Two Free Methods to Convert OST to PST File
Read time 9 minutes
To counter several difficulties related to the downtime in the Exchange Server when the database is not available when the user tries to open their account, Microsoft had designed Cached Exchange mode in which the mailbox is accessible in each situation.
Microsoft Outlook, in the offline (Cached Exchange) mode, saves all the Exchange mailbox data in a local file named OST file or Offline Outlook Data file. OST files are the replica of your Exchange mailbox on your local computer. When you are working in offline mode, Outlook uses OST files to store data. However, sometimes these files can become corrupt or unusable. In this case, you need to convert them into PST files so that you can continue using them.
Thus, OST to PST conversion is a popular process for Microsoft Outlook users. The need even arises when an Outlook user needs to access an OST file on a different computer or format it for use in another email client. Fortunately, there are two methods available that are free and easy to use. This blog post will outline the steps for using each method.
Instant Solution
Try the automated tool Kernel for OST to PST Converter to Convert OST File to PST, EML, MSG, Office 365, and Exchange.
Some beneficial scenarios to convert OST to PST files are here
OST files contain unsaved user mailbox data. So, they are useful in situations like:
- A few user mailboxes get deleted from the Exchange server
- Want to back up a few Exchange mailboxes (before the deletion of mailboxes)
- An Exchange user wants to rebuild his corrupt OST file, but the user has some unsaved data in the OST file
- The Exchange accounts are inaccessible due to corruption, but users want their emails urgently.
- To re-establish email communication during Exchange downtime or unavailability
- If you’re switching from one email client to another and your new email client doesn’t support OST files, you’ll need to convert the OST to PST in order to access your old emails.
- If your email account has been corrupted and you can no longer access it. In this case, converting the OST to PST will allow you to access your old emails and potentially recover any lost data.
There are multiple methods to convert any OST file into PST, provided you can log in to Outlook with the same Exchange profile. Some native methods to convert OST to PST are presented here:
- Export mailbox data to PST
- Archive OST emails
- Use ‘drag-&-drop’ method to move limited data
- Convert OST to PST using a professional tool
Method 1: Export mailbox as a PST file
Login to Outlook with the Exchange account that was used to create the OST files. And to export the OST mailboxes to PST, follow the simple procedure as given here:
- Go to Files >Open & Export and click Import & Export.
- Select Export to a file; then click Next.
- Select the second option—Outlook Data File (.pst)—and click Next.
- Select the folder(s) which you want to export and click Next.
- Browse the location where you want to save the new PST files and choose an option regarding the duplicate items.
Note: You have the option to include subfolders as well.
Note: There is an optional choice to provide a password to the PST file, but you can easily move ahead without choosing it.
Method 2: Use ‘Archiving’ to save OST emails to PST
By enabling the Auto Archive method in Outlook, you will be able to save the items of the OST file in a separate PST file. This method helps you to keep the size of your mailbox manageable. When there are many older messages and you do not require them in the mailbox, you can put them in the archive folder easily. This will reduce the size of the mailbox. Follow the simple steps to enable auto archiving in Outlook.
- Launch the Outlook application, go to File and click Options.
- Go to Advanced and click Auto Archive Settings.
- Now select the number of days in which you want to run auto archiving. Select the folder to save the archived file; also, provide the archiving options and finally click OK.
With this, mailbox items from your OST file will be saved to the PST file as per your archiving settings.
Method-3: Use ‘drag-&-drop’ method to move limited data.
If you want to move only a selected data from your Outlook account, then you can create another data file in Outlook and drag-&-drop data from other accounts. If the size of your OST file has reached to its maximum size limit, then you can transfer data to another file and lower the data file size.
- First, create a new data file in Outlook. Click New Email and expand More Items. Choose Outlook Data File.
- Choose Outlook data file (.pst) and click OK.
- Save the PST file in an accessible folder and a new data file is created. Then, you can select some data from older account and try to drop in the new account. It will ask that if you want to move the folder inside the new account. Click Yes.
The data will be moved quickly, and you can access new content there.
Convert OST to PST without Exchange profile or server connectivity
Kernel for OST to PST Converter is a professional tool that can freely convert 25 items from each OST folder to PST. Its advantage is that it can convert offline OST files to PST without an Exchange profile or Exchange Server connectivity. It has a highly user-friendly interface that lets the user select OST file(s), recover items including the deleted ones, and convert them to PST format. Also, it can convert multiple OST files to PST at a time. Let’s see the working of the tool:
- Open the OST to PST tool. It will open a wizard to select single or multiple OST files. Select the OST file from its location.
