OST and PST files are two different Outlook data files used to store email messages and other mailbox content. If you’re using only Outlook client on your desktop, PST aka personal storage table stores your mailbox. On the other hand, if Outlook profile is connected to Exchange Server, OST aka offline storage table is created on local system to store mailbox. Sometimes a situation may arise when you need to convert OST to PST format.
Microsoft Exchange Server enables users to work in an offline mode when they are not connected with the Server. For that, an OST file is created on a local system. An OST file can be accessed with Microsoft Outlook. But make sure that you are using the same system which was used to create the OST file earlier.
Why OST to PST?
Think you’re working in an organization where you and your colleagues are connected with an Exchange Server. One day you find that the Exchange Server of the company is crashed. It goes for maintenance. Until the maintenance gets over, you are no longer a part of Exchange Server and you can’t even access your mailbox. Though you can work in offline mode, but you can’t synchronize your changes to the Server. There are numerous other reasons due to which the need of OST to PST conversion arises.
How to convert OST to PST manually?
Though professional users and experts always recommend OST to PST Converter tool for converting OST to PST format, but we can try a couple of manual tricks first. The manual tricks are easy, effective, and they don’t require any cost unlike paid software. MS Outlook client supports few built-in features and functions which can be used to import mailbox from OST files to new PST files. Here I’ll show how to use Outlook’s Import feature for transferring OST file’s data to new PST file. Follow the steps listed below:
Step 1: First of all, launch Microsoft Outlook client on your system.
Step 2: Now go to the File menu on top side, click Open > Import.
Step 3: The Import and Export Wizard will be appeared on your screen. Now choose an action which you want to perform, Export to a file. Click Next to continue the process.
Step 4: You need to select Outlook data file (.pst) in the list. Click Next again.
Step 5: Now select the mailbox folder from which you want to export mailbox. Also, you may include the subfolders. Click Next again.
Step 6: Define a location on your system where you want to save the new PST file. You may also define other options given there. Click Finish to start the actual process.
Step 7: Wait until the process gets successfully completed. Once done, check the new PST file on the defined location.
Before you can perform the above manual trick, you must remember the things listed below:
Things to Remember
- Make sure your Outlook profile is configured with Exchange Server. Also, you should be connected with Exchange Server while importing OST mailbox to new PST file.
- Make sure you’re using the same computer system in which the OST file was originally created.
- Keep a new Outlook data file in PST format ready in which you can import OST mailbox data.
- Make sure the OST file you’re using is valid, i.e. not corrupted. If the OST file is corrupt, you can’t open the file.
If any of the above requirement is missing or not available, you just can’t perform the manual trick. In such situation, you have to look forward to a professional OST to PST Converter utility. Download free demo version of OST Recovery tool that works as a OST Recovery cum Converter tool. Software is programmed to support normal as well as corrupt OST files. If OST files are corrupt, this tool will first scan the files, and then restore the mailbox data from them. After that, users can save the recovered data into a new PST file.
