Unlock the Secret: Free Methods to Convert OST to PST in Outlook

Summary: OST and PST both are essentially Outlook data files that store the mail items, such as emails, contacts, attachments, etc. If you want to back up or migrate your mail items from an OST file, you must convert it to PST format, which is importable in both Outlook for Windows and Mac. This article will share some free manual methods and automated solutions, such as Stellar Converter for OST, to convert OST to PST online.

OST and PST files are the two most commonly used Outlook data files. Offline Storage Table or OST is an offline Outlook data file that stores all the Exchange, Office 365 (Microsoft 365), Outlook.com, and IMAP mail items and allows users to work offline and synchronize changes with the Exchange server when the network connection is restored. It is also encrypted by default with the MAPIEntry GUID key. Hence, you cannot access or import the OST to any other Outlook account or profile.

Also Read: Introduction to OST File, its Problems and Solutions

On the other hand, a Personal Storage Table or PST file is a personal folder file that Outlook uses to store all your POP3 email, contacts, calendar, and other data. Unlike OST, PST is a popular format for backup and migration.

Also Read: Difference between OST and PST

Table of Content:

• Reasons to Convert OST to PST Format
• Free Manual Methods to Convert OST to PST
• Pros and Cons of Using Free Methods to Convert OST to PST
• Use Third-Party Software to Convert OST to PST
• Why Choose a Third-Party OST to PST Converter Software?
• Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Reasons to Convert OST to PST Format 

Generally, there are three main reasons to convert OST to PST format:

Reason 1: Backup Mail Items

You may want to back up your mail items from Exchange, Office 365, or IMAP email accounts to protect them against data loss scenarios.

Reason 2: Moving to New Organization

If you need to move to a new organization that uses a different email system, you may not be able to access or import your old OST file on the new system. Converting the OST file to a PST file will enable you to access your old emails, contacts, and other data on the new system.

Reason 3: Server Crash

You need to convert OST to PST when your Exchange server crashes or becomes corrupted. In such a case, the OST becomes orphaned and cannot be accessed.

Reason 4: Mail Profile Deleted

If your mail profile or account is deleted from the server, you cannot access the OST file or mail items in it. Converting the OST to PST format can help you access and restore the mail items from such OST files.

OST to PST Converter Online- Free Manual Methods

There are two common manual methods used for converting OST files to PST for free. Below we have discussed both in detail to help you convert the OST to PST for free.

Method 1: Outlook Import/Export Wizard

Outlook provides an option to export all mail items from the OST file to PST format via Outlook Import/Export wizard. However, this wizard works only if your profile is active and the OST file is accessible in Outlook. It’s one of the easiest ways to convert OST to PST.

The steps are as follows:

• Open Outlook and click on File > Open & Export
• Select Import/Export. An Import and Export Wizard window will appear.

• Click on Export to a file and then click Next.
  

• Select the Outlook Data File (*.pst) option and click Next.
  

• Click on your email to choose all the mail folders and click Next.
• Click Browse to choose a location for saving the converted PST file and click Finish.
  

• You will see a password prompt. You may enter a password or leave it blank and click OK. This will export all the mail items from the OST file to PST format.

Method 2: Archiving

Outlook also allows users to archive mail items from their Exchange, Office 365, or IMAP email account stored in OST file to PST format using the archiving option. It’s a free method to convert the OST file to PST format.

The steps are as follows:

• Open Outlook and click on File > Options.
• Click Advanced.
• Click on “AutoArchive Settings.”

• Click Run AutoArchive every <choose days> and then click Browse to choose a save location.
  

• Click OK.

This will enable Auto Archiving that will save all your mail items older than selected days to PST format. If you want to immediately save all mail items from OST to PST, you can run manual archiving by using these steps:

• In Outlook, click File > Info
• Choose Cleanup Tools > Archive.

• Choose  Archive this folder and all subfolders option and then select the email profile to select all mail folders.
• Choose a date.

• Click Browse to choose a save location.
• Click OK.
• This will save the mail items from the OST file into a PST file.

Also Read: How to Convert an OST file into Outlook PST file?

Pros and Cons of Using Free Methods- OST to PST Converter Online

Although the free methods for converting OST to PST are convenient, they have their advantages and disadvantages briefly discussed below..

Pros

• You don’t have to pay a single penny or purchase expensive software to convert your OST files or mail items from OST to PST. 
• The methods are easy to follow and usually, don’t require any technical expertise.

Cons

• The methods are not as reliable as an OST to PST converter software. 
• Free methods have limited export options and lack useful features that you may need, such as advanced filters. 
• They do not work when OST is inaccessible or your are encountering Outlook errors.
• Manual methods may fail to export mail items from a large OST file to PST.
• The original folder structure may alter.
• Integrity issues after saving, such as missing mail items. 
• There is no support. If something goes wrong, you have no support other than the forums.

Use Third-Party Software to Convert OST to PST

You need a professional OST to PST Converter software, such as Stellar Converter for OST, to export or convert your inaccessible, orphaned, or large and multiple OST files to PST format.

The software converts your OST files to PST in 3-simple steps:

• Download/install and launch the Stellar Converter for OST software.

• Select the OST files and click Convert.

• Select the mail folders and choose Save Converted File to save the mail items to PST format.

For detailed steps, refer to the Stellar Converter for OST page.

Why Choose a Third-Party OST to PST Converter Online?

Converting an OST file into a PST file is a challenging task when the OST is inaccessible or you can’t access the Outlook import/export wizard. In such cases, it is recommended to go for Stellar Converter for OST to avoid further damage to the OST file and the risk of data loss.

The software offers the following benefits over the free manual methods:

• It converts orphaned or inaccessible OST files to PST format with complete integrity and precision.
• Search option to select and save individual or multiple mail items or folders to PST or other formats, such as HTML, PDF, RTF,  EML, and MSG.
• Provides advanced filters to include or exclude mail items from converted PST files based on criteria, such as date range, email ID, etc.
• Previews all mail items before saving.
• Facilitates faster conversion
• Support and convert oversized OST files up to 50GB.
• Lets you directly export all mail items from the OST file to Microsoft 365 or Live Exchange in a few clicks.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts- OST to PST Converter Online

OST to PST conversion is a common need of everyday Microsoft Outlook users. While there are free methods to convert the OST file to PST format, you just know the disadvantages and risks involved in them. You should also consider the pros and cons of the manual methods before deciding which method to use.

If you encounter any errors during the OST to PST conversion process or cannot access the Outlook options to export or convert OST to PST manually, you can use Stellar Converter for OST to convert single or multiple OST files to PST format simultaneously with complete integrity and precision. You can also export the OST directly to Microsoft 365 and Live Exchange Server using the Stellar Converter for OST software.