Step-by-Step Guide to Converting OST to PST

In the business world, emails are a crucial tool for communication and daily management. However, there are times when errors prevent us from accessing our emails, contacts, or calendars stored in OST files. To address this, it is necessary to convert these files to a more accessible format like PST. Let’s see how to do this process safely and efficiently.

What is an OST file?

OST files, or Offline Storage Tables, allow us to work in Microsoft Outlook without being connected to the mail server. When we set up our account on an Exchange or IMAP server, Outlook downloads a local copy of our mailbox into an OST file. This enables us to continue managing our emails, calendars, contacts, and tasks, even if we have no Internet connection or the server is unavailable.

The OST file automatically syncs with the server when we reconnect, ensuring that everything we’ve done locally is updated both on our device and on the server. If there’s a failure on the server or the OST file becomes corrupted, we lose access to our data. In these cases, converting the OST file to a more accessible format like PST is the best solution to recover the information.

Manual conversion or dedicated apps?

When it comes to converting an OST file to PST, we have two main options: resort to manual methods or use specialized tools. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice will largely depend on our situation and what we want to achieve.

Manual methods, such as exporting data through Microsoft Outlook, are a simple solution. This process involves opening the OST file in Outlook (if accessible) and exporting the mailbox content to a PST file using Outlook’s “Import and Export” function. However, the manual process is only viable if we still have access to the email account and if the OST file is not damaged or inaccessible.

Large files, or those containing corrupt elements, can cause errors during the export, which could result in the loss of emails, contacts, or calendar events. Moreover, the manual process does not allow for the conversion of encrypted OST files, which is a problem in environments where additional security measures are used.

In situations where we need to convert multiple OST files or large files, the manual process can become extremely slow and prone to errors. This is where specialized tools prove their worth by offering a more efficient and secure solution.

What makes Stellar Converter for OST stand out?

Stellar Converter for OST is specifically designed to handle situations where manual methods fail. Its tools allow us to convert inaccessible, encrypted, or damaged OST files directly into PST files without needing access to the Exchange or IMAP server.

Stellar Converter for OST has a range of features that make it the ideal choice for converting OST files to PST. Here are some of its most important functionalities:

1. Conversion of inaccessible OST files: One of the main advantages of this tool is its ability to convert OST files that cannot be opened in Outlook due to synchronization issues or because the email account has been deleted from the server.
2. Compatibility with large and encrypted files: Unlike other solutions, Stellar Converter for OST can handle large OST files without errors, which is vital when working with old emails or files containing a large volume of data. Moreover, it can convert encrypted OST files, ensuring that we can access all our data, even if they are protected by security measures.
3. Preview before conversion: The software allows us to preview the data contained in the OST file before performing the conversion. This is extremely useful, as it lets us verify that all mailbox elements are present and in good condition before saving them in a PST file.
4. Export to multiple formats: In addition to converting OST to PST, Stellar Converter for OST offers us the option to export our data in other formats, such as EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF. This flexibility is welcome when accessing and using the converted information in different applications or environments.
5. Compatibility with the latest versions of Outlook: The software is compatible with a wide range of Microsoft Outlook versions, from Outlook 2007 to the latest version of Office 365, ensuring that we can work with any version we have installed.
6. Direct migration to Office 365: The “Technician” version of Stellar Converter for OST offers a feature that allows us to directly migrate the converted data to an Office 365 account or a live Exchange server, simplifying the migration process for companies that are changing servers or platforms.

Step-by-Step Guide to Converting OST to PST with Stellar Converter

Converting OST files to PST using Stellar Converter for OST is a straightforward process that does not require technical knowledge. The first step before starting the conversion is to install the app. Here we simply download Stellar Converter for OST from its official page, run it, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 1: Select the OST file

Once we have installed Stellar Converter for OST on our system, we open it and encounter the main interface of the software. The first step in the conversion process is to select the OST file we want to convert.

If we know the exact location of the OST file on our system, we can click on the “Select File” button and navigate to the location where the file is stored. If we do not know where the OST file is located, the software offers us the option to search for it automatically. To do this, we click on the “Search File” option, and the program will take care of locating all the OST files available on the system.

Step 2: Start the conversion

Once we have selected the OST file we want to convert, we click on the “Convert” button. The software will begin to analyze the file, a process that can take several minutes depending on the size of the file and the amount of data it contains. During this time, Stellar Converter for OST examines all the elements stored in the OST file, including emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, and attachments.

This analysis is a key step, as the software not only converts the file but also ensures that all data are recovered intact and without errors. If the file is damaged or contains corrupt elements, Stellar Converter is capable of repairing and recovering those data during the conversion process.

Step 3: Preview the converted data

Once the conversion process has been completed, Stellar Converter for OST will show us a detailed preview of all the mailbox elements that have been converted. This preview is presented in a tree structure, with the folders and subfolders of the mailbox clearly organized in the left panel.

We can navigate through the various folders, such as the inbox, sent items, calendars, contacts, and more, and click on any of them to view their content in the preview panel.

Step 4: Save the PST file

After reviewing the data and confirming that everything is in order, it’s time to save the converted file in PST format. To do this, we click on the “Save Converted File” button. The software will offer us several format options in which we can save the file, including PST, EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF. In this case, we select PST, which is the format compatible with Outlook.

Next, we need to choose a location on our system where we want the PST file to be saved. After selecting the location, we click on “Save,” and Stellar Converter for OST will proceed to create the PST file with all the selected mailbox elements.

Step 5 (Optional): Import the PST file into Outlook

The last step, although optional, is to import the PST file we have saved into Microsoft Outlook to access the converted data. To do this, we open Outlook and follow these steps:

1. Go to the “File” tab in Outlook.
2. Click on “Open and Export” and select “Import/Export.”
3. Choose the option “Import from another program or file” and select “Outlook Data File (.pst).”
4. Navigate to the location where we saved the PST file and select it.
5. Outlook will begin importing all the data from the PST file, including emails, contacts, calendars, and other elements.

Once the import process is complete, we will be able to access all the converted elements directly from Outlook, allowing us to manage and use our data normally.

Stellar Converter for OST: The Ideal Solution

Stellar Converter for OST emerges as a very complete and robust solution for converting OST files to PST safely and effectively. We have seen how this tool not only facilitates the conversion of inaccessible files but also offers advanced features such as the conversion of encrypted files, batch conversion, and direct migration to Office 365.

Stellar Converter for OST stands out for its ability to handle large files and for offering multiple export options, making it a versatile tool that adapts to the needs of individual users as well as large companies. The ability to preview data before conversion and the guarantee that all mailbox elements will remain intact are key advantages over other solutions available on the market.

With everything considered, Stellar Converter for OST not only helps us solve common problems related to the inaccessibility of OST files but also provides a solution for managing, migrating, and protecting our email data efficiently.