Complete information about the best tool to transfer OST data to PST format

Converting OST file into PST format is one of the most asked queries but users are unaware of the reliable solutions for this. They should know the best tool to transfer OST mailbox data to PST so as to perform the safe migration. Before that, let us discuss OST and PST file formats.

Overview – OST and PST file formats

OST and PST both are data files of MS Outlook. OST which is also known as Offline Storage Table and PST as Personal Storage Table. OST file is a replica of mailbox items stored in Exchange Server and helps users to work in offline mode when the internet connection is unavailable. When working offline, the changes made are updated when the internet connection is back.

PST stores emails, contacts, notes, calendars, and other information within MS Outlook on the local system. The data in PST files can be accessed in Outlook and these files are imported easily to other email clients.

Why export OST file to PST format?

A user can wish to export OST mailbox to PST format due to various reasons that are as follows –

• Corruption or damage in OST file.
• Due to issues facing in synchronizing OST with Exchange Server.
• Need to transfer business emails to other organization.
• When Exchange Server is under maintenance, you can’t use Exchange Server and sometimes it becomes necessary to access mailbox items so you need to convert OST data to PST format.
• In case of sudden deletion of mailbox items, you can recover them by exporting OST file into PST format.

How to export OST mailbox to Outlook PST?

Users have several methods to export OST file into Outlook PST format. Some are manual methods and others are professional tools. The confusion among users is which solution is best for them. To answer this question, we are providing manual as well as a third-party tool in this section along with their pros and cons.

Let us first consider some manual methods –

Technique 1. Import & Export feature of MS Outlook

• Launch Microsoft Outlook.
• Click on the File menu and then open the Import & Export option.
• You will find an Import/Export Wizard, choose Export to a file option.
• Select Outlook data file (.pst) and click on Continue button.
• Select the mailbox folder whom you want to export.
• Now, define a location to save the PST file.
• Click Finish and wait for the export process to complete

Technique 2. Archiving method to save OST emails to PST

By enabling Archiving feature, Outlook OST emails are exported to a new PST file format. Here are the steps to do this –

• Open Outlook application.
• Go to the File menu and click Options.
• Go to Advanced option and click Auto Archive Settings.
• Specify the number of days you want to run archiving and also select the folder to move in the archived file. Finally, click OK.
• Wait for the process to complete.

Things to notice before applying the above manual methods

• You should have Outlook installed properly on your system.
• The system where OST was originally created is needed to perform the conversion.
• A user should be technically sound to export OST data into PST format with manual methods.
• Proper attention and internet connection are required to perform the manual technique.

Concluding Lines

Among the above defined solutions, you can choose anyone as per your convenience. However, you will find the software solution easy to follow which consists of few steps to carry out the conversion of OST database to PST format.