Oftentimes, Microsoft Outlook users who are leaving their current employer want to take their mail, calendar, or contacts with them and do one of two things: delete the Microsoft Exchange account from their profile without realizing the Contacts are stored in the Exchange account or they take the OST file with them, not realizing it can only be opened using the account that created it.
If you have the OST file but no longer have access to the computer that created the OST or you don't have a restore point, you'll need to use a tool to recover the contents of the OST. A list of these tools is below.
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Beginning with Outlook 2013, Outlook was designed to permanently delete the OST data file when the account is removed from Outlook. If you deleted the account from Outlook and did not export the contents to a pst file or copied the OST file, your chances of recovering data is not good. You will need to use software to undelete files from your hard drive, but successful recovery depends on how much time has passed between deleting the account and running the undelete software as Windows will overwrite the deleted files. To see if the OST exists, type or paste %localappdata%microsoftoutlook into the address bar of File Explorer. Many of the companies that have OST to PST recovery software also have file recovery software.
There are number of file recovery programs available, including these utilities from our sponsors: DataNumen NTFS Undelete (Free), DataNumen Data Recovery, Kernel for Windows Data Recovery, and Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery
If your company uses a group policy that blocks PST creation, your choices are limited to exporting calendar and contacts to CSV (or Excel, if you have Excel at home). If you don't have many calendar or contacts, you can forward them to a personal address. If using Outlook 2007 or newer, you can send your entire calendar as an iCal.
Check company policies before taking home the contents of your mailbox.
Restore Exchange Account
If you deleted the Exchange account, you may be able to recover the account if your operating system supports system restore and you only recently deleted the account. If too much time has passed you are less likely to have a restore point available.
This method will also work with IMAP accounts in Outlook 2013 and up IF you have a copy of the IMAP data file.
Outlook 2013 and up automatically delete the account's OST file when the account is removed from Outlook. The only way you'll be able to use this method is if the OST file exists (because Outlook failed to delete it. It's rare, but it does happen.) To check, look for the OST at %localappdata%microsoftoutlook before doing a restore.
- Open the System Restore application. In Settings or the Search field on the taskbar or Start menu, type restore then select Create a restore point in the search results. Click the System Restore button to open the System Restore wizard. You can also open it by typing or pasting rstrui.exe in search field or in the Run command.
- Pick a date just before the profile was deleted then follow the steps in the wizard.
When Windows restarts the account will be back and you can move or export the contents of the OST to a PST. Then either delete the account or run restore again to return to the point made before the restore, after backing up a copy of the newly created pst file.
Method 1: Archive
You may be able to use Archive to move or copy many items to a PST. Users Exchange online archive mailboxes will not be able to archive to a pst.
Autoarchive works best when you want to move almost everything in your mailbox, however, you cannot archive Contacts. You'll need to move or copy contacts to the pst file or use Export.
Set the AutoArchive default in File, Options, Advanced, AutoArchive and apply the settings to all folders. (The AutoArchive button the Folder ribbon allows you to set a specific archive setting for the current folder.)
Then go to File, Tools, Cleanup, AutoArchive to run it.
AutoArchiving uses the last modified date so you'll need to use a low number of days when archiving recent items. In Outlook 2007 and newer, you can force AutoArchive to use the Received Date. See Using Microsoft Outlook's Autoarchive feature
If you use this method and also need the Contacts, you'll need to move them to the new data file.
Method 2: Export to a PST
Although Export is not usually recommended, it works well for moving content from an OST to a PST file. You can export all content from the OST to a PST or just the calendar and contacts. If your company blocks the creation of PST files, export Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks to CSV or Excel format.
You'll use this method if you are moving to a new server and need to migrate your own email (or if the server died and there are not backups). Make sure you start Outlook offline so that you don't connect to the new server; connecting to the new server has the potential to delete the mail in the offline file. Export everything to a pst then remove your account and use auto account setup to add it back to your profile.
Method 3: Move the items to a new PST
Create a new PST in your profile and drag the folders you want to take with you to the PST. This method will preserve custom views and forms published to folder.
Dragging default folders, such as Inbox, Calendar, and Contacts, brings up a message that you can't move default folders. The contents will be copied instead, with the folder named Inbox (1), Calendar (1), etc.
