Best Way to Convert OST to PST Without Data Loss

OST stands for Offline Storage Table. This data file stores business-sensitive information. It contains crucial email messages, event list, contacts and other important mailbox folders. This is the main reason why IT admins strongly advocate to backup OST file. Ensuring the protection of .ost file data not only provides data backup in extreme circumstances but also protect data from the unauthorized access to sensitive information.

But the .ost file is not ideal for archiving. It is because of certain factors. Firstly, it is highly encrypted. Secondly, it is linked to a specific profile. Thirdly, it is secured with a MAPEntryID GUID key. Fourthly, it is extremely hard to restore. On the contrary, the Personal Storage Table (.pst) files are perfect for archiving. First and foremost, .pst files are portable. Secondly, .pst files are easy to restore. Therefore, it is great to convert OST file to PST.

Checkout our guide titled “Best Way to Convert OST to PST Without Data Loss” to know more about the topic. In addition to this, this guide will also shed light on a professional OST to PST converter software.

Scenarios Demanding OST to PST Conversion:

Outlook users need to convert .ost file to .pst format in the following scenarios:

To restore sensitive business data saved in the .ost file when the Exchange server is down.
In the event of accidental deletion of Exchange data and .ost file becomes orphaned.
When the OST file becomes inaccessible due to severe corruption or any other technical reason.
For data backup and migration.

Methods to Convert OST to PST Files for Free:

After understanding the reasons, let’s move forward towards unearthing ways to convert an OST file to PST format. Follow the below guide.

1: Import/ Export Wizard: First, log in to Outlook with the same Exchange account that was used to create the .ost file. Once signed in, follow the steps below:

Open Files.
Go to Open & Export.
Press the ‘Import & Export’ tab.

After this select ‘Export to a file’ action. Press ‘Next.’

An ‘Export to a File’ box will pop up.
Select Outlook Data File (.pst) option. Click Next.

Select folders. Check Include sub-folders option as well. Hit on Next.

Browse the folder path where you need to export/save the new PST file.
It is advisable to select the ‘Replace duplicates with items exported’ option. It avoids duplicate of data.
After this click the ‘Finish’ tab.

2: Drag & Drop Method: Another simple and easiest way to execute such data file conversion is Drag & Drop method. The user just first needs to create a fresh, black PST data file. In the second stage, the user requires to choose the desired .ost folders. In the final stage, the user needs to just drop those selected folders to the newly created PST file. Experts strongly argue that this method must be selected in case only a few folders are involved. It is not recommended for the migration of large data files.

Limitations of Manual Methods:

Some of the shortcomings of the above-discussed methods are discussed below:

Time Consuming: The above methods consume ample productive hours.
Expertise: The person performing such a task must be well-aware of all stages involve in the conversion process.
Risk Factor: Any miscalculation may lead to the loss of sensitive data.
Large Folders: Experts always show red flag to manual methods when large mailboxes are involved because of risk and security of data stored in such files.
Hierarchy Distortion: Manual ways may seriously disturb the folder structure and hierarchy.
Orphaned Files: Manual approaches may fail to convert orphaned, inaccessible .ost files.

Best Way to Convert OST to PST Without Data Loss:

In many cases, the above discussed manual methods fail. This may put your valuable data at risk. Take a use case. These methods will fail to work on orphaned as well as inaccessible data files (.ost). To access data stored in such data files (orphaned/ inaccessible OST), we need to utilize a professional OST to PST converter software. We can utilize tools like Stellar Converter for OST. It quickly reads the corrupt, inaccessible .ost file and converts the same into a working and readable .pst file. This software helps prevent data loss by allowing users to recover and save mailbox folders like crucial email messages, business contacts, calendars, etc. This software is also capable of converting encrypted OST files of any size. Also, it preserves the original folder structure.

Conclusion:

The above guide we discussed how to backup OST file, manual ways for such conversion. Unfortunately, manual methods will not work in case of orphaned or inaccessible OST files. Such scenario may pose threat to valuable data stored in OST mailbox folders. So, for this we need to utilize some professional OST to PST converter software. One of the reliable tools available in the market is Stellar Converter for OST. It is smart enough to convert inaccessible OST to PST of any size. It helps users to quickly recover and save mailbox folders like email messages, contacts. etc.

Further Reading