Convert OST to PST Without Outlook Installed – Best Methods

Summary: When an OST file grows too large, it acts like a dead weight for Microsoft Outlook. It can slow Outlook to a crawl, often resulting in lag and “Not Responding” messages. Hence, it is best to convert OST file to PST to lighten the load on the active mailbox. In this blog, we will look at the benefits of the OST to PST conversion. Along with that, we’ll discuss various techniques to convert the OST file to a PST file format. For an enterprise-level grade migration, a specialized tool, the MCD OST to PST Converter, is used that performs bulk OST conversion. 

Why Do Users Migrate OST to PST File?

PST files enable users to archive old data, reduce mailbox size, and for smooth migration of email data. The following are the reasons why this migration is useful:

• An OST file is linked to a single Outlook profile. By converting it to a PST format, users can access it on other systems.
• Users convert their OST to a PST format to keep a portable copy of their emails and other email metadata.
• Unlike OST files, PST files are more convenient when transferring the mailbox data to another account or an Outlook account.
• Before the user upgrades to a new computer, they tend to save their OST file to a PST file format.
• The PST files are useful for archiving old emails and thereby reducing the mailbox size.

Different Methods to Convert OST File to PST File Format

After reviewing the benefits of OST to PST file conversion, let us move to the other section. In this section, we’ll execute the solutions to successfully convert the OST files to the PST file format.

Manual Solution 01: Convert Outlook OST to PST 

The built-in Auto-Archive feature in Microsoft Outlook automatically moves older OST emails to PST format. 

The following are the steps to start the process:

1. In MS Outlook, click on the File tab.
2. After that, click on Options > Advanced.
3. In the AutoArchive section, press the AutoArchive Settings.
4. Next, check Run the AutoArchive every X days.
5. Then, select Archive or delete old items > Move old items to and browse the location to save the PST file.
6. Furthermore, select or create a new PST file and click on Ok.

Limitations: This method does not archive the entire OST file. It does not automatically archive the calendars, contacts, and certain folders.

Manual Solution 02: Export OST to PST 

In this approach, users first export the mailbox data from an OST file to a PST file. It uses the built-in Import/Export feature of Microsoft Outlook to export the OST file to a PST file.

Use the following instructions to start the process:

1. First, open the Microsoft Outlook application.
2. Then, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Export to a file.
3. After that, choose Outlook Data File > Next and choose the Outlook OST file.
4. Next, select Include subfolders and browse where you want to save the PST file.
5. Finally, click on the Finish button.

Limitations: If the OST file is inaccessible or orphaned, the process may fail to convert. Also, if the OST file is oversized, it will affect the Outlook performance. 

Bulk Convert OST File to PST Without Outlook Installed 

The OST to PST Converter is a robust software that helps make the task of converting an OST file created by Microsoft Outlook to a PST file easy. It provides an option for converting multiple OST files to PST files simultaneously and quickly through the batch convert function. Also it allows users to convert OST to EML format and other file formats. This has the added benefit of enabling users to preview their mailboxes after the conversion. Additionally, the converter contains a feature that removes duplicate emails from multiple parameters while preserving the integrity of the data.

Simple steps to convert OST to PST:

1. Download the software, install it, and launch it on your system.
   
 
2. Then, choose either Single File/Multiple Files or Select Folder and click Next.
   
 
3. After that, use the Select File option and locate the required OST file.
   
 
4. From the tree structure, choose the folders you wish to convert.
   
 
5. Select PST from the available list of File Formats. 
   
 
6. Configure the optional features and set the saving location.
   
 
7. Finally, press Convert to initiate the conversion process.
   

Conclusion

To keep your mailbox data safe and easily accessible, it is important to convert OST file to PST file. Manual methods can be done through Outlook’s built-in features; however, OST to PST Converter provides the user with a reliable means of converting OST files into PST format. With this software, you will experience 100% accuracy with your data being retained in the same condition as it was prior to conversion and free from all types of alterations. In addition, there is a free trial version available for download to test this software before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions