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Top 5 Ways to Convert OST to Outlook PST Files

OST (Offline Storage Table) and PST (Personal Storage Table) are two commonly used file formats in Microsoft Outlook. While OST files are used to store offline data synchronized from an Exchange server, PST files are used for storing personal mailbox data. There are instances when users need to convert OST files to PST format, such as when migrating to a new Outlook version, recovering data from a corrupt OST file, or accessing OST data on a different system. In this blog, we will discuss the top 5 methods to convert OST to Outlook PST files, providing you with various options to accomplish this task efficiently.

  1. Method 1: Microsoft Outlook Import/Export Wizard: The simplest and built-in method to convert OST to PST is by using the Import/Export Wizard in Microsoft Outlook. Follow these steps:
  2. Open Microsoft Outlook and go to the “File” tab.
  3. Select “Open & Export” and then click on “Import/Export.”
  4. In the Import and Export Wizard, choose “Export to a file” and click “Next.”
  5. Select “Outlook Data File (.pst)” as the file type and click “Next.”
  6. Choose the OST file you want to convert and select the destination folder for the new PST file.
  7. Click “Finish” to start the conversion process.
  8. Method 2: OST to PST Converter Software: There are several third-party software tools available specifically designed for OST to PST conversion. These tools offer advanced features and a user-friendly interface to convert OST files without any technical expertise. Some popular OST to PST converter tools. These tools can efficiently convert OST files to PST format while preserving the folder hierarchy, email properties, attachments, and other data elements.
  9. Method 3: Manual Method (Export-Mailbox cmdlet): For users with advanced technical skills and experience working with PowerShell, the Export-Mailbox cmdlet in Exchange Management Shell can be used to convert OST to PST. This method requires administrative access to the Exchange server. Here are the steps:
  10. Open Exchange Management Shell.
  11. Run the following command to export OST mailbox to PST: Export-Mailbox -Identity <MailboxIdentity> -PSTFolderPath <PathToSavePST> Replace <MailboxIdentity> with the mailbox you want to export and <PathToSavePST> with the desired location to save the PST file.
  12. Method 4: Online OST to PST Conversion Services: Several online services offer OST to PST conversion, eliminating the need to install any software. These services typically require you to upload the OST file to their servers, and they will convert it to PST format. Examples of such services include OST2PST.online, CoolUtils OST to PST Converter, and OnlineOST2PST.com. However, it’s essential to consider the security and privacy of your data when using online services.
  13. Method 5: Exchange Server Mailbox Export: If you have access to an Exchange Server environment, you can use the Exchange Server’s built-in features to export the OST mailbox to a PST file. This method requires administrative access to the Exchange server. Here’s how:
  14. Launch the Exchange Management Shell.
  15. Execute the following command to export the mailbox to PST: New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox <MailboxIdentity> -FilePath <PathToSavePST> Replace <MailboxIdentity> with the mailbox you want to export and <PathToSavePST> with the desired location to save the PST file.

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