How to Convert OST files to PST file format for Outlook?

Here you will find a solution to convert OST files to PST file format for free. We will also know the reason behind this Outlook OST to PST conversion.

OST and PST file stands for offline storage table, and personal storage table respectively. When a user connects IMAP to Outlook 2013 and its newer versions or Exchange Server with Outlook, the OST file is created in the user’s PC. Due to some reasons like file corruption, and data loss, you might need to change the Outlook data file from OST to PST.

Below, I have mentioned how to easily convert OST files to PST files for free using manual and direct methods.

More Detail about .OST File Format

Offline Storage Table (.OST) created by MS-Outlook for saving mail in the user machine.OST file is used by most accounts to help users to access their email in offline mode. This means you can at least open your old emails even if you are traveling or don’t have an internet connection.

Now, if an OST gets corrupt, you can use the SCANOST application to quickly repair and reuse it anytime.

Note: The Scan OST tool is available in versions up to Outlook 2007. For other newer versions (such as Outlook 2013), users can fix corrupt OSTs using the inbuilt tool (Scan PST) only.

More Detail about .PST File Extension

The personal storage table (.PST) created by MS outlook is a data file to save information like contacts, emails, tasks, calendars, notes, and items. If a PST gets corrupt, you can use the SCNPST (inbox repair tool) application to quickly repair and reuse it anytime.

Benefits of converting OST file into PST file?

1. The PST file format is easy to use and import.
2. One cannot make a local backup of an OST file; however, you can keep a backup by converting it to a PST file.
3. The PST file can be accessed during server downtime.
4. You can import duplicate messages through PST File Import-Export.
5. PST file is more resistant to corruption and damage.
6. Using the SCANPST.EXE tool, PST file errors can be easily corrected.
7. Any Outlook account can be simply import a PST file.
8. By reading these, you must have known why we need to convert OST files to PST files.

Methods of Converting MS Outlook OST to PST file format

If the OST data file is corrupted or the Outlook profile is disconnected from the exchange server, we cannot use this method

Method1: convert OST file to PST file using the Import-Export wizard

First, open MS Outlook.

Go to file

Click open & export

Select import/export

A new display will appear; select “Export to a file” and click next.

Select “Outlook data file (.PST)” Click on the “NEXT.” button

Choose the folder that you want to export and check “include subfolder”.

Select the location where you want to save this file, choose excerpt options according to your requirements, and click “FINISH.”

Following these points, you can easily export your OST file to PST file without hassle.

Method 2: Enable “archiving” to convert OST to PST file format

You can use this method only if your OST file normally opens in Outlook.

Open MS-outlook application

Go to file option

Click “Clean up Tools.”

Select “ARCHIVE.”

A new display will appear on the screen, select the folder you want to Archive >> click the Browse option for a folder location path.

Click “OK”

Method 3: A straightforward method to Convert OST files to PST for Outlook

If you cannot process the manual way, then try best OST to PST Converter software. This single application allows users to load OST data and export them to PST file format. It easily repairs the corrupted .OST file and migrates all the data items to Outlook PST. You can also read about top 10 free OST to PST Converters and recover your inaccessible OST files data with ease. Most of the software supports all Windows OS and allows exporting mailboxes from OST to PST, Office 365, EML, MSG, etc.

Conclusion

In this article, we have told you how to manually convert OST files to PST for absolutely free. It is always beneficial to change OST to PST in case Exchange Server is absent and crashes and you are unable to access your important emails. Here we have shared two free methods and one professional solution to export OST mailbox into PST format. You can use either free method or any paid tool to convert data from OST to PST.