Offline data files are automatically created by the MS Outlook email client for offline data access and backup. It stores all our data as a local backup. This file syncs and stores all emails, mailboxes, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, journals, etc. from your email account.
If you have one or more OST files from an old computer and want to access it on another computer with any version of Outlook, then you need to convert OST to PST files because there is no other option available to directly import or open OST files in the Outlook application.
What are OST and PST?
OST and PST both are data storage files of Outlook. When we configure Outlook with IMAP so Outlook stores data in OST and PST both formats and when we configure Outlook with POP so Outlook stores data in PST format. Outlook users already know that Outlook supports only PST files and if users want to open any file in Outlook, they need to convert that file into PST and after that users will be able to open the file in Outlook.
How to Open OST File in Outlook?
To open an OST file in Outlook you have to convert your data into PST format. But to convert your OST file into PST you have to use a third-party tool OST to PST Converter. Because there is no manual method available to perform this task.
Here we will use BitRecover OST to PST Converter Wizard. You can easily convert corrupted or damaged files via this tool. There is no chance of data loss while using this software. This tool has a very simple interface and it is very user-friendly. Some amazing features of this tool are given below-
- It converts OST to PST with emails, contacts, calendars, journals, tasks, notes, etc.
- It doesn’t change the original file format
- It can also convert orphaned OST to PST
- There is no size limit for the OST file, it can convert any size of the OST file into PST
- Convert OST to PST without Outlook & server connectivity
Follow the given steps to start the process of conversion-
Step-1. Download and install the software in your device
Step-2. Login with your credential
Step-3. After that this tool can automatically load OST file from your system
Step-4. You can preview OST files and select specific data for conversion, click on the “Next” button
Step-5. Then choose the “PST” format under “Select Saving Option”
Step-6. You can choose the “Destination Path” if you want to save resultant data on the desktop and click on the “Convert” button.
Within a few minutes, your conversion will be completed and a message of completion shown on your screen, click the “OK” button to confirm.
Now you have to just Import your data into Outlook and then you can easily open it.
Methods to Import OST Files into Outlook
Here is the manual method through which you can easily import your data into Outlook. Follow the given steps to import your data
Step-1. Open Outlook
Step-2. Click on “File” which is top-left of the screen
Step-3. Tap on “Open & Export” then “Import/Export
Step-3. After that Go to “Import from another program or file” and click on the “Next” button
Step-4. Select the “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and tap on the “Next” button
Step-5. Choose the file which you want to Import by clicking on “Browse” and clicking on the “Next” button
Your importation process will start and after a few seconds you can open your data
Open OST File In Outlook – Guide Explained
Here we took time to explain the solution to your problem and tried to provide you the best solution through which you can easily complete your task. After following this article you can easily open OST file in Outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions by Users-
- Can I access an OST file in Outlook 365?
Office 365 doesn’t support OST files, users need to extract the data from the local OST to PST format to import the data in Office 365.
- What is the difference between OST and PST?
Both file formats are used for data storage, OST files save data in Offline mode while PST files save data in the client’s local disk
- Why do we need PST file?
PST is an Outlook data file and is used to store all data of Outlook such as emails, contacts, calendar events, notes and journals. It contains all Outlook folders.
- Does PST file are automatically created by Outlook
PST file is the default file format of Outlook. If you configure an Outlook account with IMAP or POP, Outlook will automatically create a PST file.
- How do OST files get corrupted?
Whenever users’ hard disks crashed down. The complete stored data become inaccessible or corrupted. As we know OST files are stored on the local drive so they may become corrupted media failures.
