the mail to that folder to store them as MSG files.
Once converted, you can open the MSG-converted file without Outlook.
Way 3. Import PST File Content in Gmail
Another way to open a PST file without Outlook is to migrate and open it in Gmail. To do so, you need to use the Google GAMMO tool, which helps in migrating PST to Gmail. The steps are as follows:
Step 1. Download, install, and launch the Google GAMMO tool on your computer.
Step 2. Select the PST file location and click Next.
Step 3. Select the content you want to migrate and click the Migrate button.
Once the migration is completed, you can view the PST file in Gmail.
Way 4. Save as HTML Format
Other than saving your emails in the PST format, you can also save them in HTML format, which is more compatible with tools beyond Outlook. Follow the below steps to learn how to open PST file without Outlook using the HTML format:
Step 1. Launch Outlook and open the email you want to save as HTML.
Step 2. Click File > Save As.
Step 3. Under Save as type, select HTML and click Save.
Now, you can easily view the HTML file using any compatible tool.
Way 5. Use the Free PST Viewer Application
In addition to using the above three methods directly from Outlook, you can also use PST viewer applications. These tools are designed to assist users in viewing PST files without Outlook.
Below, we have shortlisted a few PST viewer applications that you can use:
1. MS Outlook Help PST Viewer
MS Outlook Help PST Viewer is a free desktop-based tool for viewing PST files. It analyzes the provided PST file and allows you to read PST content, such as emails, calendars, contacts, events, tasks, etc. It also supports converting PST files to other formats, including PDF, CSV, MSG, and more.
2. Aryson PST Viewer Tool
Aryson PST Viewer is another free tool to view Outlook PST files. It allows you to view all Outlook items, such as emails, calendars, tasks, contacts, and more. You can also use it to save PST file in other formats, like PDF, MBOX, EML, etc. It is easy to use with a click-based interface.
3. ConverterTools PST File Viewer
ConverterTools PST File Viewer is a freeware solution for how to open PDF file without Outlook. It can intelligently scan any PST file, no matter the size. Moreover, it also allows you to view PST file metadata like file type, version, compression type, etc.
Bonus: View, Edit, and Convert PDFs in SwifDoo PDF
Other than PST, PDF is also a popular file format used in day-to-day professional activities. Therefore, it's important to have a reliable PDF tool that can help handle PDF-related activities, like viewing, editing, converting, and much more. This is where SwifDoo PDF comes into action.
SwifDoo PDF is a comprehensive PDF reader & editor that provides the ultimate solution to your PDF document. With SwifDoo PDF, you can:
- Edit PDF – Edit text, images, links, and other PDF elements.
- Annotate PDF – Highlight, draw, underline, add stamps, and do other annotations.
- Convert PDF – Convert PDF to Word, Excel PPT, image, etc.
- AI PDF Assistant – AI assistance in getting PDF summaries, translations, proofreading, and more.
- Compress PDF – Shrink PDF size for easy storage and sharing.
- Merge/Split PDF – Merge and split PDF with simple clicks.
- Sign PDF – Create and add digital and electronic signatures.
- Protect PDF – Password-protect PDFs to avoid unauthorized access/edits.
- SwifDoo Cloud – Dedicated cloud storage to save PDFs.
All the above SwifDoo PDF features are accessible through a unified and click-based interface. In addition, SwifDoo PDF offers dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Simply put, SwifDoo PDF is your all-in-one tool to manage PDFs proficiently. Try out SwifDoo PDF right now and test out its features yourself.
Conclusion
Outlook users who use PST files are often concerned with how to open PST file without Outlook. This guide has shown that there are many ways to open and view PST files without Outlook. So, it mainly depends on which method you want to use. You can either convert PST to other formats directly from Outlook or use any reliable PST viewer.