Method 4: Forward by E-mail
Export Ost To Pst Free
If you don't have too many items you want to keep, you can email them to your personal email address. Select the item(s), right click and choose Forward or click Ctrl+F. If you have a lot of messages you want to keep, you could drag them to a folder in Documents, then zip the folder and email the zip file.
If you forward the messages to an account that is opened in Outlook, you can drag attached messages from the incoming message and drop it in the Inbox or another folder.
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If you are using Outlook 2007 or newer, you can email the entire calendar as a single iCal, provided you use Outlook or another calendaring application that supports multi-event icals at home. Outlook 2003 and older versions of Outlook do not support multi-event icals.
To create the iCalendar file, you can right click on the Calendar folder and choose Share, Email Calendar. If you want to create the iCalendar file and do something with it later, select the calendar folder, then go to File, Save Calendar.
When you use Email calendar, a dialog will let you choose the date range and other options. If you are saving the calendar to your hard drive, click More Options in the Save as dialog to open this dialog.
The defaults are Today and Availability only; you'll most likely want to use whole calendar and full details. Note that some calendars don't support attachments; if you are including attachment you should save a second copy that does not include attachments.
OST to PST export utilities
If you have an orphaned OST and can't recover the account using System Restore, you'll need to use a utility to export the contents to a pst file.
The free OST2PST utility will only work with OST files created by Outlook 2002 and older. If you aren't sure what version of Outlook you used, try it; an error means the OST is not the correct type.
Tools in the Spotlight
4Team OST2 | OST2 Free Edition can convert up to 5 items in each folder of orphaned OST file. Use Enterprise Edition to convert and transfer all OST files to Microsoft Outlook. Import and export OST and PST files, from and to Microsoft Outlook, Exchange, Office 365, Outlook.com, Google and G Suite. Updated OST2 comes with improved performance of the software. Updated OST2 Software includes better handling of big Outlook data files and better handling of the application on different computer environments. |
DataNumen Exchange Recovery | DataNumen Exchange Recovery repairs and recovers corrupted Microsoft Exchange offline storage (.ost) files. Exchange Recovery can scan orphaned OST files and recover mail messages and other items, including folders, posts, appointments, meeting requests, contacts, distribution lists, tasks, journals and notes. The recovered items are saved in PST format readable by Outlook, Other important features: recover attachments and deleted items, recover oversized 2GB OST files, support to convert OST files into PST files. |
Kernel for OST to PST | Kernel for OST to PST software is the one-stop solution for all OST file corruption issues. It effectively repairs corrupt OST file and converts it into Outlook accessible PST file format. Individual email items can be saved in different formats including PST, MBOX, TXT, RTF, HTML, EML, MHTML, MSG and PDF. It also provides option to export OST files to Office 365 and different email servers and web mails. It supports all versions of MS Outlook (2016), MS Exchange Server (2016) and Windows OS (Windows 10). Free trial version of the tool is also available. |
Recoveryfix for OST to PST | Exchange OST to PST email conversion tool to convert OST file to PST file. Convert working or unusable OST file to into PST file. Use it to migrates all Outlook items from Exchange Offline Storage (.OST) file to Personal Storage File (.PST). Software converts and repairs the offline storage file (ost) to personal storage (pst) file so that it can be easily accessed with Outlook. Other saving options include .EML and .MSG where former is accessible with Outlook Express and latter with Outlook. If the ost file gets corrupt or damaged, OST to PST functions as ost recovery software. |
Stellar Converter for OST | Stellar OST recovery software is the most efficient tool to convert Outlook OST file to PST file. The software successfully recovers all the components of .ost file such as emails, contacts calendar entries, attachments etc. The tool is able to convert OST file to working PST file in any instance of corruption. Free demo version is also available that previews all recoverable items of inaccessible .ost file. |
Tools
OST PST viewer is a free and powerful tool that will help you to open and work with OST, PST and other Outlook file formats without Microsoft Outlook installed. It can open orphaned or any size files created by any version of Outlook. PST file viewer is the right tool for users who have lots of PST files and don't want to connect each of them to Outlook. With the enterprise edition, you can change read/unread or follow up status of emails. Use advanced search to find exactly what you are looking for in your PST files. Version 1.10 |
Kernel OST Viewer is a FREE utility to view the contents of OST files. It does not require Outlook installation. A connection with Exchange is also not required. Just select the OST file and it will mount it in its Outlook like GUI instantly. |
Free tool to convert older *.OST files to *.PST files. Works with ANSI format only, will not work with OST created by Outlook 2003/2007. |
Stellar Toolkit for Outlook is a comprehensive software package to manage and optimize Microsoft Outlook profile. Get tools to repair damaged or corrupt PSTs, convert OST to PST, merge Outlook PST files, split or compact large PST files, and more. |
More Information
Repair a damaged Outlook PST file
Housekeeping and Message Management Tools
Both Offline Files and Personal Folders Files Stop Accepting Data
Can anyone suggest me a truly freeware software to convert an offline OST file to PST format for MS Outlook 2010. All the so called freeware listing in Google are not truly freeware and are feature limited until I upgrade to a paid version, and I just need this for one time and therefore not ready to pay $99. I want to read the OST and just save it to a Outlook 2010 PST format.
