Free e-mail client that supports outlook *.pst files...

[retroborg]

Hi
At work (Public civil service) , I’m currently using Windows XP Pro and Office XP Pro & Oulook e-mail client for my e-mails which are stored in a *.pst file.

I would like to remove Office XP PRO and install OpenOffice instead.
My only query, is there a free (For commercial use) e-mail client with similar interface as Outlook that also supports *.pst files? I want to able to use the existing *.pst file where all my current e-mails and contacts are stored.

Thanks in advance!

[guns1inger]

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Import_.pst_files explains how to import from a pst to Thunderbird (Mozilla's freeware email client). You need Outlook installed and set as the default email client to do this though. Most utilities for converting pst files also require Outlook to be installed during conversion, although once you have the details imported, you can uninstall it.

You could also try this plugin for Thunderbird : http://freshmeat.net/projects/pstimportplugin/?branch_id=72191&release_id=265973 to see if it can read the pst files without having Outlook installed.

[retroborg]

Thanks!
But If I do import them into thunderbird, will I be able to re-convert them into *.pst at a later time in case we buy Office 2007 Pro in the future?

Thanks in advace.

[guns1inger]

No. But you can export them in a way that Outlook can import them again.

If you just want to import the .pst files you have now, burn them to a CD and put them in a dark cupboard.

If you want to export emails recieved since the .pst files were imported, read this : http://kb.mozillazine.org/Importing_and_exporting_your_mail

Note : if you want to use .pst files, you have to stick with outlook. Nothing else uses them, or reads and writes to them natively.

[lordsmurf]

Gmail can import mail from Outlook too.

[HmNtr]

If you just want to switch email clients, you may want to think about the pros and the cons of your actions, especially in the work place... my advice?

Firstly, in the public position that you are in, are you the IT manager, who makes all decisions for the company on a technological level? If not, then do not switch email clients.

Secondly, being in public office, people need to be able to access your public calendar to see when you are available, or if you are busy, or be able to sync their messages with yours. Query: Will you changing email clients still allow others within the workplace to send you scheduled meeting reminders and such?

Thirdly, having been there/done that before, I had found that there are number consequences to adding and removing software with out explicit permission to do so, and can really get you in some deep water...


Now, if it is just data extraction that you are concerned about, there are a number of programs that can actually read and extract the data from those .pst files, but those programs are pretty high end stuff, and there are no trial versions to use, unfortunately.

Back when I did Litigation Support, there were a number of different pieces forensic software that could load all most any file and then read it, encrypted or not, it could and would hammer away at the file until it was blown wide open, and all the secrets of the file revealed.

My point is just be sure what you are doing, why you are doing it, and make sure to think about all the repercussions of your actions.

HmNtr