How to Copy Emails from Outlook to Flash Drive?

Ritu Roy | Email Conversion email migration How to's Outlook Software Technology Windows | 7 minutes read | Last updated on August 1st, 2023,
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In this article, we’ll explain how to copy emails from Outlook to Flash Drive which also contains contacts. Here, we’ll walk you through every step of how to save Outlook emails, complete with contacts and content, to a USB drive.

It is simple to save Outlook emails and contacts to a USB stick. However, users occasionally run across several issues while exporting Outlook emails to USB and flash drives.

As everyone is aware, Outlook email clients save information such as emails, contacts, calendars, notes, etc. Additionally, it is mostly utilised for sending and receiving emails for both personal and business use.

The information is saved as a PST file when POP is enabled on the Outlook email client. Furthermore, if you have Outlook set up with an IMAP server, an OST file is created. It also offers options for separating individual emails and contacts into MSG and CSV formats.

Moving Outlook emails and contacts to a flash drive is simple, but it might be challenging if you have a variety of Outlook files.

We’ll show you some of the problems users are having with the procedure. After that, we’ll address the questions and issues.

Questions from users about saving Outlook emails and contacts to USB sticks

“Hello, for some reason, a few days ago, my Outlook went corrupted. Outlook is configured to use an IMAP server. So that I might have it for the future, all I did was copy and paste the OST file onto the USB device. I must open an OST file without using Outlook, though, in order to perform a number of duties connected to my job. However, I am not aware of the cause of the file’s inability to open. Please offer any advice.

“Hey, move PST to another computer. I copied and pasted the PST file onto a flash drive. But despite my best efforts, Outlook will not allow me to open the file in the program. I would appreciate it if you could suggest the procedures.

First User Query Solutions: When Microsoft Outlook is configured to communicate with an IMAP server, an OST file is generated in a local directory. The faulty version of Outlook, known as an orphan, can also cause problems occasionally. primarily due to the fact that Outlook is not involved. Microsoft Outlook and any other email client will never be able to open an orphaned OST file. It won’t operate unless it is initially converted to a different file format.

In order to convert OST files into PST file format, users must utilise a third-party solution. As with CubexSoft OST File Converter, you can then use the file in Outlook.

In response to the second user’s query, this problem may occur when users copy and paste anything incorrectly or take a backup of a PST file that has a virus. Therefore, before Outlook PST issues appear, fix the Outlook PST file first.

Benefits of Storing Email on a USB Flash Drive

Saving emails on a USB flash drive can offer several benefits, depending on your needs and preferences. Here are some advantages:

  • Backup and Redundancy: By saving important emails on a USB flash drive, you create an additional backup outside of your email provider’s servers. In case your email account is compromised, or if there are issues with your email service, you’ll still have access to those important messages.
  • Portability: USB flash drives are small, lightweight, and portable. You can easily carry them with you, allowing you to access your saved emails on any computer with a USB port, even if it’s not connected to the internet. This can be useful for travel or when you’re on the go.
  • Offline Access: As mentioned earlier, once the emails are saved on the USB flash drive, you can access them without an internet connection. This can be valuable if you need to reference important information from your emails in places where internet access is limited or not available.
  • Security and Privacy: Some individuals may prefer to keep sensitive or confidential emails offline to enhance their security and privacy. By storing them on a USB flash drive, you can ensure that these messages are physically under your control and not accessible through online means.
  • Archiving and Organization: Saving emails on a USB flash drive can be a way to organize and archive important information for future reference. You can create specific folders and subfolders on the drive to categorize and store emails based on topics or projects.
  • Email Migration: If you plan to switch to a different email service or provider, having your emails on a USB flash drive can make the migration process smoother. You won’t need to worry about manually transferring each email; instead, you can simply import them into the new email client.
  • Preserving Sentimental Emails: Some people may save sentimental or meaningful emails, such as messages from loved ones or friends, as keepsakes. Storing these emails on a USB flash drive ensures that they are preserved and can be accessed whenever desired.

How to Copy Emails from Outlook to Flash Drive Manually?

