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Question

MS Outlook alternative (FREE)

Dec 11, 2013 4:50AM PST

I've been using Outlook from Microsoft Office 2003 since shortly after it became available. This wasn't by choice rather my employer expected it. When I retired a few years ago I copied the PST file to continue using Outlook at home. Although I currently have no problems with Outlook 2003 (other than the upgrade price is outrageous) I'm wondering if there is a better alternative that meets the following specifications.

1. It MUST be FREE.
2. It MUST have the following options of Outlook: calendar, to-do list (tasks), contacts and e-mail.
3. It MUST be able to import the Outlook PST file flawlessly.

Am I being unrealistic? I figure these days there must be something that can replace it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
There is no such thing.
Dec 11, 2013 4:56AM PST

The 3rd item was such a high hurdle that, well, excuse me but that would be like trying to find a winged unicorn.

I'm using Oulook 2003 with that required Office Service Pack on Windows 8 64 bit so why would we change?
Bob

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Answer
Alternatives
Dec 12, 2013 8:18PM PST

The best I've found is EssentialPIM which sucks in a PST file without any problems. They have a free and paid version. The free version does everything I did in Outlook. The paid version has some advanced features that I'm not that interested in.
http://essentialpim.com

Also, look at Zimbra Desktop. There are workarounds to import a PST file. Check out their forum for solutions.
http://www.zimbra.com/products/desktop.html

I also read a bit about Evolution. It contains all the options you're looking for but not sure if it imports PST files.
https://projects.gnome.org/evolution/

Hope that helps.