Try free tool : http://answers.oreilly.com/topic/12628-ost-to-pst-converter-with-easy-to-use-portal-apps/
Follow the blog http://www.loveinfographics.com/categories/how-to-guides/converter-tools-for-ost-to-pst-infographic
Here complete conversion for OST to PST given...You can use ost to pst conversion tool from http://www.convertosttopstfree.com
HI,
There are many solution to convert OST file to PST file, But If you have lost your email from OST file due to file corruption then conversion is not a solution. So I am sharing tool which can help to repair your damaged OST file then convert into PST file format. Download demo version from here : http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/OST-to-PST-Converter-to-33b84a13
Hi Marshal,
Thanks for you suggestion. I follow your suggested and finally get successful competition in conversion process.Regards:
Russell
Try OST Converter to easily restore emails from ost files.
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/17884.ost-to-pst-converter.aspxyes indeed, the problem seems to be solved initially but i think you are again going with some 3rd party app.
Hello Raaja,
Have a look on http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/Commonly-encountered-39414c6c
I think your problem will be solved.Hello Phill,
I referred you but it shows it is not published. I don't know the reason about broken or might be it is happening at my end so please once check & correct it.
Being as Outlook expert, i would like to explore about ost and pst file. Both files created by ms outlook. PST with pop3 and ost with exchange server. You can export the entire data into pst format from an ost file if ost file is opening and syncing with outlook & exange. However ost file is orphan or corrupt then need of any ost pst converter is very genuine but no freebies are available so far. Here is a project that elaborates about an ost pst convert & recovery process as well as about an absolute converter tool. Hopefully, it will help you all.
Below you will find a link to an article that may have what you need. It goes through the various options to convert them. Plus it lists some secondary tools that can be used to accomplish your task. Good luck with the conversion.
This article recommends all the tools we have banned from Answers.
Shareware vendors have been spamming us systematically. They even post questions, just to follow-up with links to their shareware crap. This includes any software from Kernel, Stellar Phoenix, or Systools, to just name the worst offenders.
If you remember your Exchange credentials for the file, you should be able to simply open it with Outlook (even without the Exchange server being available - after all, that is what the OST is for), create a new PST file, and copy whatever you want into it. Of course, this is assuming that you already have a copy of Outlook. You may want to create a new profile for the process so it has no chance of interfering with any other existing accounts if you are paranoid.
Bruce,
That would have been the easiest way, unfortunately my friend for whom I am doing this, cannot remember his Exchange credentials.
Outlook 2010 won't let the OST file be 'opened' - it simply keeps saying that it isn't a mail file.
How can I convert my OST file into PST file?
//www.makeuseof.com/answers/conovert-ost-file-pst-file/None of them are truly freeware where I can save the OST to PST. They show the recovery preview, but all the version have the saving option disabled, until I pay. :(
Exactly no free tools are available so far. As it is sure that ost converter application is required to do pst to pst file conversion if exchange server is no longer available. At this time, you should go with a feature-enriched and error-free application only. Directly download free edition of a product [LINK REMOVED to protect our readers] that is able to repair corrupt ost, recover deleted emails and convert ost into PST, EML & MSG formats.
Sorry Adam, we do not allow direct downloads to suspicious software, which is probably shareware.
#1ZOOK OST to PST Converter
ZOOK OST to PST Converter is a tool used to convert OST to PST format along with all the data items. It also supports the OST file associated with Hotmail account configured in MS Outlook.
