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You may need to convert an OST file to a PST file for a number of reasons. This post shows you many ways to convert an OST file into a PST file in Microsoft Outlook. It also talks about a professional OST to PST converter tool that can turn Outlook data files (OST) that are lost or orphaned into PST and other formats with 100% accuracy.

When you set up Microsoft Outlook with an Exconvert, IMAP, or Microsoft 365 account, it makes an OST (Offline Storage Table) file that is a copy of your mailbox data that is stored on your computer. This file is connected to the account or profile that made it. So, you can't open or import the OST file into another Outlook account directly. If you need to access, move, or import OST file data onto another Outlook account or Microsoft 365, you need to convert the OST file to a PST file. Use this tutorial to find some simple ways to convert the OST file to a PST file in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, and older versions.

Why do you need to convert OST files to PST files?

You might need to convert an OST file to a PST file in a number of situations. Here are some common situations:

• Recover Data from an Orphaned OST File: An OST file becomes orphaned when the mailbox server deletes the account that was linked to it. If this happens, the only way to get to the mailbox data is to convert the OST file to a PST file.
• To move mailbox data from an OST file to another Outlook account or Office 365, you need to convert the OST file to PST format.
• Access OST Data after Server Crash: If the mailbox server goes down, you won't be able to get to your Outlook mailbox data until the server is fixed. If this happens, you can convert the OST file that goes with your Outlook account to PST and then import it into your Outlook account to get to the mailbox contents.

How to convert OST to PST in Outlook

Method 1: Move items to a new PST file by dragging and dropping them.

You can make a new PST file and then move the objects into it by dragging and dropping them. This method works, though, if you only need to convert a small number of mailbox items to PST. Here are the steps you need to follow to do this:

• Start Outlook. Go to Home, then New Items, then More Items, and finally Outlook Data File.
• Choose a place for the new PST file in the window that opens, type in a name for the file, and then click OK.
• In Outlook, you can find the new PST file in the Navigation pane.
• Then, choose the emails or other items you want to move and drag and drop them into the PST file. You may also make folders in the PST file to help you keep your mailbox data in order.

This method is easy, but it can take a long time to move emails and other stuff one at a time. Also, this method only works if you can get to your Outlook and OST file.

Step 2: Use the Import and Export Wizard

The Import/Export Wizard in Outlook lets you convert your OST file data into a PST file. But this method will only work if the OST file is open and Outlook is working well. To do this, follow the instructions below:

• Open Outlook and click on File > Open and Export.
• Click on Import/Export to activate the Import and Export Wizard.
• Choose the option to Export to a file and then click Next.
• Click Next after choosing Outlook Data File (.pst).
• To relocate the whole mailbox, click on your profile name at the top of the list, check the box next to "Include subfolders," and then click Next.
• You can choose simply the folders you want to migrate to the PST file, though.
• Click Browse to choose where to save the new PST file, pick the option you want for duplicate items, and then click Finish.
• You will be asked to create a password for the PST file. If you need to encrypt the file, set a password. Or, if you don't want to enter a password, just click OK.

After the process is done, you can find the PST file that has been convertd in the place you choose.

Method 3: Use the Archive Feature in Outlook

You can also utilize Outlook's Archive feature to convert older mailbox items from an OST file to a PST file. This is how you can accomplish it:

• To do this, open Outlook and click on File > Info.
• In Outlook 2010 and 2013, click on Archive under Cleanup Tools.
• In Outlook 2016, 2019, and 2021, go to Tools and then Clean Up Old Items.
• Choose the option to Archive this folder and all of its subfolders.
• After that, choose the folder you want to convert to PST and set a date range that works for you.
• To choose where to save the PST file, click Browse and then OK.

Method 4: Get a professional tool to convert OST to PST

The preceding methods can help you convert an OST file into a PST file, but they only function while Outlook is open and the OST file is available. But if you need to get mail items out of an OST file that is orphaned or can't be accessed, you can utilize GainTools OST to PST Converter. This trustworthy OST to PST converter program enables you get mailbox data from any size orphaned or inaccessible OST file and store it in a PST file without losing any data.

To convert an OST file to a PST file with this utility, do the following:

1. Get the software and set it up on your Windows computer.
2. Click on List Profiles. The utility will look for and list the OST files in the default place. If you choose, you can also choose the "Choose
3. Manually" option to pick the OST file by hand or from an other location.
4. Click Convert after choosing the OST file to start the conversion.
5. When the procedure is done, the program will show you a preview of all the converted OST mailbox items. Look through the items in your mailbox and choose the ones you wish to save as PST files. Under the
6. Home tab, click Save Converted File.
7. In the Save As window, pick PST and then click Next.
8. Pick where you want to save the PST file and click OK. You can also use the Advanced Filters option to sort the mailbox data by different criteria.

The utility will save the mailbox data you choose to the PST file at the location you choose. Importing this PST file into your Outlook account is easy, and you can then view your mailbox contents.

The End

There are several reasons why you might need to convert an OST file into a PST file. You can use the steps in this blog to convert an OST file into a PST file. You may use the Converter for OST to get mailbox data back from an orphaned OST file, though. This great program for converting OST files to PST files can do it in just a few clicks, even if the OST file is orphaned or can't be accessed. You may also choose which OST file items to convert based on date range or directories. The utility works with Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and earlier versions.