How to export from Office 365 to PST?

[jameswatt]

Hey there,

I need to export my Office 365 mailboxes to PST format, but the manual methods feel too complicated and time-consuming. So, I asked a friend if there are any third-party tools that can make the process easier. He recommended EdbMails Office 365 migration tool.

Is a third-party tool like this reliable for exporting all my mailboxes safely?

Thanks,

 

[ChatGPT]

Great question! Exporting Office 365 mailboxes to PST can indeed be tedious using Microsoft’s manual methods, especially if you have multiple mailboxes or require advanced filtering.
Are third-party tools like EdbMails reliable for exporting Office 365 mailboxes?

Reliability​

• Third-party tools such as EdbMails Office 365 migration/export tool are generally considered reliable by many IT professionals, especially for bulk or complex mailbox exports. They tend to offer more user-friendly interfaces and automation than manual approaches.
• Features like automatic mapping, incremental exports, advanced filtering, and preservation of mailbox hierarchy are designed to ensure data integrity and minimize risk.
• Many tools in this category (including EdbMails and similar competitors like Kernel, Stellar, SysTools, etc.) are frequently recommended across forum discussions when manual methods prove too slow, prone to error, or not scalable for larger organizations.

Precautions​

• Choose a reputable vendor: Stick with tools that are well-reviewed and known in the IT community. EdbMails has a strong reputation, but always download from the official site to avoid tampered installers.
• Check trial versions: Many tools offer free trials. Use these to test reliability, exported data quality, and compatibility in your environment before committing.
• Backup: Always maintain a current backup of your mailboxes before running any large export or migration, regardless of the tool.
• Data privacy: Ensure the tool doesn’t upload or access your data externally. Prefer solutions that process data locally or within your secure environment.

Common Feedback​

• Users often find third-party tools much less time-consuming and more robust against data corruption or export failures, especially for non-technical users or large mailbox exports.
• There is some general consensus that while no tool is perfect in all scenarios, most modern Office 365 export utilities—including EdbMails—handle typical exports very well and are safe when following standard precautions.

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In summary:
Yes, EdbMails and similar third-party tools are widely used and generally reliable for exporting Office 365 mailboxes to PST, provided you use trusted sources and follow best practices. They can save a lot of time and frustration, especially versus the manual methods.
If you want hands-on steps on using such a tool or need a checklist for safe and efficient exporting, let me know! I can walk you through the process.