OST files are offline files that help users to store Exchange mailbox data and make it available to the users even when the Exchange server is not available. It provides a facility to the users to work offline with the messages and other mail data. And it is automatically synchronized with Exchange Server when the Internet connectivity is re-established.
Many times users need to access their essential contacts from Outlook OST file to PST when Exchange Server is down due to sync issue. However, many users don’t know how to perform the export process. Hence, here we are providing a step by step manual method to export Contacts from Outlook OST to PST.
Possible ways to export Contacts from Outlook OST to PST
We are discussing two possible ways to export Contacts from Outlook OST to PST.
- Manual method – Import/Export feature of MS Outlook
- Automated method – OST to PST Converter
Let’s discuss each one in detail:
Method 1: Export Contact from Outlook OST to PST using Import/Export feature
MS Outlook provides an Import/Export feature to extract Contacts from Outlook OST to PST. It only works when the users are connected to Exchange using their Exchange profile. Follow below steps to export Outlook Contacts to PST:
- Launch MS Outlook, Go to File>Open & Export and click on Import/Export. It will lead you to the Import and Export Wizard.
- In Import and Export Wizard, choose Export to a File and click on Next.
- Here in the Export to a File wizard, select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next to proceed further.
- Select Contacts and check Include subfolders option and click on Next.
- Now in the Export Outlook Data File dialog box, click on Browse button to locate the file saving location. And under Options, click on Replace duplicates with items exported radio button and click on Finish button.
- Finally, in the Create Outlook Data File wizard, you can create a password protected PST file by putting a password in the password field (in case you want a password protected PST files) and click on OK.
Drawbacks of Import/Export manual method:
Although, there are some drawbacks with Import/Export feature of Outlook which leads you to lost your essential data. Few of them are discussed below:
- Complex and time-consuming process
- Doesn’t guarantee successful extraction of Outlook data
- Data loss situation can arise
- Required technical knowledge to perform the task
- Exchange Server connectivity is required to export data from Outlook OST to PST
- Difficult to use especially when you’re a novice user
Method 2: A reliable automated method – OST to PST Converter to export Contacts from OST to PST
As I have stated above that performing Import/Export task to export Contacts from Outlook OST to PST, users must need to connect with Exchange Server with their Exchange profiles. Besides this, it is a complex process to execute especially if you’re a novice user. Hence, I will suggest you opt for an automated OST to PST tool which allows users to perform hassle-free extraction of Contacts from Outlook OST to PST. Few of the prominent features of the tool are as follows:
- Quick and safe extraction of Outlook OST to PST
- Swift and easy-to-use interface
- Works well with entire MS Outlook versions including 2016
- Allows users to convert OST file and its associated data to PST, MSG, MBOX, EML, DBX, etc file format as per individual’s preferences.
The Bottom Line:
In this blog, I have discussed both manual and automated method to export Contacts from Outlook OST to PST. However, if you want a safe and secure process to perform this task, you can choose OST to PST Converter tool.
