Manually Convert an Offline File OST to a Personal File PST

OST stands for offline storage table files and more and more people are using this type of file even in downtime of Exchange Server. An OST file is the replica of the Exchange Server’s mailbox data and stored locally on the following location.

“Drive:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application data\Microsoft\Outlook”

 

Working offline is a very good facility where the Exchange Server is not accessible (for maintenance or server downtime situations). Sometimes OST file goes to inaccessible state due to corruption issues of OST file. Hence if you want to convert OST to PST then firstly you need to repair it using scanost.exe or scanpst.exe tool. If this repair tool fails to fix corruption issues then you should try third party OST Repair software. Hence, if offline OST data becomes inaccessible or corrupted. The recommended way to go is to convert it to PST format. This blog describes how to perform OST to PST Conversion and why a need arises to convert OST to PST format.

Let's See Why a Need Arises to Convert an Offline OST to Personal File PST:

OST file uses some special criteria to open and access its data. These types of files are bound to specific MAPI profile and one can't access its data outside of it. Look at the below section to understand why a need arises to convert offline OST to PST format.

Reason 1: MAPI Bindings

As we know offline data files are bound to specific MAPI profiles. Thus, it will be open on the system where OST files were originally generated and Outlook is configured with MS Exchange (with cached mode enabled). If someone tries to access OST file outside of its original MAPI profile then system denies and it reports an error. In this scenario, you need to convert the OST file to PST format and thereafter the PST file can be copied to the other system and accessed using Outlook.

Reason 2: OST Size Limit

OST file tend to become prone to corruption with their increasing size. Sometimes larger OST file becomes primary cause of OST corruption. If you are facing trouble due to increased size of OST file then archiving of OST file into PST is a good idea.

Reason 3: Orphan OST

If you have deleted your Exchange Server account which is the parent of OST file. Similarly, like child become orphan without his parent the OST file is considered to be orphaned. One cannot access OST file contents outside of its original profile. Hence if you wish to access orphan ost file content then you have only one option left is to convert offline OST file in some other desired format.

Let’s See Some Manual Techniques to Convert Offline OST to PST format:

1. Export Option of Microsoft Outlook:

Although this method achieves your purpose, it is slightly less recommended since folder properties like permissions and views are not preserved after exporting the email data to PST. Only the content part gets exported. Hence, you should think of using this method only if you want to focus on converting the emails and that too quickly.

a. Go to File -> Import and Export Option -> Import Outlook Data File Window
b. In the dialog box that opens up, click on Browse and allow duplicate to be created and choose the Outlook data file (PST) as exporting medium.
c. Select the data items that user wants to export and click on next.

2. Archiving OST emails to PST file

AutoArchive option is a free facility offered by Outlook to manage larger OST file. When it comes to archiving OST data, a target PST file is always the preferred choice. Here a question strikes in your mind is that how to perform AutoArchive option. Following steps should be taken in order to archive OST emails to PST email format. But one drawback using this procedure is that you cannot archive contacts.

a. Go to Tools -> Options -> Other -> AutoArchive
b. Select the option to “Apply to all folders”
c. Go to File -> Archive
d. Run

3. Drag-&-Drop OST items to a new PST

It’s recommended to create a new PST file in your Outlook profile and move your all OST file in newly created PST file using drag and drop procedure. However, this is not recommended procedure if you have large items of OST file as it’s a time-consuming procedure and who has the time or patience for it to move ost file items in PST file format.

4. Implement Third Party's Procedure when Outlook is Unavailable

OST to PST Converter is straighforward way to perform OST to PST conversion. It’s a standalone solution to convert offline data file to Outlook PST format without Outlook. A recommended product for this purpose is EmailDoctor OST to PST Converter. This solution keeps care about safety of original email ingredients.

Final Words

After the analyzing the different manual techniques to convert OST file and their drawbacks, choosing third party OST to PST Converter is the preferable choice. It’s a quick fix solution through which you will convert OST to PST without Outlook and Exchange Server connectivity. Software is designed to save OST file to PST, EML and MSG file format by keeping secure all parts of OST file.