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Import OST to Outlook in Hassle Free Way

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Written By Ashwani Tiwari
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On July 30th, 2024
Reading Time 8 Minutes Reading

This write-up will help you to understand the free and professional paid methods to import OST in Outlook. The explained steps can be used for Microsoft Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and below versions.

Want to import OST file into Outlook? Users always find it tough to add OST in Outlook 365, 2021,  2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007 versions. It is because of this fact that importing OST files into the Microsoft Outlook profile is not possible practically unless you configure it manually. This is the reason users need to use a professional tool.

Therefore, in the upcoming piece of this blog, we have come up with some manual tricks to import OST file into Outlook. Alongside this, we have likewise acquainted an interesting tool to complete this task rapidly. You can move directly to the steps and import OST in Outlook using Software. Before that, let us experience a concise part that’s why Microsoft does not provide any facility to relink, add, or import OST to Outlook profile directly?

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attach ost file in outlook

Why Unable to Import OST File to Outlook?

Microsoft Outlook is compatible with two files i.e. PST and OST. OST stands for Offline Storage data and saves the Exchange server database. At the time of synchronization of Exchange Server with Outlook, OST is generated which serves as a local copy on the mail server & not required as a backup. Whereas, PST is the default format in, which Outlook stores its data.

Check out What Microsoft blog comments about it :

load ost file into outlook

It is easy to import PST to the Outlook profile, but in the case of OST, it is impossible. Therefore, to import OST file into Outlook. The file has to be in PST format.

Microsoft clearly mentioned that you can not import OST files to your Outlook profile directly.

import OST in Outlook

Also, there is no option to relink the OST file in Outlook profile.

relink ost in outlook

Import OST to Outlook – User Query

“I have recently received some OST files from one of my seniors. By using these files, I need to produce a presentation for my evaluation. However, I am unable to import OST file into Outlook. I do not have any idea whether it is possible or not. If it is possible, please suggest me any simple and fast method to import OST in Outlook 2013. This is very urgent.”

Methods to Import OST Files into Outlook

If you want to attach OST file in Outlook manually free solution. Then follow the below-mentioned methods:

  1. Import OST File into Outlook Manually Using Export Feature
  2. Add OST in Outlook For Free Using Archive Feature
  3. Load OST into Microsoft Outlook by Creating New PST
  4. 100% Secure Way to Import OST File to Outlook

Method-1: Utilize The Export Feature of MS Outlook

This method requires technical expertise &, and if you are not technically sound then avoid using these steps:

Requirements:

  • Same Outlook profile must be configured and accessible.
  • Active Exchange Server Connection and Internet.

Steps:

  • Firstly, start Outlook
  • Now, click on “File”, then on “Export to a file”, and finally on “Next
  • