PST is the file format of MS Outlook to store all types of databases including inbox, outbox, messages, notes and journals. The application has been designed to serve as a local medium for communication so the data should be connected. It is why PST files should be stored in the system instead of the network to smoothly access them.

You may face problems if a PST file is stored in the network.

Exchange 4.0 launched PST to allow users to access their databases on their local machine. Moreover, PST files are like the repository to store account data for Outlook client which work without the help of a server,

The fact is that PST is not designed for the network. Though, specifying network directory to a PST file is possible, for enterprises using PST on the network for a long duration is not an ideal solution. These files are file-access-drive storage method for messages.

If you are using LAN or WAN for reading and writing PST files, they are not the best practice. They are meant to connect employees instead of a file-access-drive method. The OS uses file-access-drive and network-access-drive methods for sending and receiving data.

When Outlook tries reading a remote PST file, It utilizes file commands. The Operating System has to send back these commands over the network because the location of the particular file is in a remote. It may cause multiple problems like

• Multiple overheads are created
• Take time to perform read/write
• If there is a network error, PST files can corrupt

• All process takes longer time than usual
• Writes operations may take longer time than the read operations
• The performance of Outlook will influence or slow-down
• Conditions When PST on Network Consider SuitableAccessing PST on the network is suitable when the bandwidth is higher but network connection latency is low
• Each file is accessed by a single client rather than multiple
• The outlook is running remotely by using RDSH or VDI or Windows server version 2008 R2

Network storage of PST may interrupt share function. The outlook may stop responding. However, the condition is for a temporary period. Storage of PST files on the network is possible but there are some guidelines to follow. But experts recommend avoiding saving PST files on the network.

No MS Outlook is one of the most outstanding email clients for email data management. It is much more than an email client because of its interactive data transfer feature. MS Outlook has some competitors like Thunderbird, Windows Mails and MAC. If you are looking for convert from  MS Outlook to Thunderbird, MS Outlook to Outlook Express, MS Outlook to Windows Live Mail or any other EML supportive email clients, the conversion is required. PST to EML conversion can b done manually or with a third application.

Users can able to convert Outlook to EML by using Outlook Expres. In case, PST file is not configured in MS Outlook, you will have to add PST file into the client. To access PST files into MS Outlook, use the ‘Open’ option of MS Outlook. There are a few simple steps to open PST into MS Outlook. Opening a PST File in MS Outlook

Go the ‘File’ menu and from the drop-down choose the ‘open’ option.

Now press ‘open Outlook data file’ option

Browse the location of the particular PST file and select it.

Finally, press the OK button to add the targeted PST file to MS Outlook

Access Outlook Express email client

Press the ‘File’ button

From the drop-down, select the ‘Import’ tab.

A new pop-up menu will open as you move the cursor to Import tab, select, Message’ from the menu.

A new window named ‘Outlook Express Import’ will open. From the list, choose ‘Microsoft Outlook’ and then press the next tab.

Now, you will have two options to choose from. Select ‘All Folders’ or ‘Selected folders’. The second option will give you the opportunity to customize your folder choice and then hit the Next tab.

As you hit the ‘Next’ tab, the process will begin.

As the whole data is exported, you will receive a congratulation message. Now, press the finish button.

In case you have more than one MS Outlook account, the Outlook Expres will ask you to choose the one.

After this process, the MS Outlook data will be imported to Outlook Express. You can able to access your MS Outlook data into Outlook Express. The imported emails can be saved to EML file format with drag and drop feature. At one time, you can select multiple emails to save into EML.

If you wish to access the PST database in Thunderbird, it can be possible manually. Mozilla Thunderbird is one of the most widely used free email platform. The interface of Thunderbird seems similar to Firefox to some extent. It is easy to manage.

Before converting PST to EML manually, you will have to make sure that both email clients are configured on the same system. There are a few simple steps that you need to follow for conversion.

First of all open Thunderbird

From the menu bar, take the cursor to ‘Tool’ and from the drop-down, choose Import.

A new window ‘Import’ will open with some choices. It offers two options, either ‘Import Everything’ or ‘Select the type of material’ to import.

Select the 1st option and press the tab Next.

A new window named ‘Import Wizard’ will pop-up. From here, mark ‘Outlook’ and press ‘Next’ tab.

The tool will start the migration process. Migration time depends on the size of the file.

As the migration process is over, select all and right click. From the drop-down, choose ‘Save as’ feature.

Now save the newly built EML file to the desired location.

It will create an EML file for each email.

These manual approaches seem easy, but they are not quick ways to transfer data. Moreover, error in the following mistakes can lead to data loss. Users, especially non-technicians, can download the third application like Softaken PST to EML converter. The tool is easy to operate. It doesn’t need migration assistance. The converted data can be accessed to Thunderbird, OE and several other EML supportive email clients.