Convert OST to PST using these expert recommended methods without any hassles. You can convert OST to PST manually or by a converter software.

How to Convert Outlook OST to PST – Verified Methods

You can easily convert OST to PST format in Outlook 2019/2017/2016 by either doing a manual conversion, or through the use of professional OST to PST converter software.
In this blog, you’ll learn:

• A brief overview of OST and PST files
• Manual Methods to convert OST to PST file format
• Enterprise tool for OST to PST conversion
• Key Takeaways

OST and PST Outlook Files

OST is a file format used to store email messages of email clients like Outlook, Apple Mail. It is used to store email messages in offline machine which can be later accessed.
A PST file is a file format for the personal storage folder in Outlook. It stores email messages along with other metadata like subject, date, contacts, address, attachments, etc.

Given the popularity and user base of Outlook, it is no surprise that users face nwe kinds of issues periodically. One such issue, and the one we’ll tackle today, is to use the Outlook OST files in a different system on which Outlook is installed.
Oh, and spoiler alert- you cannot open Outlook OST files in a different system as it is. If you want to use the data in these OST files, you first need to convert these OST files into PST format.
I have explained multiple methods below, in a step-by-step manner, that you can use to convert OST to PST format easily.
Why multiple methods, you ask? Well, everone is different so are their situations and needs. What will work for one person, might not do the job for another. So, whatever your situation, you can use one of these methods and easily get done with the OST to PST conversion.

Manual Methods to Convert OST Files to PST Format

The following manual methods are recommended by experts to be most the reliable ones for OST to PST conversion:

1. Outlook Drag/Drop Method
2. Outlook Archive Method for Conversion
3. Import/Export Method

Now, let’s look into each method separately…

Method#1: Drag/Drop Method in Outlook

This is the simplest of all the methods. Just follow the steps below and begin right away:

1. Launch the MS Outlook application.
2. Open a PST file in Outlook.
3. Drag and drop the mailbox newly created file in file.

Your file will shortly be converted into PST format.

NOTE: You can only convert a single OST file at time through this method. If you have multiple OST files, you’ll need to repeat the process again and again.

Method#2:  Outlook Archive Method to Convert OST to PST 

The second method for OST to PST conversion is the Outlook Archive Method. Follow the steps below to get started with the conversion:

1. Launch Outlook and then Open the OST file to be exported.
2. Click on File>Info>Cleanup tools.
3. From the menu, click on Archive.
4. Then, click on archive this folder and all subfolders option.
5. Now select the folder that you want to export.
6. Choose the new destination.
7. Click on Export to finally convert your OST file.

Method#3: Convert OST to PST by Outlook Import/Export Method

Follow the steps below and convert OST files into PST by using the Import/Export feature given by Outlook:

1. Open MS Exchange. Click on File> Open & Export. 
2. Select Import & Export.
3. Import the OST file and click on Next.
4. Select PST file option, and click on Next.
5. Choose the file location and click on Export.
   

A Caution About Manual Methods

As good as the manual conversion methods are, there are still a few points that can turn out to be a pain for the you. They are listed below.:

1. If you are in a hurry, manual methods for OST to PST conversion are not something you are looking for.
2. There is no guarantee of data integrity, i.e., you might loose some of your important data during the conversion of OST to PST.

Method#4: A Professional OST to PST Converter Software

The second and different kind of way to convert OST into PST format is to use an enterprise OST to PST converter software.

Follow the steps to get done with your OST to PST conversion right away:.

Download and Install the OST to PST converter software.

Choose the OST files that you want to convert.

Preview the data to be converted.

Select the PST option of others, set it’s destination and click on Export.

Your files will now be converted.

 And That’s All, Folks!

And there you have it.

Outlook is one of the most popular email client around the world and amongst all the 21st century office workers. A lot of times users would like to transfer their Outlook files to a different machine, and for this, they need to convert these files into PST format.

You can easily get done with the OST to PST conversion by one of the methods discussed above. I hope this article helped you learn the best method to convert OST to PST format. You can leave your biggest takeaways in the comment sections below.