How Do I Open OST Files in MS Outlook?

Open OST Files in MS Outlook: OST files are created when Outlook is used with Exchange server in Cached Mode On. While these files enable users to continue working on their mailboxes even if Exchange is unavailable, if the Exchange account associated with them gets deleted somehow, these files can become orphaned. OST files cannot open directly in Outlook. In such a case, accessing their stored data can become very difficult.

To open an OST file in Outlook 365, you need to export the file to PST format using Microsoft Outlook. Then, import the PST file to Office 365 using the Microsoft Office 365 Import Service.

When the server returns online, the changes made to the mailboxes using OST files are synced with the server to keep everything updated. Since they are tightly bound to Exchange email accounts, the data stored within OST files cannot be accessed directly without the involvement of Exchange. So if the Exchange account associated with an OST file gets deleted, the mailbox data stored in OST files may become permanently inaccessible.

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So, is There No Way to Open OST Files in MS Outlook?

IMAP accounts use OST files in Outlook 2013 & 2016. It is simply a cache for Outlook; if you delete it, Outlook will create a new one based on your account.

The blunt answer to that question is “No”. You cannot open an OST file directly within MS Outlook without the involvement of Exchange.

To open an OST file in Outlook 365, you need to export the file to PST format using Microsoft Outlook. Then, import the PST file to Office 365 using the Microsoft Office 365 Import Service.

If the user deletes the Exchange account associated with an OST file by mistake or users need to backup or archive the respective OST files and move them to another machine, the OST files are regarded as orphaned. MS Outlook might refuse to recognize the given file structure in such a scenario. Then, to access the data stored within OST files, the users might need to apply one of two possible solutions:

• Re-create OST file
• Use a software tool for opening the OST files in Outlook

Now that we have covered the basic premise of this discussion, let us try out these methods to open OST files directly.

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Method #1 Re-create the OST File if the Same Account is Available

The first way is by making use of the manual method. The manual process of opening the OST files in MS Outlook is simple and free of cost. All users need the same email account & can create a new copy at any time. You need to follow the below-mentioned steps:

1. In the Control Panel of your computer system, double-click on the option Mail.
2. On the given email tab, you must select the particular MS Exchange account. Then, click on the option Change. show profiles
3. You can go ahead with clearing the checkbox labelled “Cached Exchange Mode.”
4. Click on the option “More Settings.”
5. In the given “Advanced” tab, select the Offline Folder File.
6. Select the option “Disable Offline Use.” In the dialogue box that would appear on the screen, select the option Yes.
7. You can click on the Offline Folder File setting option again.
8. Select the option OK.
9. In the Cached Exchange Mode settings, you are required to select the checkbox labelled “Use Cached Exchange Mode.”
10. Select the option OK. Proceed and click on the option “Finish.”
11. In the respective Account Settings and Mail Setup dialogue boxes, select the option “Close.”

If the associated account is unavailable or your OST file is corrupt, you can consider using a software tool to open the OST file. We recommend using Stellar Converter for OST for this purpose.

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Method #2 Open OST File By Using Stellar Converter for OST

You can Open OST Files in MS Outlook using Stellar Converter for OST if the associated account is unavailable or the OST file is corrupt. One of the most advanced software currently available to convert inaccessible OST files into Outlook PST files is the Stellar Converter for OST. This product swiftly scans OST files and converts all mailbox components, like email attachments, contacts, calendars, etc., to PST format.

Using this trusty tool, users can also extract their data stored within encrypted OST files. It also works with IMAP OST files and even offers the users a free preview of mailbox items before conversion. Having received numerous positive reviews from generic users and experts alike, this tool has proven to be the best option to open OST files in MS Outlook directly.

Steps to open OST file in MS Outlook:

1. Select the OST file by using the ‘Browse’ button, then click on ‘Convert’.
2. Now Progress bar shows the status of the Outlook OST file scanning process.
3. Preview of OST file.
4. Click on the ‘Save Converted File’ option and select the ‘PST’. Click ‘OK’ to start the conversion process.
5. The Converted PST file has been saved at the selected location. Later, you can import PST to any Outlook profile & access all emails.

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FAQs

Conclusion

OST files are handy, and they give users access to their Exchange mailbox data on the local system. However, their dependence on Exchange accounts makes it impossible for users to access the data stored within them directly.

Thus, to open OST files in MS Outlook directly, you either need to use a manual method or convert the OST files to PST format. The manual method is complicating and often fruitless, even though it is free of cost. Therefore, the best option is to use Stellar Converter for OST to convert the OST files to PST format. Here is a guide on How To Fix the Windows 10 Startup Menu Missing.

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Garvit Sinha

Gravit Sinha: Founder of ValidEdge, a problem-solving website, driven by his lifelong passion for fixing issues.