How to View and Open PST File without Outlook

  • Written By  

  • Published on: August 26th, 2021

  • Updated on: April 22, 2025

Summary: PST or Personal Storage Table files are best for Outlook users and administrators to maintain and track their Outlook data. The only limitation of them is that they are accessible with MS Outlook, online or offline. If Outlook doesn’t work or your file gets damaged, corrupted, or inaccessible, then how will you access the data? For this, we have created a reliable guide below that includes some methods and a SysInfo PST Viewer Tool to open PST file without Outlook.

Why Access PST Files Without Outlook?

We all know Outlook PST has emails, notes, journals, contacts, calendars, and other items. In earlier Outlook versions PST file was in ANSI format, but now it is in UNICODE with larger storage space. However, sometimes users have to view PST files without Outlook, such as in the following scenarios:

  • Exchanging PST files with users who do not have Outlook or whose subscription has expired.
  • Using Outlook through shared devices without its configuration to access data.
  • When the PST files are oversized and now Outlook displays an error or refuses to open them.

Generally, in the above-given situations, users open PST without Outlook. Yet, they encounter some challenges while opening, like:

  • Cannot open Outlook file without permissions error.
  • Performance degradation in Outlook restricts users from viewing PST.
  • Often, Outlook is compulsory with external tools to view PST.

Furthermore, let’s learn how we can read PST file without Outlook.

Possible Methods to Open PST File Without Outlook

A manual way prevails through which you can see the PST file content without spending money. However, with it, some loopholes prevail that can be avoided using a professional tool. All of them are briefly explained below with a proper guide.

Manually Open a PST File Without Installing Outlook

  1. Download the G Suite Migration for Microsoft Outlook (GSMMO) free tool from Google. Then, install and run it.
  2. Sign in to your Google Gmail account and click the Continue button on the screen.
  3. Further, you will be directed to the web to reselect your Google account. Choose it.
  4. Afterward, click Allow to grant the necessary permissions and complete the signup.
  5. Next, select the option From PST file(s) from the drop-down menu and pick a data option to migrate.
  6. Click Next and pick elements from the PST file that you want to view and read.
  7. Finally, click Migrate to begin the process and wait for PST items to be transferred into Gmail.
  8. Once the process completes, open large PST file in Gmail without Outlook.

The method is right, but only works if you have a Google Workspace account. Also, it is a bit lengthy, requires effort, and involves several steps. Alternatively, there are some more manual ways, like using Thunderbird or online PST file opener tools. But they aren’t very reliable solutions. So, let’s move on to the most effective way to access a PST file without any hassle.

Effective Software to Open PST File Without Outlook

The SysInfo PST Viewer Tool is an all-in-one solution to access and read PST files. It displays emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and more—even without Outlook installed. The tool needs no expertise and can be downloaded on any Windows OS. Additionally, it conveniently displays all Outlook version .pst files and saves them in a healthy state on the PC. Moreover, the tool opens both ANSI and UNICODE single and multiple PSTs within seconds. Besides that, it also has other file formats to save data and seamlessly access it with other email clients.

Working Procedure to Open a PST File With a Dedicated Tool

  1. Launch the software given above and press Select File from the options.
  2. Then, add the PST file to it. Use the Open button and recheck the files.
  3. Click Next, and all the files and folders are displayed in a tree structure.
  4. Further, double-click on the folder to preview data in detail on the screen.
  5. Press Next and proceed further. Why? If you need to save the data in a desired format.

Conclusion

To sum up, we first studied why there is a need to open PST file without Outlook. Next, we learned two different approaches to view the PST file. Both methods do not require MS Outlook installation and are highly reliable. They provide accurate results, but the manual method is not suitable for large and many files. For that, a professional tool does the work well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can I open bulk PST Files?

Ans: Open large PST file in bulk by following these steps:
Run PST File Viewer. Upload Outlook data files that you need to read.
Click Next and check the folders displayed in the tree format on the left.
Finally, double-click the PST files to read them and look at their attachments.

Q. Can I view a PST file without Outlook?

Ans: Yes. Access PST files without Outlook through these:
1. Google Workspace Migration for Microsoft Outlook Tool
2. Mozilla Thunderbird Email Application
3. Online PST File Viewer Tools
4. The best, expert Outlook PST Viewer Open Source Tool.

5/5 - (1 vote)

About The Author:

As a content writer, I specialize in Email Migration, Data Recovery, Email Backup, and File Management. I have been writing professionally for two years now. There is so much information available in this field that I am intrigued by the newer technologies and techniques.

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