Microsoft Outlook stores a synchronized copy of your mailbox data in an Offline Storage Table (OST) file on your local system.
This offline data file allows you to access items in your mailbox, including emails, contacts, calendar, notes, events, etc. even when you are offline or have low internet connectivity.
However, the OST file is linked to the user profile in which it was created. This means that you cannot access the OST file or import it to another profile or account.
So you need to export emails and other items from OST file to PST format if you want to access them or migrate them to another profile or account.
In this article, we will discuss three ways to export emails from OST file, such as import/export function, archive function and OST to PST converter . Let's look at it one by one.
Method 1 – Use Outlook’s Import/Export feature
Outlook offers an import/export feature that allows users to export emails and other items from OST file to PST format.
You can use this feature to export emails from OST file to PST file. Follow the steps below:
Note: This method will work if Outlook is working and the OST file is accessible.
Open Microsoft Outlook on your system.
Go to “File” and click “Open and Export”.
Click on the “Import/Export” option.
In the Import and Export Wizard, under “Choose an action to take,” select “Export to File,” and then click “Next.”
In the "Export to File" dialog box, select "Outlook Data File (.pst)" and click "Next."
Select the emails or folder you want to export, check the “Include subfolders” box, then click “Next”.
Now, click “Browse” to select the location where you want to save the PST file, click the “Replace duplicates with exported items” radio button, and then click “Finish”.
The application will export selected emails from OST file to PST file.
Method 2 – Use Outlook Archive Feature
You can also use Microsoft Outlook's archiving feature to export emails from an OST file to a PST file. Follow the steps below:
- In Outlook, go to File > Info > Tools, then select Clean Up Old Items.
- Next, select the Archive this folder and all subfolders option.
- Choose the folder you want to export from OST to PST.
- Enter a date in the Archive older items field.
- Select the Include items that have the “Do not automatically archive” box checked.
- Then click OK.
Limitations and disadvantages of the above methods
You can export emails from OST file to PST file using the manual methods above. However, these methods have certain limitations and disadvantages. Some of them are listed below:
- The above methods require a lot of time and effort as they involve several steps.
- Run the process, Outlook will work and the OST file will be healthy.
- The above methods will not work if the OST file is orphaned or inaccessible.
Method 3 – Use Advanced OST to PST Conversion Software
To easily and quickly export emails from OST file to PST file, you can use third-party OST to PST converter software, like Stellar Converter for OST.
It is an advanced OST to PST converter software that can export emails from encrypted, inaccessible or orphaned OST file to PST file and various other file formats without risk of data loss.
After analyzing the OST file, the software offers a detailed overview of all mailbox items in the OST file. It also has a search feature that allows you to search for emails based on various parameters, such as To, From, Subject, Message Text, etc.
The software can easily convert large or oversized OST file to PST file with ease and complete data integrity. Apart from PST format, it can save OST file items in formats like HTML, RTF, EML, MSG, etc.
It can also export the OST file items directly to an existing Outlook profile, live Exchange server and Office 365. The software supports all Outlook versions including the latest Outlook 2021 version.
Conclusion
Above we have explained different methods to export emails from OST file to PST file. Manual methods are time-consuming and require a lot of effort.
Additionally, you cannot export emails from an encrypted, orphaned or inaccessible OST file using manual methods.
To overcome the limitations of manual methods, you can use advanced OST to PST conversion software, like Stellar Converter for OST .
The software can export emails and other items from encrypted, orphaned or inaccessible OST file of any size to PST and various other file formats.
