How to Export Public Folders to PST – Expert Guide

Written By Loic Traves
Approved By Mithilesh Tata
Publish on February 17th, 2026
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Summary: Are you searching for a reliable way to export Public Folders to PST without any data loss? Most of the administrators find it difficult to choose a solution that is efficient and capable of handling large public folder mailboxes. In this blog, we will discuss the most effective methods and how a professional Office 365 Backup Tool can make the export process simple.

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What is a Public Folder?

A Public Folder is a shared feature in Microsoft Exchange and Office 365 that helps teams to store and access common data, such as emails. It provides a centralised space where multiple users can collaborate while administrators can manage the access permissions. Also, organisations can organise the shared information efficiently without creating any duplicate copies.

Why Do Users Need to Export Public Folder Mailbox to PST?

In this section, we will discuss the common reasons why organisations choose to export their Public Folder to PST.

To create a secure local backup of important shared emails and data.
When users have to migrate Public Folder data to another Exchange.
In order to archive inactive Public Folder content for storage management.
Moreover, to meet compliance, legal, or audit requirements.
To reduce server load by removing outdated data from live public folders.
Also, when you have to share Public Folder data offline.

Note: Before the process of export, you should always verify folder permissions and make sure to have sufficient storage space to avoid any issues.

How to Export Public Folders to PST?

The most commonly used methods are given below, and choose the one that helps you according to your requirements.

Using Microsoft Outlook (Manual Method)

Using a Professional Backup & Restore Tool

Solution 01: Manual Approach to Save Public Folder emails to PST

The manual technique uses Microsoft Outlook to export the Public Folder data into a PST file. It is appropriate for small-sized mailboxes and requires proper permission to access the public folders. Before you start the process of import, make sure that Office 365 is set up in Outlook and you have access to the public folders. Also, Outlook should be in Cached Exchange Mode.

Steps to Export Public Folders to Outlook PST Manually

Firstly, open Microsoft Outlook and sign in with an authorised account.
From the File menu, choose Open & Export, followed by Import/Export.
Now, from the wizard, pick Export to a file >> Next.
Next, tap Outlook Data File (.pst) as the export format >> Next.
Then, navigate to the Public Folders section and select the folder to export.
After that, if needed, check the option to Include subfolders >> Next.
Now, specify the location to store the PST file by pressing Browse.
Lastly, press Finish to export public folders from Office 365 to PST.

Limitations of the Manual Method

This approach requires a properly configured Microsoft Outlook installation.
It only works if the user has full access permissions to the public folders.
Subsequently, users are unable to export multiple Public Folders in bulk.
Moreover, this process can be slow for large mailbox sizes.
Also, users don’t receive advanced filters for selective data export.

Solution 02: Expert Approach to Export Public Folders to PST

Office 365 Backup & Restore Tool is one of the most recommended solutions that allows users to export their Public Folders to PST. This software lets you save public folders and user mailboxes into PST format without changing the data layout. Also, it has additional filter options to export only the necessary data and avoid any kind of unnecessary files. Also, from the same utility, you can simply migrate Office 365 to Outlook.com.

Guide to Export Public Folders from Office 365 to PST

First, open the Office 365 Backup Tool on your system >> Backup.

After that, you have to press Continue to proceed to the next step.

Then, sign in to your Office 365 account by entering the login details.

Now, you have to select the Public Folder >> Next to proceed further.

Next, pick the desired folders from the list >> preview them if required.

After that, you need to pick PST as the output format from the dropdown.

Then, you can apply any additional filters >> set the location for your file.

At the end, you have to press Backup to start the export process.

End Note

In conclusion, the process to export Public Folders to PST becomes manageable when you pick the appropriate approach. Based on your requirement, you can choose between the manual technique and the professional solution. The manual approach is helpful for smaller mailboxes and users with basic technical understanding. However, if you need better accuracy and speed, a reliable tool can be used for large Public Folder data and bulk. Also, for any kind of further assistance, our support team is available to help.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q.1 Can I export an entire Public Folder mailbox to PST?

Ans. Yes, you can export the complete Public Folder mailbox by using the Office 365 Backup & Restore Tool, which provides a reliable solution.

Q.2 How can I save Public Folder emails to PST individually?

Ans. You can manually select a specific Public Folder in Outlook and export it to PST. Alternatively, the professional tool allows you to choose particular folders or items before starting the export.

Q.3 How do I handle large Public Folder exports (over 50GB) to PST?

Ans. For large data (above 50GB), the manual method may fail or become slow. In such cases, using the professional tool is recommended, as it supports bulk exports, advanced filters, and better performance handling.

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About The Author:

Loic Traves

Loic Traves is a seasoned technical expert who has helped thousands of clients with Microsoft Outlook and various cloud-based email platforms. He enjoys writing about email client backups and migration processes. Passionate about supporting users in need, he strives to provide the latest insights, clear explanations, and practical, user-friendly solutions.