Windows
Free- Varies by plan
Tracy MillerWritten on June 1, 2018'Suberb Tool!!@ It is an excellent solution for users to export OST to PST format without any extra efforts. It allows user to convert corrupt, orphaned, damaged, IMAP OST files into PST format without any alteration of data. Moreover the tool is fully capable to convert OST files of any Outlook version i.e. Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, etc. I am fully satisfied with the performance of this tool. And I am going to recommend it to everyone.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#2ATS OST to PST Converter
ATS OST to PST Converter is a software for Windows that allows you to transform an OST file to PST easily. It also helps you recover OST files, and all your Outlook data and messages in a PST format.
Windows
Free- Varies by plan
ricky bellWritten on January 15, 2018'ATS OST to PST converter software is most useful & secure software using this tool user can easily repair & recover emails from unreadable Exchange Outlook OST file. It gives authority to migrate every OST emails item such as like mail item, calendar, contacts, journals, notes, and meeting into new healthy working PST outlook comfortably. Export OST file to PST efficiently supports any versions of MS Outlook office-365, 2016, 2013 & all lower version.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#3Zamzar
Free online file conversion website that lets you convert PDF files to several ebook formats, as well as image, video, audio, CAD, Document and Web formats. Zamzar is a free online converter which, apart from converting PDF files, it also helps convert documents between specified file types such as MP3, MP4, EPUB, DOC, JPG JPEG, CR2, CRW, HTML, ODP, texts, PDF, CSV, DWG, GIF, and, many more.
Free
Jane HoffmanWritten on November 12, 2017'This is great. I've had several occasions where I had only the .ost to work with and nothing else. At least I can get their old mail back at this website. I also like I don't have to download any software to do it either. I've definitely bookmarked this site so I can easily come here in the future. 'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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Free Ost To Pst Tool
Other stuff you might like..
Export Ost To Pst Free
#4Online-convert.com
This free online file converter lets you convert media easy and fast from one format to another. Online-Convert support a lot of different source formats, just try.Free
Roy SimmonsWritten on November 11, 2017'I convert media all the time. I do this for both pleasure and business. Online-Convert took things from different sources and was able to change the format whenever I Needed it done. This worked perfectly for my needs'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#5Convertio
Convertio is an online free file converter. It supports 12918 different conversions for video, audio, document, ebook, and image formats. It also offers advanced tools for splitting, merging, compressing and unlocking PDF files.Free
Scott CollinsWritten on November 9, 2017'While this is a good converter and free, it doesn't support OST to PST conversion. I was really hoping to be able to convert my email documents.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#6Convert Files
Free online conversion from PDF and others to Kindle and other ebook reader friendly formats. It also supports conversion for audio, video and other formats.Free
Julia CoxWritten on November 14, 2017'Good converter you can convert almost anything on the internet from videos, pictures, or articles. Converted files are very clean and clear, excellent app'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#7Aryson OST to PST Converter
This software developed by Aryson can be a really good help when it comes the time of converting formats in your MS Outlook account. You will be able to convert OST to PST by downloading this software for free, or by purchasing it for enjoying all its features.
Web
Free
ricky bellWritten on January 15, 2018'I would like to suggest and share information for instants solution for corrupt Exchange OST file, Download ATS Exchange OST to PST Converter tool to repair & recover corrupt OST file and export OST to PST file. I am using this tool my review for ATS OST to PST Converter software 5 point out of 5. 'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#8Foxy Utils
Foxy Utils is an online utility website that includes many features. We can find a useful merging tool for pdf files that is completely free.Free- Varies by plan
Elizabeth ReynoldsWritten on November 15, 2017'Often I create different files at different times, but find that I want to merge them to achieve a particular outcome. Foxy Utils gives me this desired result. It is user friendly and directs me each step of the way how to select my files and how to format them in a way that will merge them into an acceptable way.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#9SysData OST to PST 2.0
SysData OST to PST 2.0 is a tool which will convert your OST file to PST, MSG & HTML file formats. This is also helpful to offline OST file into live Exchange mailbox and Office 365.
Windows
Free- Varies by plan
SysData ToolsWritten on May 28, 2018'This tool can convert OST file to PST in all situations as well offer to convert OST to MSG, EML, MBOX, HTML, vCard, vCal, Office 365 & you can directly migrate data into Live Exchange server mailbox. Rest you can know by using this tool.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#10GSTECH OST to PST Converter Tool
GSTECH OST to PST Recovery Software allows you to repair Corrupt OST files, recover offline OST files and convert OST files to PST, EML, MSG, HTML and Vcard.
