How to Export Yahoo to PST File – Complete Guide

Migrating from Yahoo Mail to Microsoft Outlook? Or just want to create a secure local backup of your emails? Exporting your Yahoo emails to a PST file is the ideal solution. A PST (Personal Storage Table) file is the standard format used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, contacts, calendars, and more.
This guide will walk you through how to export Yahoo to PST file using both manual and automated methods—no technical expertise required.
Why Export Yahoo Emails to PST?
There are many reasons why users need to convert Yahoo to PST:
✔️ Offline access to important emails via Outlook
✔️ Creating a secure backup of your Yahoo account
✔️ Switching from Yahoo Mail to Outlook or another desktop-based email client
✔️ Archiving emails for business, legal, or compliance purposes
Method 1: Manual Export via Outlook (IMAP Configuration)
You can configure your Yahoo account in Microsoft Outlook using IMAP and then export the mailbox to a PST file.
Steps:
Enable IMAP in Yahoo Mail
Log in to Yahoo Mail
Go to Settings > More Settings > Mailboxes
Ensure IMAP is enabled
Generate an App Password (if using 2-step verification)
Visit: Yahoo App Passwords
Generate a new app password for Outlook login
Add Yahoo Account in Outlook
Open Microsoft Outlook
Go to File > Add Account
Enter your Yahoo email and use the app password to connect
Sync Yahoo Emails in Outlook
- Outlook will download all your Yahoo folders and emails
Export Yahoo Mail to PST File
Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export
Select Export to a file > Outlook Data File (.pst)
Choose the Yahoo folders to export and save the PST file
Limitations:
Time-consuming for large mailboxes
May result in syncing errors
Requires stable internet connection and manual effort
Method 2: Use a Yahoo Backup Tool (Recommended)
The easiest and most efficient way to export Yahoo to PST is by using a Yahoo Backup Tool. This method is beginner-friendly, quick, and offers full control over your data.
Benefits of Using a Yahoo Backup Tool:
Directly exports Yahoo emails to PST without Outlook configuration
Preserves folder hierarchy and original formatting
Allows selective backup using filters (date, subject, sender)
Supports batch export and includes attachments
Works offline once configured
How to Use the Yahoo Backup Tool:
Download and Install a reliable Yahoo Backup Tool
Log in using your Yahoo credentials or app password
Select PST as the export format
Apply filters if needed (optional)
Choose destination folder and click Start Backup
Security Note:
Always use software from trusted sources. Modern backup tools use secure authentication methods and never store your passwords.
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