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Do you want to import OST files in Outlook but don’t know the proper ways? Don’t worry; this write-up will assist you in importing OST files into Outlook through manual methods and an automated solution.
As per the official statement from Microsoft – ‘we can’t move Ost files directly to Outlook.’ If you want to do it, then either configure Outlook and connect it with a server to create a new OST file or convert the OST to PST using a third-party converter tool.
In this blog, we will look at unavoidable reasons to import OST files into Outlook and methods for importing them. At last, we also talk about a professional OST to PST converter tool to effectively convert OST file to PST file and recover corrupt OST files.
But before moving further, let’s briefly discuss OST files.
OST means Offline Storage table, also known as Offline Outlook Data File. It is automatically created by Outlook when you create an account on it and configure it with Exchange Server. It saves a synchronized copy of your mailbox to your local drive and allows you to access emails, contacts, calendars, notes, appointments, etc., even in offline mode.
Undoubtedly, OST files are crucial for Outlook users, but you need to import OST files into Outlook in a few instances. Let’s have a look at such instances:
Before importing your OST files into Outlook, it is important to know where it is stored. Follow the below steps to locate your OST file:
Before moving to the importing part, we need to understand that you can import the Exchange OST file using manual methods but can’t do so with the Orphaned OST file. Now, let’s discuss manual methods to import OST files.
This method allows you to regularly archive old mails from OST files into PST format. Follow the below steps to do it:
It’s an in-built Outlook tool that migrates Outlook messages, items, tasks, notes, etc., from one system to another. Follow the below steps to do it:
You can use both these manual methods to import OST files into Outlook but ensure the OST file is connected to an Exchange Server before doing so. Both these methods are easy to use but have a few limitations because of which users rarely consider them.
Let’s have a look at a few limitations of the manual methods:
So, it’s time to move to an automated professional tool recommended by Microsoft MVPs and IT administrators to efficiently import OST files into Outlook and fix issues like oversized OST file issue in Outlook.
With too many limitations and the inability to repair corrupt OST files, we can’t rely on manual methods to import OST files. At this moment, we suggest you go with a best OST to PST converter tool named Kernel for OST to PST Converter. It is a reliable, safe, and efficient tool to convert inaccessible or orphaned files, retrieve OST items like emails, attachments, calendars, contacts, tasks, etc., and save them to Outlook PST or Office 365/Exchange Server accounts. It comes with several advanced features; some of them are:
I hope this blog helps you get information about OST files, where they are stored, and how to import OST files into Outlook. Undoubtedly, manual methods will help you import OST files if they are connected to Exchange Server. Otherwise, we suggest you use an automated OST to PST converter tool we discussed last. It will help you in importing OST files to Outlook quickly and efficiently. Use its free trial version for a better understanding of the tool.