How to Convert from OST to PST File

Summary: This blog explains the free methods to convert from OST to PST file format. We also discussed a professional OST to PST Converter software to convert OST to Outlook PST file, which helps you when free methods fail to convert your OST file.  

If you are looking for the right way to convert OST to PST format, yes, then your search will be successful here, and you will get an efficient solution. This article is a complete guide to convert an OST file to PST in Outlook. Before going straight to the solution, you should know what OST and PST files are.

OST and PST files at a Glance

OST file is an offline file folder in Microsoft Outlook, and this makes it possible for users to work offline and then synchronize changes with Exchange Server the next time they connect. In comparison, PST is an open proprietary file format known as Personal Folder file used to store copies of messages, calendar events, and other items within Microsoft Application like the Microsoft Exchange client and Microsoft Outlook.

What is the difference between OST and PST files?

OST is an offline folder created by Microsoft Outlook and servers to store offline copies of data. At the same time, PST is a personal storage table created by Outlook used to keep emails in the Outlook application. Users build it to store email, contacts, and calendar entries, among other things. PST files are ideal for backup as they can be stored anywhere and transferred from one machine to another.

• OST files are automatically synchronized with the email server as long as you have an Internet connection, but PST does not enable you to do so.
• OST files are compatible exclusively with Microsoft Exchange Server, but PST files are also compatible with other services.
• Until Microsoft Outlook 2013, PST files were also used for IMAP or MAPI accounts. However, starting with Outlook 2016, the client stores all your emails and appointments from IMAP and MAPI accounts in an offline storage table (.ost) file.

Why do we need to convert OST files to PST format?

Every user may have different situations to convert Exchange IMAP .ost to .pst. Some of the major reasons are discussed below:

• When a few exchange mailbox gets deleted from the server.
• An exchange user wants to rebuild his OST file, but he has some unsaved data in the OST file.
• When they want to back up a few exchange mailboxes, OST files are inaccessible due to Exchange corruption, or maybe the server crashed, and users want their emails urgently.
• In some cases, due to Exchange Server maintenance and downtime, accessing mailbox data becomes very challenging. The mailbox data is saved with the .ost extension created after synchronizing with the Exchange server and is inaccessible. To access OST mailboxes, the user needs to convert OST to PST file format.

Methods to Convert Offline Folder (OST) File to Personal Folder (PST) File

There are multiple methods to convert OST files into PST. Some of the manual techniques are as follows:

Method #1: Archiving

Outlook email client offers archiving data by moving the OST mailbox folders to PST file format. It can convert all the items of the OST mailbox to PST format. This feature does not archive contacts however it allows you to move other mailbox items.

Follow the below steps to converts an OST file to PST:

1. Firstly, start the MS Outlook, then open the OST file from phenotype data to be exported.
2. Click on the File tab -> Click on Info -> and then click on Cleanup tools.
3. Now select Archive from the option.
4. In the dialog box that appears, make sure that Archive this folder and all subfolders option is selected.
5. Select the folder that you need to export to PST.
6. In the Archive items older than the box, provide an appropriate date. All the email items that were received earlier till the specified date will be archived.
7. Now, provide the destination path for the new PST file under the option: Archive File.
8. Then click on Ok to accomplish the export process.

Method #2: Export Mailbox as a PST file

You need to log in to Outlook with the exchange account you used to create the OST file.

Convert OST to PST for Outlook

• Go to Files -> Click on Open & Export -> Then click Import & Export.
• Now select Export to a File, then click Next.
  
• Select the option Outlook data file (.pst) and click on Next.
• Now, select the folder which you want to export and click on Next.
• Browse the location where you want to save your new PST file and select accordingly regarding duplicate items.

Note: All these manual techniques may convert OST files into PST format in Outlook, but these methods are time-consuming for users; therefore, you need to try the professional tool that can surely do the conversion without any data loss.

Method to Change OST to PST without Exchange Server Connectivity or Profile

Aryson OST to PST Converter is a professional tool that can swiftly convert OST files into PST format without Exchange connectivity or profile. It is capable of repairing your Offline Exchange OST file and can export all mailbox items into MS Outlook PST, EML, PDF, MBOX, HTML, and MSG formats. You can also import OST to Office 365 & Live Exchange Server using this software with ease. It lets users convert normal and corrupt OST files and create a full conversion process LOG file. You must try the free demo version of this software.

Convert OST to PST with the following steps:

• Step 1: Downloadand Install Aryson OST to PST Converter.
• Step 2: Run as administrator and click the browse
• Step 3: Select the filethat you need to convert.
• Step 4: After that, previewthe OST file email with attachments.
• Step 5: Tick the folder from the tree structure. Click next.
• Step 6: Here, choose the PST saving formats from the displayed dropdown.
• Step 7: Select the in-built software features.
• Step 8: Click on the path to savebutton and choose the saving location.
• Step 9:At last, tap the convert button to start the conversion.
• Step 10:The conversion process is completed and saved at the chosen path.

Conclusion

Above, I have mentioned the free methods to convert OST to PST format in Outlook, and there is a possibility that manual processes do not fulfill your expectation. In such a case, I recommend you to go for OST to PST converter tool as this will surely help you out. Hope this article helps to resolve your problem.

If you are confused while converting OST to PST, you can watch our online video tutorial, which will help you perform OST Conversion easily.

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