Many Outlook users don’t know about the OST and PST files.
- OST (Offline Storage Table): This is a copy of your mailbox stored on your computer. It allows you to read and draft emails when you have no internet. It is tied to your specific email account and server.
- PST (Personal Storage Table): This is an independent backup file. It is used to archive old emails or move data between different computers and Outlook versions.
How to Convert OST to PST (The Solution)
If you have an OST file but cannot open it (perhaps because the email account was deleted or the server is down), you must convert it to a PST to access your data.
Method 1: Using Outlook (If the account is still active)
- Open Outlook and go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- Select Export to a file and click Next.
- Choose Outlook Data File (.pst).
- Select the folders you want to export and save the file.
Method 2: Using Professional Tools (If the account is inactive)
If Outlook won’t open or the OST is “orphaned,” manual export won’t work. In these cases, using a dedicated utility like Softaken OST to PST Converter is the most effective way to extract your data. It restores your emails, contacts, and folders into a new PST file that you can easily import back into any Outlook profile.