We’ll show two ways to configure Outlook for POP and IMAP. However, before beginning the process, make sure to read all the warnings and restrictions.

Before beginning the process, take precautions.

It is possible that the USB drive you are using is infected with a virus, or it is also possible that the PST file you are using is corrupted, in which case the infection will spread to your USB stick. As a result, you should make a backup of the PST file.

If even one of the steps is skipped, there is a high risk of data loss.

Method 1. Export Outlook File Data to USB Drive

Go to the location of the PST file and copy and paste the file into a USB device if your Outlook creates PST files in the POP server format.

Method 2. Transfer Microsoft Outlook Emails to USB Flash Drive

When Microsoft Outlook is set up with an IMAP Server, then you have to generate a PST file using Outlook. Follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Open the Outlook email program.
  • Then, from the list, select “File” >> “Open & Export” >> “Import / Export.”
  • Now select “Outlook Data File (.PST)” from the drop-down menu under “Export to a File“.
  • Select the data and folder you want to export and copy next.
  • Apply the filter and then look through the location to store the data as needed.

You will now receive the PST file at the chosen location. Just attach the flash drive to the computer. Add the Outlook PST file on the USB stick by copying and pasting it.

Limitations of Manual Methods

  • Any email client other than Outlook email client will not open a PST file.
  • PST files are highly likely to be corrupt.

How to Save Outlook Contacts to USB Stick Manually?

Users of Outlook can save emails, contacts, calendar events, and other data as PST files. However, there is no requirement that you export your Outlook contacts in a separate file if you intend to use a different version of Outlook.

On the other hand, you should follow the instructions provided if you wish to export it in a common file format.

  • Open MS Outlook and select the Import/Export option.
  • Click on the Next button after selecting the Export to a File option.
  • Select the comma-separated values option and click Next to proceed.
  • Choose the folder from which to export, then select Next.
  • Select a location to save the resulting Outlook contacts, then click the Next button.
  • Map custom fields then select Finish.
  • transferring contacts in CSV format from Microsoft Outlook to a USB device.
  • Now you can pick and copy the exported CSV file.
  • Finally, copy and paste the generated CSV file into the USB stick as seen in the screenshot.

Users can easily and for no charge export Outlook contacts to USB drives in CSV format using this method. The final CSV file contains all of the data from the address book, including names, companies, departments, job titles, business information, home addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, anniversaries, web addresses, etc.

If you wish to save emails and contacts into different file formats for easy access, manual approaches are ideal for contacts. Then you should use a third-party program like the PST to CSV File Converter.

Most Demanding Solution – Convert Outlook Emails & Contacts to USD Drive

Use the all-in-one and hassle-free CubexSoft Outlook PST File Converter Tool to transfer Outlook emails with contacts and all associated information to a USB stick. The software provides a wide range of complex and advanced functions, including the ability to convert an unlimited number of PST files simultaneously. In addition, they convert PST and OST files into more than 20+ common file formats.

An easy-to-use yet effective tool can be used to quickly view PST file contents. The structure of the loaded and displayed contents is comparable to Outlook. Follow the steps listed below to correctly install the tool on your computer:

#1. Open the software and go to Add Files button to load Outlook PST files using the given options.

#2. Now, all data of the Outlook PST file will display on the screen, and choose the required data files.

#3. After that, hit on the Export button to select “Saving Output Option” from the list.

#4. Now, browse the desired destination path to save the files

#5. Finally, hit the “Convert” button to export Outlook emails to a USB drive with contacts

Wrapping Up

In the introduction to this blog, we provided a brief summary of the Outlook application and discussed how important it is to our daily lives. Then, we discussed a few scenarios in which exporting Outlook data to a USB flash drive would be desirable. We have included a summary of some advantages of this strategy. The process for how to copy emails from Outlook to flash drive was then thoroughly described. We also provided assistance with the procedure for importing and seeing the PST file’s contents. In the end, we offered PST Viewer as a service to users who wished to browse a PST file’s contents without importing it into Outlook. That is all, then. I hope this blog was useful.