The Ultimate Guide to Convert Outlook OST to PST File

Written By Rohit Singh
Published on June 3rd, 2021
Updated on April 25, 2022

Summary: As an Exchange user, do you get the alarming message of inaccessible OST files? If yes, then you should convert OST file to PST. In such a scenario, you need to opt for a cautious approach to execute this conversion. Fortunately, there are two different approaches available to convert Outlook OST to PST. This blog sheds light on both approaches and helps you to get the best result with less effort.

Microsoft Outlook is a part of Office Suite that can be used as a standalone application. It helps you to access Microsoft Exchange Server email. Additionally, it provides contacts, calendaring, and task management functionality. This advanced email application is widely used for business purposes. Many organizations integrate Outlook with the Microsoft Sharepoint platform for sharing crucial file data. Also, It stores a local copy of the information on your system, when you configure an email account with Outlook.

With the help of this feature, you can access previously synchronized email messages, calendars, contacts, and tasks without the internet. Outlook stores the data files mainly in two different formats. The POP accounts store their information in PST files. While, Outlook 365, Exchange, IMAP, and Outlook.com accounts save the data in Offline Outlook Data Files i.e. OST files. Now, let’s move ahead to know the difference between both the file formats.

Table of Contents

Differentiate Between OST and PST Files Used in Outlook

Generally, the Offline Storage Table (OST) stores file data for offline utilization. It facilitates users to work offline and automatically synchronize the data with Outlook when having an internet connection. Hence, OST enables users to compose, delete, read, and reply to emails offline.

Whereas, the PST format is known as Personal Storage Table/Folder which saves data in your local drive. This PST can’t be used in Exchange Server. However, other servers like HTTP and IMAP use only PST files. It consists of your mails, journals, contacts, calendars, and various other mailbox items and saves them locally on your hard drive.

Comparison Between OST and PST File Format

Parameters	Offline Storage Table (OST)	Personal Storage Table (PST)
Compatible Server	Compatible Exchange Servers	Compatible with Exchange and Other email servers
Sharing and Portability	Reliant on Server and can’t be shared/port	Portable in nature and located at any place on the local system
Synchronization	Data can sync automatically when provided with an internet connectivity	Auto synchronization can’t be done
Dependency	Can’t transfer from Exchange Server individually	Possible to make a separate Outlook Database file
Usage/Benefits	When Users want to work Offline or with a low net connection	Utilize to have a backup of Outlook components

Top 6 Reasons to Convert OST to PST

In the current scenario, demand for OST to PST conversion is high. Many reasons arise from the need to convert Outlook OST to PST file. Here, you can check out the top 6 possible reasons for OST to PST conversion.

Due to these reasons, you need to convert Outlook data file to PST. You can also find the OST File Recovery Tool that recovers the corrupted or damaged OST files. However, to change OST to PST format is the most reliable way to secure and backup your offline storage file data.

Process to Convert OST to PST Manually

Many users asked for a free tool to convert OST to PST. In such a scenario, there are two popular free methods to export OST to PST file. These methods require a connection with your Exchange Server Account.

Method 1: Export Mailbox as a PST File

You can convert Outlook OST to PST using the in-built Import and Export feature. It requires the OST file in connection with your Exchange Account. After that, execute the following steps to accomplish this task.

Sign In to Outlook with your Exchange account that you used to create OST files.
Now, click on the File from the top menu bar.
Select the Open & Export option and click on the Import/Export.
Choose the Export to a file option and tap on the Next button.
Then, specify the Outlook Data File (.pst) option and click Next.
Here, select the folder to export and proceed to the next step.
Define the location for the new PST file on your system. Then, choose to Replace duplicates with the items exported option.
Now, Click on the Finish button to convert OST to PST file.

Method 2: Use Archiving to Save OST Emails to PST

You can also enable the Auto Archive method to convert OST to PST manually. It helps to manage your mailbox size. For this, you need to perform the following steps to change OST to PST using the Auto Archiving method.

Go to your account, click on the File menu and choose the Options tab.
Now, select the Advanced option. Then, click on AutoArchive Settings.
In AutoArchive wizard, you can specify the duration and folder to save the archived file. Now, click Ok to finish the process.

This method converts Outlook data files to PST according to your archiving settings. However, there are some limitations associated with these manual techniques. In this regard, Outlook OST to PST Converter is the best alternative to perform this conversion.

Professional Approach to Convert OST to PST Without Outlook

This approach consists of a secure and reliable Cigati OST to PST Converter that helps you to convert Outlook OST to PST effectively. Sometimes, users may face data loss during the conversion of OST files into PST manually. It also happens due to the high amount of OST files. Therefore, experts have always recommended using the OST to PST Converter software.

In this regard, Cigati has developed a robust utility that enables users to accomplish this task by maintaining high data integrity. Following are some advanced features of the Cigati OST to PST Converter Tool that enhance its performance.

Apart from the OST to PST Conversion, this utility allows users to convert OST to MBOX, PDF, EML, DOC, etc.
It facilitates the bulk conversion of OST to PST format.
This Outlook OST to PST Converter provides the Mail filter and Task filter options to select the specific emails from the mailbox.
You can also import OST to Office 365, Yahoo Mail, Thunderbird, Gmail, and several other email clients.
The free trial version of this advanced OST to PST Converter allows you to convert/migrate the first 50 emails per folder.

To understand the detailed working of this advanced utility, you can go through this video. It explains the entire procedure to convert OST files to PST using this software.

Final Verdict

This article proposed and explained the reliable solution to convert Outlook OST to PST files. Also, it thoroughly defined both the file formats and the possible reasons to convert OST files to PST. In the end, we have introduced a prominent approach that ensures high data security throughout the entire conversion process. You can opt for this utility to convert multiple OST files into PST format.

How to Convert OST to PST in Outlook 2016?

You can follow the above-discussed procedure to convert OST to PST manually. However, the professional approach is the more reliable and secure way to accomplish this task.

What Will You Do If OST File gets Corrupted?

You can recover the corrupt OST file using the inbuilt scanpst.exe utility. Meanwhile, errors have been detected in the Outlook OST file sometimes, that need to be fixed. So, to convert Outlook OST to PST is one of the best solutions to prevent the OST file data.

How Do I Backup My OST File?

Using Cigati OST to PST Converter, you can easily backup your OST file data. It provides the facility to convert and migrate OST files into various file formats and email clients.

About The Author:

Rohit Singh

Rohit Singh is an Email Backup, Recovery & Migration Consultant and is associated with Software Company from the last 3 years. He writes technical updates and their features related to MS Outlook, Exchange Server, Office 365, and many other Email Clients & Servers.