Convert OST to PST File Format Using Best Methods (Free & Paid)

Outlook PST files are a great way to import and export mail, and they’re also useful for backing up your inbox. On the other side, OST files cannot be imported yet contain all of your email communications. So, how can we convert OST to PST for free, ideally?

In offline (Cached Exchange) mode, Microsoft Outlook saves all Exchange mailbox data in a local file termed OST file. The changes made by the user in offline mode are updated to the server mailbox when the Exchange connection is re-established. The OST file is saved on the user’s PC, that is why it’s unaffected by Exchange Server disasters and many other events. As a result, OST files can be used to restore user mailbox data in the event of a disaster by Exchange administrators and end-users.

Primary Reasons for Conversion

You won’t have to worry about your data being mistakenly erased from the Exchange server if you export the Outlook OST file to PST.
In the event that your Exchange server crashes for whatever reason, you can still access your data.
You can save the PST files in a safe location after changing OST to PST files.
The OST files become unreachable during Exchange server maintenance. If you wish to use those files, you must first convert OST files to PST and then import them into MS Outlook.

Professional Software to Convert OST to PST (Paid Solution)

To get over the constraints, using an automated application to convert OST to PST without Outlook is advised. It will help you to export Orphaned OST, Without Exchange Profile, Without Server Connectivity, and Archived OST files.

The Converter Software for OST to PST (visit link to download the software) is a trusted tool for converting OST files to PST files safely and without risk. Without any prior knowledge, the utility efficiently repairs and converts both corrupted and non-corrupted OST files. This tool can easily be operated by both novices and pros to export their OST files without difficulty.

It also allows you to convert IMAP .ost to .pst without any file size restrictions. It allows you to see data like emails, contacts, calendars, and other mailbox items before converting them.
Steps of Using Converter Tool for OST File:

Download OST to PST Converter Software and Install, click on Add File.
Add OST File into Software Panel and Preview Complete Data.
Click on Export Button to Start The Conversion Process.
Select PST Radio Button, Browse Location to Save Exported File, and Save Locally.

Free OST to PST Conversion Methods

In the preceding section, we discussed the key reasons for converting an OST file to a PST file. However, in this section, we’ll go through some free techniques for converting OST data to PST Outlook.

1. Use Outlook Native Import/Export

Open the Microsoft Outlook program.
Now from the File menu, select the Import and Export.
Following, click Export to a file and then Next in the next box.
Now select Outlook Data File (.PST) from the drop-down menu and click Next.
Choose whether to export a folder or the full account.
Click Finish after you’ve browsed and selected the folder where you wish to save the PST file.

Note: You’ll need an Exchange server connection and Outlook installed on your local computer to use this strategy.

2. Archiving Option for Converting OST Emails

Go to File, and then Options in the Outlook application.
Select Auto Archive Settings from the Advanced menu.
Select the number of days you want auto-archiving to run for. Choose the destination folder for the archived file, as well as the archiving options, and then click OK.
This will save mailbox items from your OST file to your PST file according to your archiving settings.

Note: Except for the contacts, you can move all OST data using the archiving technique.

Drawbacks of Converting OST to PST for Free

The three manual methods for how to change OST files to PST files are listed above. These are free methods that anyone who wishes to convert an OST file to a PST file can utilize. Manual procedures, on the other hand, are not advised for individuals who cannot afford to risk their OST data. Manual approaches have limitations, and it is critical to understand them.

The manual procedure is time-consuming.
It is unpredictably unexpected.
It’s possible that they’ll need some practice to do it right.
It’s possible that data could be lost or that files will be altered.
Data security cannot be guaranteed.
Limitations on email items, etc.

If the user does not have any access to Outlook, there is only one option which is to use an OST to PST converter, which is a pricey third-party tool. I understand that you are looking for a free way to convert OST files, however, there are no such tools available.

Certainly, many tools claim to be free, but they always come with some kind of catch. They can only export a certain number of items, or they can’t read the OST file because they don’t have the Outlook profile (You can use the manual method described above if you have access to the Outlook profile)

Conclusion

If you have access to the Outlook profile, you can convert an OST file to a PST file for free. You have no choice but to utilize the conversion tool if you just have the OST file.

The number of free tools available on the internet is limited. They may display the contents of the OST file, but only a limited number of things can be exported. When it comes to converting your OST file, a superb application like OST files to PST Converter will save you a lot of time.

Note: Outlook users can also understand, how to convert EML to PST format.