Windows
Free
Grace CollinsWritten on April 17, 2018Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#11Gael OST to PST Converter
Gael OST to PST Converter is a tool which will easily convert Exchange Offline file into .pst file format without any kind of alteration in email metadata.
Windows
Free- Varies by plan
Bela ColemanWritten on May 26, 2018'its very fare solution software to convert OST files into PST'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#12OST4
OST4 is a free software for converting OST files to PST format. It features a fast exporting of Original Meta Information and repairing mail data in various formats such as EML, MSH, PST, and HTML.
Windows
Free
OST 4Written on July 21, 2018'OST4 OST to PST Converter tool provides an option to split the file before saving it as PST. The software follows an advanced methodology to divide the PST files without converting the original competence and formatting of emails. The main purpose of developing this tool is that it fetches out preferable service when converted offline OST file to PST file. It can easily repair your damage OST data file then recover and convert them into Outlook PST file without Installing MS Outlook to Export OST as PST EML, EMLX, vCard, vCal, MSG, and MBOX file format which include inbox, outbox, sent-items, deleted-items, drafts, contacts, calendars, notes (to, cc, bcc, subject, date and time) without difficulty.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#13OST to PST Recovery & Conversion Software
OST to PST Recovery & Conversion Software allows you to recover damaged and encrypted OST files and convert OST to PST files. This tool ensures that the original structure of the OST file remains preserved during the conversion.Windows
Free- $49
avi gWritten on February 24, 2018'Effortlessly recovery of inaccessible OST File and Convert OST File to PST file, EML, MSG, HTML, EMLX and many more format with using the best OST to PST Conversion Software of eSoftTools. OST to PST Software helps users for conversion selective single and multiple OST folders and restore with emails, contacts, calendars, task, notes, inbox items, outbox items, journals and appointments and supports all MS Outlook file versions included- 97, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016. 'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#14SysOZ OST to PST Converter
SysOZ OST to PST Converter is a software that recovers encrypted files, maintains original email Meta Data structures and extract OST file folders. It also offers export options and supports ANSI and Unicode PST.
Windows
Free- Varies by plan
OST EXPERTWritten on January 7, 2019'free download software support live exchange server & office 365'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#15Inspire OST to PST Converter
Inspire OST to PST Converter is a software which will convert OST to PST file format without losing any data. It can also recover and repair corrupted Exchange OST files from its emails, contacts, journal, calendars and more.
Windows
Free- $99
EmmaWritten on November 30, 2018'Inspire OST Converter software is the excellent software. I compare on other software program but it's only the handiest software which fulfills all features.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#16Dux OST to PST Recovery
Dux OST to PST Recovery is a software which retrieves damaged and lost OST files from emails, calendars, and contacts. It also exports an OST file to a PST file format and split exported file into a smaller size.
Windows
Free- $49
Isabella SmithWritten on April 18, 2019'Dux OST to PST Recovery software helps get back damage OST emails from inaccessible database and save/export OST to PST file.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#17DataHelp OST to PST Converter Wizard
DataHelp OST to PST Converter Wizard is a software offered by DataHelp. It is a tool for changing OST files into PST files. It maintains the folder organization and has customizable migration features.
Windows
Free- $49
Venn TorrenceWritten on November 27, 2018'DataHelp OST to PST converter provides an option for users to convert multiple OST files into a single PST file, it also allows the user to create a separate PST file for each OST file. With this software, the user can easily export OST to PST with entire data items. The software is easy to user & effective in OST to PST conversion process.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#18Softaken OST File Exporter
Softaken OST File Exporter is a software which supports the conversion of all types of data of OST files to a PST format without any changes. This can also recover exchanger server Outlook OST files.
Windows
Free- $49
Robert MunroWritten on March 22, 2019'OST file exporter is a smart professional tool that enables users to select OST file into PST file format. The software easily exports all email components without any data loss within a few seconds. 100% healthy results with fastest conversion speed.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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#19Advik OST to PST Converter
Advik OST to PST Converter is a tool which will convert OST file to PST file without any changes or losing any of your data. This has an unlimited data conversion and there is no file size limitation.
Windows
Free- Varies by plan
CompareKarWritten on August 24, 2018'This tool is amazing. It offers multiple saving option apart from PST. Yes, you can convert OST to PST, EML, MSG, MBOX, EMLX, XPS and many other file formats. An all in one toolkit. Great Experience.'Thanks for voting! Please tell us why you like it!
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