How to Open/Convert OST to PST without Outlook
Summary: Learn method to open and convert OST to PST without using Outlook. The guide helps you convert and access an orphaned or large OST file when you do not have access to your Outlook profile or experience Outlook data file (OST) related errors while accessing Outlook account. It will also help you restore your mailbox items such as emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, notes, journals, etc. from inaccessible OST and recover lost or deleted mailbox items without using Outlook.
Contents
An OST file is a replica of MS Exchange mailbox data, such as emails, attachments, calendars, contacts, notes, etc. stored on the local system. This allows users to access, view, and draft emails even when the Exchange Server is not accessible due to connectivity issues, server maintenance, or downtime situations. The changes are locally stored in the OST file and synched with the online mailbox as soon as the system connects to the Exchange server.
Thus, users can continue their work without interruptions. However, if your profile is removed from the server or OST gets damaged, you can’t access Outlook or mailbox items. In such cases, you have two options,
- Re-create OST file by renaming the damaged OST file
This may cause loss of mail items that you created or drafted while offline.
- Convert OST file to PST
This converts your inaccessible OST to PST and restores all mailbox items, including deleted items.
Alternatively, you may also try to repair the OST file by using Microsoft’s built-in SCANPST.exe utility. However, this utility often fails to repair the problems if OST is large, encrypted, or severely damaged.
Hence, if you are facing a problem with OST, the recommended way to go is to convert it to PST format. This article focuses on OST file to PST conversion without Outlook, why it is needed, and how to perform it.
Why is Outlook OST file to PST conversion needed without Outlook?
Before delving into the depths of matter, it is good to analyze why we need to convert OST to PST in the first place. Apart from situations where the SCANOST utility fails to work on a faulty OST, the following situations may demand the conversion of OST files into PST format:
1. MAPI Bindings
Typically, OST files are bound to specific MAPI profiles. Thus, an OST file can easily be opened on the system where the MS Exchange account was configured (with cached mode enabled). However, if you wish to access the data in the OST on another system, a simple copy-paste operation won’t do. You’ll have to convert the OST file to PST format. After that, the PST file can be copied to the other system and accessed or imported by using the Outlook Import Export Wizard.
2. OST Size Limit
With continuous usage over time, OST files tend to grow large. However, an oversized or large OST could lead to problems such as Outlook slowing down, delayed email delivery, etc. Plus, a large OST file is prone to corruption. Hence, it’s critical to archive or convert old OST data in PST format.
3. Orphan OST
If the Exchange Server account, which is the parent of an OST file, is deleted, inaccessible, or facing any technical issues, the OST file is considered to be orphaned. Attempts to access this file result in errors. Hence, the conversion of this file into PST format is the only way out if you want to access and restore the mail items.
How to Convert OST to PST Format without Outlook
To convert OST to PST without using Outlook, you need an OST to PST converter software such as Stellar Converter for OST. By using this software, you can convert large, orphaned, and inaccessible OST files to PST. After conversion, you can open the PST file in any Outlook account and access the mail items.
The steps are as follows,
- Install Stellar Converter for OST Technician software
- Run the software, click ‘Browse’ or use ‘Find’ option to locate and select the OST file
- Click ‘Convert’ to start converting the OST file. After conversion, a message box appears. Click ‘OK’
- After OST file conversion, you can preview all the mailbox items, such as emails, contacts, calendar, notes, etc.
- Select the mailbox items that you want to convert to PST and click on ‘Save Converted File’ at the top-left
- From ‘Save As’ dialog box, choose ‘PST’
- Click ‘Browse’ to choose a save location and then click ‘OK’ to start saving OST to PST
After conversion, you can open the PST file in any Outlook, Exchange, or Office 365 account.
