Stellar Converter for NSF vs Alternatives: Which Is Best for You?

Top 5 Tips to Maximize Stellar Converter for NSF PerformanceStellar Converter for NSF is a widely used tool for converting IBM Lotus Notes/Domino .nsf files into Outlook-compatible PST files. Whether you’re migrating mailboxes, extracting data for archives, or doing periodic conversions, getting the best performance from the tool saves time and reduces the risk of errors. Below are five practical, tested tips to maximize conversion speed, reliability, and accuracy.

1. Prepare and Optimize Source NSF Files

Large, fragmented, or corrupt NSF files slow conversions and increase the chance of errors.

• Compact and fix databases before converting. Use Lotus Notes’ Database > Properties > Other > Compact or run the Compact task on the Domino server.
• Use the Fixup and Updall utilities on the Domino server for databases that show errors or index problems.
• Remove unnecessary or obsolete NSF files and archive old mail to smaller NSF files to reduce conversion scope.
• If the NSF includes many large attachments, consider extracting or compressing seldom-used attachments ahead of conversion.

These steps reduce I/O overhead and make the converter process leaner.

2. Work on a Fast, Stable System Environment

Conversion performance depends heavily on the machine’s hardware and system load.

• Run conversions on a machine with an SSD rather than HDD for faster read/write operations.
• Ensure the system has sufficient RAM; more memory helps when processing large mailboxes.
• Close unnecessary applications and services during conversion to maximize CPU and disk throughput.
• If converting multiple NSF files, use a dedicated conversion server or workstation to avoid interruptions and resource contention.

A stable environment minimizes timeouts and reduces the risk of partial or failed conversions.

3. Use Batch Conversion Wisely

Stellar Converter for NSF supports converting multiple NSF files. Done correctly, batch conversion saves time; done poorly, it can overload the system.

• Group similar-sized or similarly structured NSF files in a single batch so the work is balanced.
• Limit batch sizes when working on a single machine—start with smaller batches (e.g., 5–10 files) and increase once you confirm stability and performance.
• Monitor system resources during an initial run to find the optimal batch size for your hardware.
• For very large migrations, consider scheduled batch runs during off-peak hours.

Batching reduces manual effort while keeping performance predictable.

4. Configure Conversion Options for Speed and Relevance

Stellar Converter for NSF provides options that affect conversion breadth and depth. Tuning these saves time.

• Use selective conversion to exclude calendar items, large attachments, or specific folders you don’t need, reducing processing time.
• If you only need emails, choose mailbox-only conversion modes when available.
• Disable generation of additional logs or detailed reports unless troubleshooting; detailed logging adds I/O overhead.
• Use the latest version of the software; performance improvements and optimizations are commonly released.

Choosing only what you need during conversion directly reduces runtime.

5. Validate and Post-process Efficiently

A quick, targeted validation and sensible post-processing reduce rework and maximize effective throughput.

• After conversion, spot-check several mailboxes and item types (emails, attachments, calendars, contacts) instead of full manual inspection.
• Use automated integrity checks or built-in verification tools the converter provides to confirm completeness.
• If you plan to import PSTs into Outlook or Exchange, import smaller PSTs progressively rather than one giant file to prevent client-side timeouts or profile corruption.
• Keep a consistent naming and storage convention for converted PSTs so locating and reprocessing files (if needed) is straightforward.

Efficient validation reduces downtime from fixes and reruns.

Conclusion

Maximizing performance with Stellar Converter for NSF is about preparation, environment, smart batching, purposeful configuration, and efficient verification. Key checklist:

• Compact and repair NSF files first.
• Use an SSD and ample RAM; minimize system load.
• Batch similar files and limit batch sizes per hardware capacity.
• Select only necessary items and disable verbose logging.
• Spot-check conversions and import PSTs incrementally.

Following these five tips will shorten conversion times, improve reliability, and make large migrations more predictable.