OST to PST Converter

How to Convert OST to PST without Outlook?

Written By Shivom Sharma
Approved By Kuljeet Singh
Updated on 5 Nov, 2024
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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.

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In Microsoft Outlook, the mailbox data is stored in two file formats: OST (Offline Storage Table) for IMAP, Exchange, and Microsoft 365 accounts, and PST (Personal Storage Table) for POP3 accounts. OST file is linked to the account or profile in which it is created. Therefore, it cannot be imported directly into another Outlook account or profile. On the other hand, PST files can be easily imported into another Outlook account. So, if you need to access, migrate, or import OST file data into another Outlook or Microsoft 365, it becomes necessary to convert the OST file to PST file format. Although you can convert the OST mailbox data to PST file using Import and Export Wizard feature in Outlook, this will not work if you don’t have access to your Outlook account or when the OST file is inaccessible. In such cases, you need to look for other ways to convert the OST file to PST. In this post, we will help you to convert the OST file to PST without Outlook.

Why you need to Convert OST to PST without Outlook?

Here are some scenarios where you need to convert the OST file to PST without Outlook:

Extracting Data from an Orphaned OST: An OST file becomes orphaned when the account associated with it gets disabled or deleted from the mailbox server. In such a situation, you need to convert the associated OST file to PST file to access the mailbox data.
Migration of OST Data to Another Account or Platform: If you want to migrate the data from OST file to another Outlook account or platform, such as Office 365, then you need to convert the OST file to PST file format.
Extracting OST Data after Server Failure: When the mailbox server crashes, you may not able to access your Outlook mailbox data. In such a case, you can convert the OST associated with your account to PST and import into your Outlook account to access the mailbox items.

Method to Convert OST to PST without Outlook

To convert the OST file to PST format without Outlook, you need to take the help of a specialized OST to PST converter tool. There are various such tools available in the market. One of the best OST to PST converter tool is Stellar Converter for OST. This tool can convert orphaned or inaccessible OST files of any size to PST with absolute precision and integrity. It extracts all the OST file items, including emails, attachments, contacts, notes, and calendars and save them to PST and various other file formats.

Here are some key features of this OST to PST converter tool:

Efficiently converts large-sized orphaned or inaccessible OST files to PST
Converts encrypted IMAP OST files to PST
Saves the OST file data in various other formats, such as MSG, EML, RTF, HTML, PDF, etc.
Exports OST file data directly to Office 365 (Microsoft 365)
Option to filter and convert selective items from OST file
Provides preview of the entire OST mailbox data before saving
Supports OST files created in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and earlier versions
Compatible with Windows 11 and previous editions

Now, let’s see how to convert OST file to PST using Stellar Converter for OST:

Download and install Stellar Converter for OST on your system. Then, launch the tool.

Click the List Profiles button. The tool will search and list the OST files associated with your profile. Alternatively, you can select the Choose Manually button to browse and select a particular OST file.

Alternatively, you can select the Choose Manually button to browse and select a particular OST file.

After selecting the OST file, click on Convert to begin the scanning and conversion process.

After selecting the OST file, click on Convert to begin the scanning and conversion process.

After the scan, the tool will display all the converted items from OST file. You can click on any mailbox item to see its enhanced preview.
Select the folders or items you want to convert to PST file. You can also select the entire mailbox. After the selection, click the Save Converted File option, under the Home tab.

After the selection, click the Save Converted File option, under the Home tab

From the saving options, choose PST and then click Next.

From the saving options, choose PST and then click Next.

Choose a destination folder to save the PST file and then click OK. You can also use Apply Advanced Filters to filter the data based on date or email IDs.

You can also use Apply Advanced Filters to filter the data based on date or email IDs.

The tool will save the selected items from the OST file to PST file.

Conclusion

There can be several situations where you need to convert your Outlook OST file to PST file. If your Outlook is working and OST file is accessible, you can convert the OST file to PST by using the Import and Export Wizard in Outlook. However, if the OST file is inaccessible or orphaned, you can use a specialized OST to PST converter tool, such as Stellar Converter for OST. This tool can help you convert orphaned or inaccessible OST file to PST file with complete precision. The free trial version of Stellar Converter of OST allows to scan the OST file and preview the converted data.

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About The Author

Shivom Sharma

Translating tech talk into everyday language—because everyone deserves to understand their software.

31 comments

Christian says:

February 26, 2017 at 5:51 am

I am unable to open ost file to my new system. I have Windows 7 operating system. Any suggestions?

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  February 27, 2017 at 5:12 am
  
  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.
  
  Reply
arnold says:

February 25, 2017 at 5:53 am

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?

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  February 26, 2017 at 5:10 am
  
  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.
  
  Reply
Sebby Wick says:

February 24, 2017 at 10:39 am

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!!

Reply
Mattlas says:

February 10, 2017 at 10:31 am

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!!

Reply
methew123 says:

January 31, 2017 at 3:15 am

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.

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mizzo says:

November 25, 2016 at 4:56 am

Thank you for sharing this article. I successfully converted ost to pst because of your notes. So Thanks again.

Reply
oggy says:

November 24, 2016 at 4:53 am

How much data can be converted with Stellar OST to PST for free and what are the steps?

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  November 24, 2016 at 5:55 am
  
  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.
  
  Reply
donald says:

November 11, 2016 at 3:18 am

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?

Reply
1. Eric Simson says:
  
  November 15, 2016 at 3:34 am
  
  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.
  
  Reply
Eric Simson says:

November 11, 2016 at 3:09 am

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!!

Reply
Peter says:

November 10, 2016 at 10:05 am

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.

Reply