Two Free Methods to Convert OST to PST File
Read time 9 minutes
Cached Exchange mode was introduced by Microsoft to overcome the difficulties like Exchange downtime and unavailability.
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. The changes made by the user in the offline mode are later updated to the server mailbox when the Exchange connection is re-established. As the OST file resides on the user’s computer, it is unaffected by Exchange Server crashes and disasters, Exchange mailbox deletions, etc. So, Exchange administrators and end-users can use OST files to restore user mailbox data on the occasions of such eventualities.
Here are some situations when converting an OST to PST files becomes very helpful:
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
- EDB files are inaccessible due to Exchange corruption, Server crash, etc. but users want their emails urgently
- To re-establish email communication during Exchange downtime or unavailability
Instant Solution
Try automated tool Kernel for OST to PST Converter to Convert OST File to PST, EML, MSG, Office 365, and Exchange.
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:
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 file 5. 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.
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 6. 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
The blog has proposed and explained different ways to convert OST files to PST files such as archiving OST files, exporting OST files to PST with Import/Export function in Outlook, and quick, efficient, automated conversion via a professional OST Conversion tool. This conversion is helpful in multiple situations including when the server is crashed or has become unavailable. With this tool, you can fetch the OST data very easily.
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.
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 to PST.
I tried your tool and it was able to convert OST file! Superb 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.
I found this article very helpful to convert OST file to PST formats. I used above mentioned free methods to convert OST file and it worked for me. Thank you for sharing such an informative article.
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I have used “Export mailbox as a PST file” method to convert OST file in PST formats. I am pleased to inform you that it worked very smoothly and did what I am looking for. Thank you for sharing such an amazing article.
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I have used ‘Archiving’ to save OST emails to PST method and it worked for me. Thank you very much for sharing such an informative article.
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