- When the tool displays the OST file content, you can choose a folder and view its content in the preview pane. To convert the OST file into PST, click the Save option on the toolbar.
- To save in PST, click PST file (MS Outlook) as the Output type.
- Select and apply the required filters – From, To, Subject, Folder Name, Item Type, and Date range
- You have the option to split the PST file after a certain size. Provide the required details.
- Browse the destination and provide the required details. Lastly, click Finish.
- When the conversion is complete, the tool shows a message showing the PST file name and its location.
You can manually convert OST to PST files only when you are using Outlook with the original Exchange account. But the software converts even inaccessible OST files into PST format without the original Exchange profile and Exchange Server connectivity. It can convert OST files created by webmail (IMAP) accounts too. Also, it provides many advanced filtering and saving options.
Conclusion
So, these are the two methods by which you can convert your OST file to PST. The first method is more user-friendly and does not require any additional software, but it is a little time-consuming. The second method is a bit complex, but it is faster than the first one. You can choose the method that suits you better depending on your needs and preferences, but you must try our recommended OST to PST Tool to get the simplest resolution.
The tool has a simple user interface that makes it easy for even non-technical users to convert their files. The free trial version of the software allows users to evaluate its features and performance before making a purchase.
FAQ
A. The functional process of software is the same for repairing either a single or multiple OST files, and it gives a clean preview also. But the saving process is different as per the chosen destination by the user-
1. In the software’s Home Screen, click the Browse option to select the OST files.
2. Choose the OST file from its saving location where it has resided.
3. Start Scanning the software after selecting the files.
4. Check the recovered items in preview mode. You can choose any item, and its preview will come up automatically.
5. Choose the destination and apply the filters using the destination file.
6. Choose the saving folder for the destination file.
A. Yes, it does. It can easily convert OST files of any size to a PST file without file size limitations. While saving, the tool allows you to specify a size after which a PST file will be split, making it easier to manage.
A. The software scans your file and performs a simple recovery of the whole data without affecting the integrity of the file. This tool will keep all the mailbox properties and hierarchy intact after PST conversion.
A. Yes, you can convert OST to MBOX file, by using OST to PST Converter software. It also gives the option to save the converted OST file in DBX, MSG, EML, TXT, RTF, HTML, XHTML, & PDF.
A. Yes, you can easily repair corrupted or inaccessible OST file, by using this OST to PST tool. The tool helps you to repair badly damaged OST files immediately prior to conversion.
A. Yes, you can directly export OST file in Office 365, by using this OST to PST conversion software. There are no complicated steps involved in this process.
A. You can easily transfer OST from one computer to another computer, but you can’t access, read, or import a transferred OST file in any Outlook profile. The OST to PST converter software can help you to transfer or import the OST files in different Outlook profile on a new computer or same one.
A. In Outlook 2016 and Outlook for Microsoft 365, IMAP accounts use OST file. You can also use a PST file to backup or export items from any type of email account. To export OST files in PST formats, you can use OST to PST converter software.
A. When synchronization between OST and Exchange Server breaks, then there is a need of exporting OST to Live Exchange. You can export OST files to Live Exchange with the help of OST to PST conversion tool.
A. Accounts which do not have an associated mailbox profile on Exchange, are not saved in the OST files. Actually, OST file is a cache of mailbox on server and it is the reason that OST file cant be opened without Exchange and an associated profile. You require an OST to PST conversion software for it.
A. You cannot directly merge OST and PST files. To merge them, you should convert OST format to PST and then merge those PST files. It will be easier to manage merging of multiple files that belong to same PST formats.
Watch Video: To View the complete process of OST to PST files Conversion
Thanks for providing such an excellent guidance, to convert OST files to PST. I have tried the free version of the given software and it works very well in all conditions.
Nice guide for error free conversion of OST files to PST. It’s really helpful for me. I am also thankful to the customer support team, which is active for 24 hours.
Hi
can i convert with that a very large file for free ?
Yes, you can use the Import/Export method to convert large OST files. But it may be time consuming. We recommend using Kernel for OST conversion tool.
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Each destination file has different filters depending on the selected output mode. When I chose to save in PST, then I divided the OST file into multiple files with 2 GB each.
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