The Ultimate Guide to OST to PST Conversion: Recover and Manage Your Emails

Summary: OST, also known as Offline Storage Table, keeps copies of your mailbox items like emails, contacts, and calendars. OST files can become large and corrupted. In this case, you must do OST to PST Conversion. Are you having problems converting OST files? Don't worry, we're here to assist you with the most effective techniques. We'll look at two manual techniques, including a professional OST to PST converter. But, before we go any further, let's look at why you need to convert the OST file to a PST file.

What is needed to convert OST to PST file format?

There are various reasons why you should convert your OST files to PST format. Let's go through a few of them:

• Large OST files are prone to corruption, therefore converting them to PST files helps reduce their size.
• To restore mailbox data that has been removed from the Exchange server, users must export OST to PST.
• Converting OST files to PST lowers the risk of data loss due to inadvertent deletion or power outages.
• PST files allow you to effortlessly export mailbox data from one Outlook profile to another.
• OST to PST conversion allows you to effortlessly access offline data in an online environment.

Method 1: Use Import/Export to Convert OST File to PST.

To convert OST files to PST, users can use Outlook's Import/Export function. Here is a step-by-step guide to exporting OST to PST.

• First, install and launch the latest version of Outlook on your system.
• Next, go to the File tab and choose Open & Export.
• In the Open & Export wizard, select the Import/Export option.
• Now, select the Export to File option and click the Next button.
• Next, pick Outlook Data File (.pst) and click the Next button.
• After that, select your selected folder and click the Next button.
• Later, click the Browse option to select your preferred destination.
• Select Allow duplicate items to be produced from the list of options.
• Finally, press the Finish button to start the OST to PST conversion procedure.

Method 2: Use the Auto Archive Setting to Export OST to PST File Format

Users can also export their OST file to PST by selecting the Auto Archive option. Follow these steps to export the OST file to PST:

• First, open MS Outlook on your PC and select the File tab.
• Now, navigate to the Options menu and select Advanced.
• Next, select the AutoArchive Settings option.
• Later, choose the appropriate fields and click the OK button.
• Finally, your OST files will be converted into PST file format.

Drawbacks of the Manual Method:

Although the manual approach is free to use, it has various drawbacks, some of which are listed below:

• Your data may become corrupted or lost while utilising this method.
• The process is too lengthy, thus it can take a long time.
• This method is not suitable for converting large numbers of OST files.
• Outlook must be installed on your PC before proceeding.
• This procedure requires basic technical understanding.

Method 3: Automated Solution for Converting OST File to PST without Outlook on Windows

The GainTools OST to PST Converter is a well-known software for exporting OST files to PST format. Aside from PST, it can convert OST to a variety of other file types. It allows users to preview their OST files before to conversion. This wizard transforms both individual and numerous OST files, including attachments. It even keeps the folder's original hierarchy. Furthermore, this software is fully compatible with both the Windows operating system and Microsoft Outlook.

Quick Steps to Export OST to PST File Format

To effortlessly convert OST files to PST, follow these steps:

1. First, install, launch, and use the OST to PST Converter Software.
2. Select the Single File/Multiple Files option and click Next.
3. Now, select OST files and tap the Next button.
4. Then, extend the tree hierarchy and click the Next button.
5. Later, select the File Format option and select PST from the list.
6. Eventually, click the Convert button to begin the OST to PST migration.

Conclusion

After reading the blog above, you will be able to effortlessly convert OST to PST. We tried both the manual way and the professional tool. If you have technical knowledge, you can use the manual way; otherwise, you can use a professional tool like GainTools OST to PST Converter. We have also discussed the reasons for exporting OST files to PST.