4 Free Methods to Convert OST to PST File Format

The Outlook application has two data files – Offline Storage Table (OST) and Personal Storage Table (PST). PST file contains all mails and is stored on the local system hard disk whereas the

OST file is the exact replica of Exchange Server data and saved as local copy on the user’s system which is maintained to save Exchange data for offline use. A user may however feel the need to convert the file from one format to another. Here are some of the reasons which justify such conversion of files from one format to another.

• Exchange Server crashed due to corruption or other reasons
• Exchange Server is under maintenance
• Accidental loss of Exchange data
• Moving OST file from one system or OS environment to another
• Need for a permanent and portable backup of OST data
• Company or organization compliances and regulations

In any circumstances, if a user wants to convert OST to PST or extract data from a backup OST file, then they can easily refer to the content of this blog.

To convert an OST to a PST file, there are plenty of ways. These solutions are free and can be performed by any user but some amount of technical expertise is always needed.

Converting Exchange OST File to Outlook PST File Free

There are few popular free solutions where you can convert OST to PST or move OST data to the PST file.

1. Using Export Feature in Outlook
2. Archiving OST data to PST file
3. Run the Manual Archiving
4. Drag-&-Drop into a New PST File

Note: If the data you want to move from OST file to access is quite less, then you can directly forward them as emails to any specific email address.

A. Using Export feature in Outlook

All Outlook versions come with an integrated and in-built Import and Export feature which allows users to move OST files data to PST file easily. The main condition here is that the OST file needs to be connected with Exchange Server at the time of export. It is useful for the local and portable backup of Exchange mailbox data. Let us understand the process.

1. Run the Outlook application. Go to File > Import/Export.
   
2. Select the option stating Export to a file and click on Next.
   
3. Next, you can select the type and format of the file to which you are exporting the OST data. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) option. Click Next.
   
4. You can move a single mailbox folder (mostly used Inbox folder) to PST. Select the folder of your choice and also select the checkbox Include sub folders. Then click on Next to continue.
   
5. Click Browse and enter the address for the PST file location on your system. Choose any option for managing duplicate items and click on Finish.
   
6. Next, you can add the password to your saved PST file or continue without it. The process of conversion will start and complete as per the data involved.
   

B. Archiving OST emails to PST format

Emails cover the maximum space of the mailbox. There are different sections which store the data in an email such as an inbox, outbox, sent items, and other user-defined folders. All of the folders are designed to secure the emails and keep them sorted. Additionally, the attachments, images and other animations present in the body of the email can increase the size of a single email also. The size of an OST file is limited, so Outlook offers a simple method to move the older emails that are no longer useful for the user.

1. Click File in Outlook and go to Options category.
   
2. Go to Advanced category and click AutoArchive settings.
   
3. By default, the wizard remains inactive. So, you should click the checkbox to run AutoArchive after every selected day. Choose the number of days. AutoArchive can delete expired items (emails only), archive or delete old items, clean out items older than selected months. You can either move old items to a chosen folder or delete them permanently. Use all the settings and click OK.
   

The archived file will be a PST file. But, you should understand that the archive file will be saved only to emails. If you want to save contacts and other contents, then you should use other methods.

C. Run the Manual Archiving

If you do not require consistent backup using AutoArchiving, then you can run the manual archive also. It will perform the same job but with more control. You can go to Info section after clicking File option. Then, choose Cleanup Tools >> Archive.

Select the second option to archive this folder and all subfolders. Select the folders and choose a date to archive items older than that. Use the Browse button to save the archived file in PST format. At last, click OK.

D. Drag-&-Drop into a New PST File

Rather than exporting the whole account, you can create a new PST file in Outlook and drag-&-drop contents from older account.

1. In Outlook, Click New Items and expand it with More Items. Choose, Outlook Data File.
   
2. Later, you can use the simple drag-&-drop function to move the account objects.

Drag and drop action for OST emails to the newly created PST file is also an option if there are few emails only. This solution works well if the data for conversion is not much and the Exchange conversion is not interrupted.

In addition, one can also convert the OST file to PST without Outlook. It is important to understand that during the process of converting the data from one form to another, there may be a chance of losing the data. Each syntax cannot be a lookalike of the other. Therefore, there is a need for a professional tool that can easily convert OST to PST without compromising the contents of the file.

In addition, the above mentioned methods also do not support conversion of corrupt Exchange OST files. They are usually slow and dilatory in nature.

Users seeking large OST file to PST can try an efficient professional third-party OST to PST converter tool which guarantees safe and efficient conversion without any connection and file-size restrictions. It is possible to convert the data from one form to another without losing any element of it. These tools help to develop original files in the minimum amount of time.

Conclusion

All the methods with the help of which you can easily convert the files from one format to another have already been discussed above. A user can decide any method depending on his own convenience and interest. All of this is very easy to execute and does not require any expert assistance. User can also use automatic OST to PST converter tool to convert OST to PST file.