How to Open OST File With/Without Outlook?

Microsoft Outlook uses OST (Offline Storage Table) files to keep a copy of your emails, contacts, and other mailbox data on your computer. Opening an OST file without the Outlook environment can be tricky because these files are often encrypted and linked to specific accounts. This permits you to access your information even when you’re not connected to the internet. This article will guide you through manual and professional methods for opening and viewing the contents of an OST file. However, experts recommend using the DRS OST Viewer which can easily open OST files without Outlook.

Reasons an OST File Won’t Open

There are several reasons why you might have trouble opening an OST (Outlook Offline Storage Table) file. Here are some common problems and what you can do about them:

• If your Outlook profile is damaged, it might stop you from opening OST files. 
• OST files can get corrupted due to system crashes, disk errors, or software problems. 
• Make sure you’re using a compatible version of Outlook for the OST file.
• Very large OST files can be difficult to open, especially if your computer has limited resources. 
• If the OST file is password-protected.
• Ensure you have the right permissions to access the OST file.
• If Outlook is online, you might need to switch to offline mode to open the file.

Need to Open OST Files Without Outlook

Here are some reasons you might need to open an OST file without using Outlook:

• You might not have Outlook installed on your computer but you need to read the OST file’s data.
• If your Outlook profile is corrupted, you may need to access the OST file independently to recover your data.
• You might need to convert or export data from the OST file to another format (like PST) or into a different email client.
• If you need to view the contents of the OST file temporarily or in a different environment where Outlook is not available.
• You need to share OST files with someone who doesn’t have Outlook.

View an OST File Using MS Outlook 

OST files can be viewed or opened with Outlook using these 2 methods:

• Convert an OST file With MS Outlook
• With the help of the OST File location

Now let’s move on to the approaches to opening OST files.

Approach 1: Convert an OST File With MS Outlook

To open an OST file, you first need to convert it into a PST file format. If the OST file is linked to an Outlook account, you can easily convert it to PST format using Outlook’s import feature.

1. Download and launch the MS Outlook application on your system.
2. After that, click the File button in the top menu bar.
3. Now, select Open & Export and choose the Import/Export option.
4. Then, In the Import and Export option, select Export to a file and click Next.
5. After that, choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
6. Then,  Select the Outlook mailbox folder you want to export and click the Next button.
7. In the end, choose a location to save the PST file and click Finish.

However, this procedure will only work if the OST file is linked to an email account that is synchronized with Outlook.

Approach 2: With the help of the OST File Location

Users need to first locate where the OST file is stored. Depending on your version of Windows and Outlook, you can find the OST file in these locations:

• Microsoft Outlook 2000, 2003, and 2007: C:/Documents and Settings/User Name/Local Settings/Application Data/Microsoft/Outlook
• Outlook 2010: Documents/Outlook File/
• Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013: C:/Users/admin/AppData/local/Microsoft/ Outlook

Users can also use Microsoft Outlook to find the location of the OST file. Follow these steps:

1. First, install MS Outlook and go to Info.
2. Under the info segment, you see the File option. Click it
3. After that, select the Account Settings option.
4. Next, click on Data Files and select the OST file from the list. 
5. Finally, click Open File Location to view where the OST file is stored.

This approach is most suitable when you have an OST File and you want to open or view it with the help of Outlook. However, if you need to access an orphan OST file, manual methods will not be effective. In this case, using professional software is the only feasible solution.  You can do this without needing to install or set up Outlook, regardless of the version that created the file.

Limitation of Manual Approach

Here are some limitations of converting or viewing an OST file using manual methods:

• Manual methods often require the OST file to be linked to an active Outlook profile.
• Different versions of Outlook might have different levels of compatibility with OST files.
• If the OST file is corrupted, manual methods may not be effective.
• Manual methods typically offer limited functionality for conversion.
• For users without technical expertise, using the manual process can be complex and error-prone.
• Limited options for exporting to other formats.

Professional Way to Open OST File Without Outlook

The DRS OST Viewer Tool is a trustworthy and reliable solution for reading OST files without needing MS Outlook you can check the Outlook mailbox items. Also, it allows you to save emails in PDF, PST, HTML, and DOC. The software works well with various versions of Windows OS. This comprehensive utility provides options to exclude all the undesired mailbox items while converting the OST mailbox data.

Simple Steps to Open OST File Without Outlook

1. Download, install, and open the DRS OST Viewer Tool in your system.
2. After that, opt for the Single Files/Multiple File Option.
3. Now, click Select File and choose the Desired OST File Option.
4. You can select items from the mailbox preview option.

Now you can view your OST file easily. Now, If you want to access these viewed OST files, It’s advisable to convert them into Outlook format. Follow the observation to convert OST to PST file:

5. Then, from the drop-down list, choose PST as a file format option.
6. After that, choose the additional option to satisfy your requirements.
7. Next, choose the desired location to save the resulting output file.
8. In the end, click on the convert button to import PST to MSG File Format.

Through this, you can able to read the OST file without installing the Outlook environment.

Also Read: How to Export Contacts from OST File

Conclusion

The process of opening an OST file without the setting up of Microsoft Outlook can be complex due to the file’s encryption. This article has detailed both manual and professional methods that make it easier to open OST files without Outlook. For users with an active Outlook profile, converting an OST file to a PST format is a feasible method. When dealing with orphaned or corrupted OST files, the OST Viewer Tool is highly recommended. By using Tool, users can easily access, review, and convert their OST files, ensuring data availability and compatibility across different platforms and future needs.