Rating by MVP:
Reference:Click here
Export OST Emails to PST File via Outlook Import/Export Wizard
If you have access to Outlook, you can export and convert OST mailbox items to PST format via Outlook Import Export Wizard. Following are the steps,
- In Outlook, navigate to File > Open & Export > Import/Export
- Select Export to a file and click on Next
- Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next
- Choose email folders to convert and save as PST. Also, click on Include Subfolders checkbox and then click Next
- Click Browse to select a save location where you want to save the PST file
- Then select “Replace duplicate with items imported” and click Finish
- Enter a password (if you want), otherwise, click OK to save OST to PST file
Final Words
OST to PST conversion without using Outlook is possible. You can open OST files of any size by using software, such as Stellar Converter for OST. You can use the software to convert multiple OST files at once or when you need to convert an inaccessible or orphaned OST file. Further, you can open the converted PST file in any Outlook, Exchange, or Office 365 account.
Besides PST, you can also convert OST to other formats such as MSG, EML, RTF, HTML, or PDF. It converts OST to PST with 100% integrity and even helps recover lost or deleted email items.
I am unable to open ost file to my new system. I have Windows 7 operating system. Any suggestions?
The OST is a locally stored cached copy of your mailbox. All of your mailbox data get stored in the mailbox on the server. To open your ost file, just connect Outlook to the mailbox in Cached Exchange mode, and it’ll automatically rebuild the OST file. If Exchange Server is not available then, in this case, you only can convert your ost file with the help of OST to PST Converter Software. Please try Stellar OST to PST to automatically convert ost to pst without connecting to Exchange server.
Windows get crashed; Outlook 2013 doesn’t work after the crash. I have to format the hard disk, but before going further, I need to retrieve the Outlook emails. How can I do this?
First of all please let me know which type of email account are you using (POP, IMAP or Exchange)?
If you are using an Exchange with Outlook, your data is stored in your mailbox on the server side. In this case, you only need to do is to reconfigure your email account and it’ll automatically rebuild the OST file.
If you are using an IMAP account, in this case by default, Outlook 2013 uses the .ost file for storing all Outlook data. This .ost file just can’t be moved to another computer or profile. In this case, you have to convert ost file to pst format so that you can import it later after format & reinstall Outlook. For this, you can use Stellar Converter for OST Software.
If you have a POP account and didn’t choose the option to leave a copy on the server. In this case, you just need to back up the .pst file & can reuse it in another Outlook profile.
Thank you so much. I have spent too many hours trying to convert ost file this frustrating problem and after this article less than five minutes to rid it up this issue. Stellar OST to PST is a fantastic tool!!
This is one of the best and informative notes that I have ever seen. Easy to follow, easy to understand without the need of technical knowledge. I tried Stellar Converter for OST software as my exchange servers get crashed. I had an offline OST file. I ran the software & convert ost file in 3 simple steps. At last, I import pst into MS Outlook. Thanks for the tutorial!!
Thanks Eric for mentioning such a great tool. I used Stellar Converter for OST & convert ost file data without any data loss. Software layout is easy to follow, good for native users.
Thank you for sharing this article. I successfully converted ost to pst because of your notes. So Thanks again.
How much data can be converted with Stellar OST to PST for free and what are the steps?
You can convert 20 items per folder for free with the help of the software. To save More than 20 items, you have to purchase the software. This KB Article Will guide you to save 20 items for free.
I just moved my company and took backup of .ost file with me and I thought I would be able to open it. But I just realized unless I have a connection to Exchange Server, Outlook does not let me open OST file. I do not have access to my Exchange server anymore. I used Stellar OST-Viewer and that lets me view the emails available in the .ost file. How can I save these mails?
You can easily save these mails by using Stellar Converter for OST Software. The software easily export OST file data into PST format.You can also check the preview of your converted data by using the demo version of the software.
If Exchange Server goes in non-function or dismounting stage then Conversion from ost to pst file without Exchange server is impossible. As we all knows, OST is replica of an Exchange mailbox. If you have a copy of OST file and Exchange is functioning then you can easily export into pst format. If Server is no longer available then you should use Stellar Converter for OST. The software easily convert OST file to PST format even your exchange server is unavailable. Check this KB article to more about software steps
Please let me know if you face any issue while using the software!!
I need to export a lot of emails with important documents from .ost file to .pst file. but the exchange server is no longer available. I have a copy of OST file.