Last Updated on July 16, 2024 by Team Experts

If you want to convert OST files into PST then you are on the right page. Here we are providing the best ways to convert Exchange OST mailboxes to Microsoft Outlook PST files. The article discusses the methods to Convert Outlook OST to PST. You can use the manual approach to export OST to PST, and we have also provided a third-party solution OST to PST Converter tool. 

 MS Outlook is an email client widely used by businesses and offices to communicate. Most users configure their accounts with MS-Exchange Server, which works in synchronization and stores data in Offline Storage Table (.ost) files. These files contain data stored offline on a hard drive.

The IMAP account synchronizes and downloads data in the OST file format every time the user logs in using the account. The mailbox is kept up-to-date with new emails, reports, meeting requests, etc.

Sometimes, when a user creates an account with an IMAP configuration, the account also functions as a web server and stores data in (.ost) format.

Method 01: Backup OST File by Exporting Mailbox to PST

 This method is so simple and easy to perform. Follow these steps to convert the OST file into PST file format.

1. Install MS Outlook on your system.
2. Choose Import and Export from the File menu.
3. Click on Next after selecting Export to a file.
4. Choose Personal Folder File (.pst) format and then Next.
5. Enable the Include subfolders option for your email or folder.
6. After selecting Export to a file, click Finish after browsing the files in the selected location, selecting to replace duplicates with imported items, and clicking on Next.
7. The password can also be set on their Backup PST file.

Method 02:- Archiving method to Import OST File to Outlook

The users can use this method to convert OST files to PST files very easily. But this method does not allow the users to archive the contact To convert Outlook OST to PST, follow the steps below.

1. Install the MS Outlook application, Go to the  File menu, and click Options.
2. Then, go to Advanced and press on the Auto Archive Settings.
3. Next, select the number of days for which you want to run auto-archiving. Choose a folder to archive the file in, then select the archiving options, and at last click the OK button.
4. This will save mailbox items from your OST file to the PST file based on your archiving settings.

Method 03:-  Run the Manual Archiving

If you do not need consistent backups, then you can use manual archiving. This will accomplish the same task, but you will have more control. 

1. After clicking the File option, you can go to the Info section. 
2. Choose Cleanup Tools >> Archive.
3. Choose the second option to archive this folder and all its subfolders. 
4. You can choose a date to archive items older than that by selecting the folders. 
5. Save the archive in PST format by clicking the Browse button. Finally, click OK.

These are the manual methods that users can use to export OST to PST but these methods have some limitations which make them less reliable to use. The manual methods are a time-consuming process and require lots of patience from the users while performing the steps. There is always a chance of data loss or corruption in these methods and requires technical assistance while performing the steps. That’s why I recommend you to opt for the automated solution OST to PST.  In case you want to convert EDB to PST file then follow this informative blog.

Use the Automated Solution OST to PST Converter to export OST to PST

MCT OST to PST Converter tool is the risk-free utility to convert Outlook OST to PST. It is capable to do the bulk migration of OST files into PST file format without any data lapse. Some advanced features of this utility are:-

• This utility export OST to PST, EML, CSV, HTML, MHTML, EMLX, MBOX, MSG file formats.
• It offers a self-explanatory interface to its technical and non-technical users.
• OST to PST converter allows the users to migrate OST items into Gmail, Office 365, HotMail, IMAP, Thunderbird, HostGator Email, Yahoo Mail, Zoho Mail, Opera Mail, Yandex Mail, iCloud, AOL, Amazon WorkMail, GoDaddy Email, etc.
• It provides an advanced feature to remove duplicate emails from the chosen folder.
• You can also download the free demo version of this application to evaluate its performance.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have provided all the methods to convert Outlook OST to PST. Firstly we have provided the manual method but in case the manual approach does not provide satisfactory results then you can opt for the expert solution OST to PST Converter.

Read more: OST to PST converter software EdbMails: Review and Fact check