How to Extract Attachments from PST File?

Introduction: PST (Personal Storage Table) files are commonly used to store email messages, contacts, calendars, and other data in Microsoft Outlook. These files offer a convenient way to manage and backup your Outlook data. Sometimes attachments may include some crucial data. Users need to download these attachments. In this blog, we will discuss how to extract attachments from PST file using manual and automated solutions.

Quick Solution: Try Xtraxtor PST Attachment Extractor to download all attachments at once. With this tool, you can also extract attachments from MBOX, OST, MSG, and many other file formats.

Reasons to Extract Attachments from PST File

Extracting attachments from PST files can be advantageous for several reasons, as outlined below:

Space Management: PST files can grow significantly in size over time, especially if they contain a large number of email attachments. Extracting attachments helps free up space in the PST file, reducing the risk of corruption and improving overall Outlook performance.

Backup and Archiving: By extracting attachments from PST files, you can create separate backups or archives of important attachments. This ensures that even if the PST file becomes corrupt or inaccessible, you still have access to the essential attachments.

Attachment Organization: Having attachments saved separately from emails allows for better organization and easier access. You can categorize attachments based on their content or sender, making it simpler to find specific files when needed.

Improved Searchability: When attachments are stored as separate files, it becomes easier to search for specific content within those attachments. This is particularly useful when you need to locate information within documents, spreadsheets, or presentations.

Sharing and Collaboration: Extracted attachments can be easily shared with colleagues or collaborators without the need to share the entire PST file. This enhances collaboration and ensures that only relevant information is exchanged.

Security and Privacy: In some cases, PST files might contain sensitive or confidential attachments. Extracting these attachments allows you to secure them separately with appropriate access controls, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Method 1. How to Download Attachments from PST Manually?

Outlook provides a built-in method to extract attachments from emails in a PST file. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open Microsoft Outlook.

2. Go to the "File" tab in the top left corner of the window.

3. Select "Open & Export," then choose "Open Outlook Data File."

4. Browse to the location of your PST file and click "Open."

5. Once the PST file is added to your Outlook profile, you can see its contents in the folder list.

6. Navigate to the folder containing the emails with attachments you want to extract.

7. Select the email message(s) with attachments and right-click on them.

8. Choose "Save As" or "Save Attachments" from the context menu, depending on your Outlook version.

9. Select the destination folder on your computer where you want to save the attachments, and click "OK."

Outlook will extract the attachments from the selected email messages and save them to the specified location on your computer.

Method 2. How to Export Attachments from PST Instantly?

If you have a large number of emails with attachments to extract, performing the process manually can be time-consuming. In such cases, third-party software like Xtraxtor PST Attachment Extractor, allows you to extract attachments in bulk or automate the extraction process based on specific criteria. With this utility, you can also import PST to Office 365, Gmail, and many other email accounts. The tool enables you to save only required attachments from PST file. Try its free version and extract attachments in a few simple clicks.

Step 1. Launch this software on your system.

Step 2. Now, click on Open >> Email Data Files >> Choose PST File.

Step 3. Go to Extract and select Attachments.

Step 4. Browse the location to save extracted attachments and then click on the Save button.

Conclusion

Extracting attachments from PST files is a valuable skill for managing your Outlook data efficiently. Whether you opt for the built-in Outlook method or choose third-party software for more advanced extraction options, always ensure you have a backup of your original PST file to prevent any potential data loss.