How to Backup Outlook Emails to Google Drive
In short: To backup Outlook emails to Google Drive, export your mail from classic Outlook to a PST file, then upload that file to Google Drive. A PST is a full archive but cannot be opened in Drive online, so if you want to read the mail there, save the emails as PDF instead and upload those. New Outlook has no PST export, so switch to classic Outlook or use a tool.
Choose: full PST archive or readable PDFs
Decide this first, because it changes the method. A PST holds your whole mailbox in one file, perfect as a complete backup you can restore into Outlook later. The catch is that Google Drive cannot open a PST online, so it just stores the file. To read anything you download it and open it in Outlook. If instead you want to browse or read the mail right inside Drive on any device, save the messages as PDF, which Drive previews natively. One more thing to know up front: the Import/Export wizard that creates a PST lives in classic Outlook only. If you are on New Outlook, switch back with the toggle at the top right. You can also use a tool.
Technical Executive, Corbett Software
“People export a PST, drop it in Drive and think the job is done, then find they cannot open it there. A PST is a restore file, not a reader. If you actually want to read the mail in Drive, save it as PDF. Keep the PST too if you may need to load it back into Outlook one day.”
Export Outlook to a PST, then upload to Drive
This gives you a complete archive in Drive. Use classic Outlook on Windows.
- In Outlook, go to File, then Open & Export, then Import/Export.
- Choose Export to a file, then Next.
- Pick Outlook Data File (.pst), choose the folders or the whole account, ticking include subfolders.
- Browse to a location, click Finish, then set a password if you want one. Outlook writes the PST, usually under C:\Users\you\Documents\Outlook Files.
- Open drive.google.com, click New, then File upload, then select the PST.
Remember the 15 GB of free Google storage is shared across Drive, Gmail and Photos, so a large PST can fill it fast.
Save emails as PDF to read them in Drive
PDFs open straight in Drive, which suits the messages you actually want to reach on the go.
- Open the email in Outlook, go to File, then Print.
- Choose Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer, then Print, then save the PDF.
- Upload the PDFs to Drive with New, then File upload. You can also drop them into a Drive folder.
This is one message at a time, so it fits a set of key emails. For a whole mailbox as PDFs, use the tool below.
Auto-sync with Drive for desktop
If you would rather not upload by hand, let Drive do it.
- Install Drive for desktop and sign in, which adds a Google Drive folder on your PC.
- Drag emails out of Outlook into that folder, where each lands as an MSG file. You can also copy your PST into it.
- Anything placed in the folder uploads to Drive on its own, then future changes sync automatically.
Convert a PST to Drive-friendly files with a tool
To put a whole mailbox in Drive as files you can actually read, turn the PST into PDFs in one pass.
The Corbett PST Converter opens your exported PST and saves every message as PDF, as EML, MSG or MBOX, with attachments and folder structure kept. A date and folder filter lets you export only what you need, so the readable output drops straight into a Drive folder. A free demo edition runs on every edition of Windows.
- Install and open the tool, then click Open, choose Email Data Files and select your PST.
- Let it preview, then click Extract or Export and choose PDF.
- Apply any date or folder filter, pick your Drive for desktop folder as the destination, then Save.
Frequently asked questions
How do I backup Outlook emails to Google Drive?
Export your mail from classic Outlook to a PST file, then upload it to Google Drive with New and File upload. To read the mail inside Drive, save the emails as PDF and upload those instead.
Why can I not open my PST in Google Drive?
Google Drive stores a PST but has no viewer for it, so it cannot open it online. You download the PST and open it in Outlook. You can also save the mail as PDF first so Drive can preview it.
New Outlook has no Import or Export option. What do I do?
New Outlook dropped the Import/Export wizard. Switch to classic Outlook with the toggle at the top right to export a PST. A tool that reads your mailbox directly also works.
Can I upload Outlook emails to Drive automatically?
Yes. Install Drive for desktop, then drag emails or drop your PST into the Google Drive folder it creates. Everything in that folder uploads and stays in sync.
Will a large PST fit in my free Google Drive?
Free Google storage is 15 GB shared across Drive, Gmail and Photos, so a big PST can fill it. Split the export into smaller date ranges or clear space first.
Does uploading to Drive remove the mail from Outlook?
No. Exporting and uploading only copy the mail. Your Outlook account and its messages stay exactly as they are.