OST to PST Converter Review: A Complete Guide to Converting OST Files to PST

Summary

Microsoft Outlook stores a local copy of mailbox data in OST (Offline Storage Table) files when users work with Exchange, IMAP, or other supported accounts. These files may contain important emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, journals and folders. But, if an OST file becomes inaccessible, server connection is unavailable or Outlook profile is deleted, users need to access their mailbox information from an alternative way.

One of the most common methods is converting OST file into PST (Personal Storage Table) format. PST files are good for data backup, migration and archiving and are importable into Outlook. OST to PST Converter Expert is specially designed for this conversion. This guide covers its main features, conversion process, compatibility and practical considerations.

What is OST to PST Converter?

OST to PST Converter is a program to extract mailbox data from an OST file and save it as PST format. This could be useful if the original Outlook account or Exchange environment is no longer available.

OST to PST Converter is a stand-alone application which is able to convert OST data without installation of MS Outlook or MS Exchange Server. The vendor said the software can export emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, journals, messages and other mailbox information in the PST format.

Reasons to convert OST to PST?

There are many situations where OST to PST conversion can be useful. For example, an organization may need to migrate mailbox data from one system to another or an individual may need access to data from an orphaned OST file.

OST files can also become inaccessible due to synchronization issues, hardware or software problems, oversized data, malware or unexpected power failure. In these cases, having mailbox data in PST format is easier to access and manage through Outlook.

Key Features of OST to PST Converter Software

1. OST File to PST Converter

The primary job of the software is simple: convert OST files to PST files. This application is made especially for OST to PST migration. It includes mailbox components such as emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, and journals.

2. Convert OST File Selectively

Users can browse their computer and choose the specific OST file that they want to convert. This is useful when there are multiple OST files stored on the system, and only one specific mailbox needs to be processed.

3. Keeps Folder Structure

According to the software maintains the folder structure during conversion. This means that the organization of mailbox folders and the data associated with them can be preserved in the generated PST file.

By keeping the original structure, you can save time, since users won’t have to recreate folders manually after migration.

4. Works with Outlook Version

The product page mentions compatibility with various Outlook versions such as Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. This might make the resulting PST file useful in multiple Outlook environments.

5. No Need to Install Outlook

It is interesting to note that the converter is referred to as a stand-alone application. According to the vendor, it is not a pre-requisite to install Microsoft Outlook and Exchange Server to convert OST file to PST.

This can be especially helpful for users who have an orphaned OST file, but no longer have access to the original Outlook profile.

6. Mac and Windows Support

The product page states that the software is compatible with Mac and Windows OS. The Windows environments listed are Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11, and several Mac versions are listed too.

How to Change OST to PST

The conversion process is supposed to be simple and consists of a few basic steps.

Step 1: Download & Install the Program
Download and install OST to PST Converter and then open the app.

Step 2: Choose OST File
Click on the Browse option and then browse the OST file saved on your computer.

• Step 3: Select the output location
  Select the local folder where you want to save the converted PST file.

Step 4: Start converting
Now click on Convert button to start the OST to PST conversion process. This is the basic workflow to export OST data to PST format as mentioned in the official documentation.

File Access and Performance

The speed of conversion depends on size of OST file, amount of mailbox data, computer hardware and performance of storage. states that the application is lightweight and notes that it requires around 7.4 MB of free space on the disk to install and run. The system requirements listed are minimum 512 MB of memory and 100 MB of free hard-disk space.

The product FAQ states that the application can scan and export Unicode OST files of maximum 50 GB and that a maximum of one OST file can be scanned and exported at once.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

• ·     Convert OST Files to PST Format.

  ·         It supports email, contacts, calendar, notes, tasks and journals.

  ·         Keeps the mailbox folder hierarchy intact

  ·         No Microsoft Outlook needed for conversion.

  ·         Works with many versions of Outlook.

  ·         User can specify folder for output.

  ·         It says on the product page that it supports Windows and Mac.

  ·         Includes a demo version with limited conversion features.

   

Cons

• This software is mainly designed for the conversion of OST to PST.
  
  

Closing thoughts

OST to PST Converter Expert is a specialized utility for users who want to convert Outlook OST file to PST format. Capabilities: mailbox data conversion, folder structure retention, selective file selection, local output, and compatibility with multiple Outlook versions. The software is also available as standalone application which does not require Outlook or Exchange Server to carry out conversion.

For users who have orphaned, inaccessible or problematic OST files, an OST to PST converter can be a practical way to extract and preserve mailbox information. It is recommended that the software demo version be tested with a copy of OST file prior to migrating the entire data and check whether the desired mailbox data is converted correctly.