"Cannot Open OLM files in Windows Outlook" Solve this Problem

When you tried to open olm files, you got an error: cannot open OLM files in Windows Outlook. You do not know how to fix this error. Hence, in this article, we will discuss the reasons behind the issue and various solutions to fix this error.

OLM file used by Mac Outlook to store a lot of data like emails, calendars, contacts, events, etc. Users cannot open this file in Windows Outlook. As it is only for Mac Outlook. However, if you want to open it, you have to change the file format. That is to change the OLM file into PST. as a PST file used by Windows Outlook. Like any other file format, OLM files also cause many problems such as cannot open OLM files in Windows Outlook.

Reasons Why Users Cannot Open OLM Files in Windows Outlook

As your OLM file is stored in local storage in your system. There are chances that your OLM file can be damaged or corrupt. This leads to many problems like cannot open OLM files in Windows Outlook. There are also other reasons as well, such as.

• There is a high chance that your OLM file is attacked by any virus or malware, which as a result causes this problem.
• If your Mac Outlook suddenly froze or crashed while working on an OLM file. Chances of an OLM file being damaged are there.
• Any incomplete installation or outdated Mac Outlook, can also cause this issue.

So, these are some common reasons that you cannot open OLM files in Windows Outlook. Now, we are going to discuss the solutions to solve the problem.

Solutions to Solve Cannot Open OLM Files in Windows Outlook

As both Mac Outlook and Windows Outlook use two different file formats. So, there is no direct way to solve the problem. Thus, in order to solve the issue cannot open OLM files in Windows Outlook, we are using an indirect approach. In this approach, we use two solutions: Manual and Professional solutions. the Manual solution uses an IMAP server to solve the problem. Here, IMAP will become an intermediate between Mac Outlook and Windows Outlook. In The professional solution, we use a converter software that converts OLM files into PST, which will help to solve the problem easily. So, two solutions to solve the problem are.

• Manual solution: here, we use an IMAP server, which acts as an intermediate between Mac Outlook and Windows.
• Professional solution: in this, we use software that converts OLM into PST files.

Manual Solution for Cannot Open OLM Files in Windows Outlook

This solution is free and is a five steps process. It uses the IMAP server that acts as an intermediary between Mac Outlook and Windows Outlook. So, the following are the steps to solve cannot open OLM files in Windows Outlook.

Step 1: Create Gmail Account with IMAP Server

This is the first step of the process. Here, we make sure that the email account you use, connected to the IMAP server or not. Follow the steps for this stage.

• Go to the Gmail application. Sign in with your email account.
• Click on the gear icon. After that click on the Settings option.
• Now, click on Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
• Check the IMAP section and enable the IMAP option. Click on the Save option.

Step 2: Configure Email Account to Mac Outlook

After enabling the IMAP in your account. Now, you add this email account to Mac Outlook.

• First, open the Mac Outlook program. Click on the File option and then, the Account option.
• Now, click on + sign to add your email account. After that, click on the email address pane. Enter your email address, password, and the username in the box.
• Type imap.gmail.com in the incoming server. Then, click on Use SSL to connect.
• After that, enter smtp.gmail.com on the outgoing server. Click on both options under the outgoing server.
• Now, type 465 on the outgoing port. Then, click on add account option.
• On the left side of the pane, check the yellow button. If the button turns green then that means your connection is made.

Step 3: Transfer OLM File Data to Email Account

In this step, we move the data from the OLM file into the configured email account.

• Right-click on the folder you want to move and click on the copy option.
• After that, select the folder from Gmail. Move the data to the folder.
• Now, you can see a navigation bar at the bottom to see if your file is uploading.

Step 4: Configure IMAP Account to Windows Outlook

You have now transferred the data which has the issue of cannot open OLM files in Windows Outlook. Now, we configure the same email account to Windows Outlook.

• Open the Windows Outlook. Click on the file option. Then, Info and select Account settings.
• Click on New Account. After that, check the advanced server type or manually configure the server settings option.
• Click on the Internet Email option. Enter the same email address, password, and username, you use in Mac Outlook.
• In account type, select the IMAP option. Then, again type imap.gmail.com on the incoming server and smtp.gmail.com on the outgoing server.
• After that, enter 993 in the advanced tab. This number is the incoming server port.
• Select SSL as the encryption type. In the outgoing server port, type 465.
• Click on the OK button, then select Test Account settings. At last, click on Finish.

Step 5: Transfer Data from Email Account to Windows Outlook

This is the last stage of the process. Here, we move the data as we have migrated from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook.

• Open the Gmail application. Click on the gear icon.
• Click on the Forwarding and POP/IMAP options. Enable the IMAP option from the IMAP access dialog box.
• Now, according to your preferences, check the Auto-Expunge option.
• Click on the archive option, if you want to archive the files.
• At last, click on the Save option. To confirm your changes. On Outlook, click on the send/Receive message option.

At last, your OLM file successfully imports in Windows Outlook. With this your problem of cannot open OLM files in Windows Outlook solved.

Limitation of Manual Solution

This method is free and solves the problem of cannot open OLM files in Windows Outlook. But with this, it also has a lot of limitations, some of which are.

• This method is very lengthy and it will become complicated for non-technical users.
• There is a chance that your data can be lost or partly data is downloaded.
• If the issue is in the file, then this method is not applicable.

Hence, this solution is not a reliable one. Therefore, in order to overcome these limitations, we are going to use another solution.

Professional Solution for Cannot Open OLM Files in Windows Outlook

As the manual solution is not a good solution to solve the problem. So, we use software that converts the files in minutes and helps to fix the error. Here, we use SysTools OLM to PST Converter. This software is free and provides various features.

Features of the Software

• This software converts bulk OLM files into PST very easily.
• It can also convert OLM files into PST along with attachments.
• You can save a copy of the scanned file.
• The software provides previews of your files in different modes.
• It also maintains data integrity and folder hierarchy.

Steps to Convert OLM File to PST

1. Download and launch the software. Click on the add file.
2. Browse your file and click on add file option.
3. After clicking the scanning process will start. Click on the yes button after the scanning process completes.
4. Now, preview your files. If you want to export all the files, then click on the Export option.
5. Or Select the files you want to export and click on Export selected.
6. Select PST as export type and browse the file, where you want.
7. Click on maintain folder hierarchy and then, the export button.

Conclusion

There are many reasons that you are unable to open OLM files in Windows. However, this error can be easily solved using manual or professional solutions. In the manual solution, we use an IMAP server to move the data from the OLM file to Windows. This method is free, but it is a very lengthy process. That’s why we use professional solution. Here, we use expert-recommended software that can easily solve the problem. Thus, this solution is the best solution for can’t open OLM files in Outlook.