MS Exchange supports OST (Offline Storage Table) file format to store all its mailbox items. Users can work easily even in the offline mode on the OST file. The changes made by the user will get updated automatically when the Exchange server connection is re-established.
However, there are numerous reasons for which many users want to convert OST to PST file format. PST (Personal Storage Table) file format is supported by MS Outlook to store all the Outlook data. Microsoft Outlook provides several amazing features for its users which attracts users. The inaccessible OST files require troubleshooting to regain access to the data in the system. Many users find it difficult to convert OST files to PST format. So, he will provide you the perfect and most recommended solutions for conversion. In this article, we will discuss both manuals as well as professional OST to PST converter solutions.
Before moving further, let’s first understand what the reasons for this conversion are.
Reasons to Import OST File to Outlook PST Format
Here we have mentioned some of the common reasons for which users want to convert OST to PST file format.
1. Accidental Deletion of the Exchange Server Account – If the user accidentally deleted the Exchange server account and lost all the important data. Then the user can recover the data by exporting OST files to PST.
2. If the Exchange Server gets crashed – Users may lose the connectivity to the Exchange server if it faces an unusual system crash, failure, or virus attacks. These situations can impact your work and become difficult to handle.
3. Backup Exchange Mailboxes – By converting OST files to PST file format, users can easily create a backup of a few Exchange mailboxes.
4. Exchange Server Maintenance – When the Exchange server is under maintenance, it becomes difficult to access the corrupt mailbox items.
5. OST Data Migration – If the user is trying to transfer all their data from one system to another computer system using MS Outlook, then the user needs to transfer OST files to PST file format.
These are some of the common reasons for which users want to import OST file to Outlook PST file format. Now, let’s move further to the manual approach for OST to PST conversion. Before starting the process, I would suggest creating a backup of the original file in your system as there is a risk of human error which can lead to severe data loss.
Free Methods to Convert OST to PST File
Manual Technique to Convert OST to PST File Format
You can use the manual solution to migrate OST to PST file format. However, it would be suggested to create a copy of the original file before starting the process as there might be a risk of data loss. Follow the below steps to perform the conversion.
Method 1: Import/ Export Method
- Launch Microsoft Outlook application.
- Go to the File tab
- Select the Import/Export option.
- Click on Export to a file
- Hit the Next button
- Now select Personal file folder (.pst)
- Click on the Next button.
- Go to the parent root and then click on the Include Subfolders option.
- Click on the browse button to define the location of the resultant file.
- In the end, hit the Finish button.
Method 2: Drag and Drop
Here you need to create a new PST file and then drag all the OST files you want to convert and drop them to the newly created PST file.
- Open MS Outlook program.
- Now you need to create a new PST file in the Outlook profile.
- Select all the OST mailbox data that you want to export and then drop them to the new PST file that you have created.
Method 3: Use of Outlook Archive Feature
When you enable the archiving feature in MS Outlook, the Outlook emails will get saved into the PST file format. To enable the feature, follow the below steps –
- Launch MS Outlook application.
- Go to the File tab.
- Click on the Options.
- Now, go to the advanced section.
- Click on Auto Archive settings…
- Now, you can select the number of days for which you want to run the auto-archiving.
- Browse to define the path to save the resultant archived file.
- Click on the OK button.
The OST mailbox data will be automatically saved into the PST file format as per your archiving settings.
Limitations
- More complex and time-consuming process.
- Unable to convert the corrupt OST files.
- Technical knowledge is required.
- Continuous risk of data loss during the conversion process.
Above, we have discussed the manual technique to export OST to PST file format and also the limitations using the manual steps. To avoid such limitations, you can use the third-party paid automated OST to PST converter tools which provides a safe and accurate conversion without any hassle.
Automated Solution to Convert OST to PST
If you are searching for a alternate solution to convert OST files to PST format, other than free, then you can use OST to PST Converter tools available in the market. The third-party professional solution provides ease to the users for OST to PST conversion. Simple steps that users can follow to convert single or multiple OST files to PST format.
- Launch OST to PST Converter in your system.
- Click on the open button and choose the OST file that you want to migrate.
- You can also use the auto-search option if you are not sure where the required OST file is. Click on “handle alignment errors in OST file”.
- Choose the conversion mode i.e, Standard mode, advanced mode, and Deep mode. Then click on the OK button.
- Once the scanning process gets completed, hit the OK button.
- Now from the scanned data, select OST emails that you want to convert. Click on the Save button.
- Click on browse to define the path to save the resultant file.
- Choose to save as PST option in the select Outlook data window. You can also use the Date Range option to filter your data.
- Click on the OK button.
These are the simple steps that users can follow using the advanced third-party solution. It also provides several amazing features that simplify the process of conversion.
Wrapping Up
In this article, we have discussed how users can easily convert OST to PST file format. We have discussed the most reliable and recommended methods both manual as well as the automated solution for the conversion. It can now be concluded that there are some limitations to the manual process of conversion. So, it is suggested to use the third-party OST to PST converter solution for quick and effortless conversion.
Read More: Free Ways to Convert OLM to PST File
