How To Open Ost File

Microsoft Outlook saves its offline data in the form of Offline Storage Table (OST) files. This means that one can access emails, calendars, and other data even when not connected to the internet. If you need to open an OST file to recover data or to migrate data to some other platform. in this tutorial, you will learn how to efficiently open an OST file.

What is an OST File?

An OST file is created when you use Outlook with Microsoft Exchange Server, which allows you to work offline and once you are connected again to the server, all changes are synchronised. This file format is proprietary to Outlook and Exchange alone, which means that it can’t be opened with some other email client or even another instance of Outlook itself without some kind of conversion.

Method 1: Opening OST File Using Microsoft Outlook

If you have the original profile that created the OST file, you can open it directly using Microsoft Outlook:

• Open Outlook: Launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer.

• Locate the OST File: Normally, Outlook automatically opens the OST file associated with your profile. If not, you might need to locate it manually. OST files are usually stored in the following directory:

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

• Access Your Data: Once Outlook is open, it should automatically sync with the Exchange server and display your emails and other data.

Method 2: Using OST to PST Conversion Tools

• Choose a Conversion Tool: There are several reliable OST to PST conversion tools available, such as osttopst Converter for OST, Kernel for OST to PST, or SysTools OST to PST Converter.

• Install and Launch the Tool: Download, install, and open the chosen conversion tool on your computer.

• Add the OST File: In the conversion tool, locate and select the OST file you want to convert.

• Convert the OST File: Follow the on-screen instructions to convert the OST file to a PST file.

• Open the PST File in Outlook: Once the conversion is complete, open Microsoft Outlook. Go to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File. Browse to the location where the PST file is saved, select it, and click OK.

Method 3: Using Outlook Import/Export Wizard

If you can still access your email account but need to back up the OST data, you can use Outlook’s built-in import/export feature.

• Open Outlook: Launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer.

• Open Import/Export Wizard: Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
• Choose Export Option: In the Import and Export Wizard, select Export to a file and click Next.
• Select File Type: Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
• Select Data to Export: Select the account or folder you want to export and ensure the Include subfolders are checked, then click Next.

• Choose Destination: Choose a location to save the PST file and click Finish.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Email Clients

Some third-party email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird can open OST files with the help of additional add-ons:

• Install the Email Client: Download and install the third-party email client (e.g., Mozilla Thunderbird).

• Add Plugins or Tools: Search for and install any required plugins or tools that allow the email client to import OST files.

• Import OST File: Use the email client’s import feature to locate and open the OST file.

Conclusion

Opening an OST file may be easy if you have the original profile in Outlook, but otherwise, there are other ways to convert and access your data. Starting from Microsoft Outlook itself to OST to PST converters, to the import/export wizard that is in Outlook, it goes to the third-party email clients; each is distinct and has steps and requirements on its own. By following this guide, you must be able to access your OST file and get the data you want.