Microsoft Outlook is a very popular email client among business professionals. It keeps mailbox information like emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, and notes in PST (Personal Storage Table) files. With time, numerous users end up working with multiple PST files because of data backups, account migration, or routine archiving. Working with multiple PST files can become untidy and inefficient.

If you are one of those who is asking, "Can I merge PST files in Outlook manually?" the reply is yes, albeit with some caveats. In this post, we will examine how to merge PST files in Outlook manually, why users need to merge PST files, how the manual process works, its limitations, and why an automated solution may be a wiser choice.

Why Do Users Need to Merge PST Files?

Before we proceed with the process of merging PST files, let's see why individuals want to merge PST files in the first place. Below are some typical scenarios:

1. Simplified Management

Juggling between multiple PST files can lead to confusion and disorganization. Merging them into a single file makes it easier to locate and manage your emails and other data. This is why many users search for how to combine Outlook PST files efficiently.

2. Improve Outlook Performance

Opening too many PST files slows down Outlook's performance. A single PST file improves Outlook's performance by minimizing overhead, which is yet another reason for users attempting to consolidate multiple PST files into one in Outlook.

3. Prevent Data Redundancy

If you keep many PSTs stored as backups or in multiple accounts, you are likely to have redundant emails or contacts. Merging prevents data duplication and eliminates redundancy.

4. Simpler Backup & Migration

When you intend to migrate or back up your information to a different system or Outlook version, having one PST file makes the operation easier. Here, it is very useful to know how to merge multiple PST files in Outlook into one file.

5. Organizational Needs

Businesses tend to merge PST files of various users for audit or compliance. IT admins will usually have to merge two data files in Outlook or more for added control and documentation.

Manual Method to Merge PST Files in Outlook

Yes, you can manually merge PST files in Outlook through Outlook's own features. The process isn't that complicated, butit  does need finesse. Below are two hand methods you can follow to learn how to manually merge PST files in Outlook.

Method 1: Import PST Files into a New Blank PST

1. Open Outlook and navigate to:
2. Home > New Items > More Items > Outlook Data File
3. Make a new blank PST file where you will be importing your data.

Import PST Files:

1. Navigate to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
2. Select "Import from another program or file."
3. Select "Outlook Data File (.pst)."
4. Navigate to the PST file you wish to merge and select a folder to import into.
5. Choose whether or not to allow duplicates.
6. Click Finish and let the process run its course.

Repeat the Process

If you have more than one PST file, keep repeating the import process for each file. This is how to combine several PST files into one in Outlook, by hand.

Method 2: Drag-and-Drop

1. Open all of the PST files within Outlook.
2. Drag folders or individual items manually from one PST to another.
3. This technique provides you with greater control over what is being moved, but takes longer. If you're wondering, how do you add an Outlook PST file to another one?, this technique addresses that as well.

Limitations of Merging PST Files Manually

Even though Outlook supports merging PST files in Outlook manually, the manual technique is far from ideal. Here are a few of its major drawbacks:

• Time-Consuming

If you have numerous or huge PST files, importing them may take hours. That is why most users who are researching how to merge Outlook PST files eventually resort to automation. 

• No Duplicate Handling

Outlook does not automatically identify or eliminate duplicate items. You will need to clean those up by hand later. If you're integrating backups, this is a significant disadvantage.

• Susceptible to Human Error

Dragging and dropping folders is prone to causing misplacement or unintended deletion. It's a dangerous method when attempting to merge Outlook PST files correctly.

• Outlook Dependency

You need Microsoft Outlook installed and running successfully, which sometimes may not be possible in all scenarios.

• Not Suitable for Non-Technical Users

The method could be daunting for users who are not aware of Outlook's advanced functionality or who simply need to combine two data files in Outlook quickly.

• Because of the above limitations, most users opt for an automated method after having tried how to merge PST files manually in Outlook.

A Better Solution: Use BitRecover PST Merge Wizard

If you need a quicker, more secure, and efficient method to combine several PST files, BitRecover PST Merge Tool is a great solution. It is an automatic software that will simplify the merging process, even for you if you're not tech-savvy.

Step-by-Step Instructions on Merging PST Files with the Tool

1. Download and install BitRecover PST Merge Wizard on your Windows computer.
2. Open the Tool and press Add Files or Add Folder to import PST files.
3. Select any of the three merging modes: Merge PST, join PSTs and merge contacts 
4. Choose the destination folder to save the merged PST file.
5. Press "Next" to start the merging.
6. Within a matter of minutes, your data will be organized into one PST file, ready to use. The utility is great for users who must merge several PST files into one in Outlook but do not want complexity.

BitRecover PST Merge Wizard Key Features

• Combine several PST files into a single file without Outlook.
• Remove duplicate items automatically while merging.
• Merge, Join, or Merge Contacts Only options. 
• Supports both ANSI and Unicode PST file formats.
• Maintains folder hierarchy and metadata in a merge.
• Compatible with Windows and Outlook PST files of all versions.
• It's the ideal solution for anyone looking into how to merge multiple Outlook PST files into one file without hassle.

Manual vs Automated: Which Is Best?

• Manual merging is free and included with Outlook, but slow, error-prone, does not remove duplicates, and requires Outlook to be installed.
• Automated joining with BitRecover is quick, trustworthy, rich in features, and doesn't need Outlook. It also provides accurate data and saves time.
• If you have large amounts of data or need a professional and convenient solution, the automated one evidently triumphs. It's the simplest solution to the question, How do I merge an Outlook PST File with an existing one?

Conclusion

To respond to the initial question, yes, you can manually join PST files in Outlook manually, but it takes time, effort, and does not include sophisticated features such as duplicate identification.

For users who desire an efficient, precise, and hassle-free experience, using a specialized tool such as BitRecover PST Merge Wizard is far preferable. Merging a handful of files or dozens, the tool gets the job done promptly and without the dangers inherent in manual merging.