How to Open PST File from External Hard Drive for Free?

Admin ~ May 16, 2025 ~ 5 Minutes Reading

Are you willing to discover how to open PST file from external hard drive? If yes, this technical column will guide you in detail on overcoming your problem. In this blog, we will discuss the use cases to access Outlook files from external source. Secondly, we will cover the common methods available to solve the problem. Additionally, we will look for a step-by-step working guide of a free solution available on the globe to open Outlook files from external hard drive. So, are you folks excited to read this knowledge-filled article? Let us get started.

Common Use Cases to Access PST Files from an External Drive

  • For Forensic Investigation: During a crime or legal investigation forensics analyst may be required to open Outlook files from external hard drive for investigation purposes.
  • For Accessing Backed Up Data: Sometimes, users have the backup data of their Outlook communication in PST format. To access some important information from the backup, users need to access Outlook files from external storage drives.
  • Access Outlook Data After System Crash: There are situations when users go through a system crash. But thankfully, they have a copy of their data on an external drive. In such times, to overcome such a disaster, users need to open Outlook files from external hard drive.
  • Sharing Outlook Data with Someone Else: Another common use case to access Outlook files from external drives is for sharing purposes. If you have shared your Outlook data file through a USB or external hard drive. Then, the person who needs to open the Outlook files must know how to open PST files from external hard drives.

Free DIY Techniques to Open Outlook Files from External Hard Drive

If you are looking for a free technique to access Outlook data files from external sources without using any standalone solution. Then, as the first approach, you can use the Outlook import/export wizard if you are an Outlook user. Secondly, you may use the GWMMO free tool offered by Google to import PST to Gmail. Using this approach, one can easily access Outlook files from an external hard drive via Gmail. Now, let us cover the working guide for both do-it-yourself techniques.

#1: Access PST files in Outlook Using Import/Export Wizard

  1. First, run the Outlook application on your PC.
  2. Next, click on Open & export > Open Outlook data file.
  3. Then, go to the external drive folder and select the PST file you need to open.
  4. Finally, following these steps user can open PST file from external hard drive via Outlook.

Pros: Ideal for users who are already familiar with Outlook.
Cons: Requires Outlook to be installed and configured on your system.

#2: Access Outlook Files in Gmail Using the GWSMO Free Tool

  1. First, install and run the GWSMO tool for the official Google site.
  2. Next, log in to the tool with your Gmail account.
  3. After that, click on the select files needed to load Outlook files.
  4. Now, enable the items that need to Open from external hard drive.
  5. Then, click on the Migrate button to complete the process.
  6. Lastly, open your Gmail account to open Outlook files via the Gmail account.

Pros: Permanently moves data to Gmail, users can access PST file data anytime.
Cons: It is a time-consuming process that can take up to 3 days, depending on your Outlook file data.

Most Secure Approach to Open Outlook Files from External Hard Drive

In view of the limitations of both the DIY solution. As an easy solution, one can use the free Jagware PST Viewer application. This is a free solution offered by Jagware Software as a secure, offline desktop-based utility. Users can use this solution to access Outlook files from external hard drive for free without any file size limitations. To use the free solution, follow the steps below, guided steps attached with respective screenshots.

#3: How to Open PST Files from External Hard Drive?

  1. First, install and run the free solution on your PC.PST File opener
  2. Next, click on the Add Files or Add Folder option.Click on Add files or folders
  3. Now, select the PST file from the external hard drive folder.Open Outlook PST File
  4. Lastly, click on the Open button to open Outlook data files from external storage devices.

Final Words

To summarize the above blog post on the topic of how to open PST file from external hard drive. We have started discussing the common needs to access Outlook files from external drives. Thereafter, we saw the step-by-step DIY ways to know how to open Outlook files from external drives. Finally, we saw the offline standalone soliton to overcome the problem that can eliminate the limitations of manual ways.
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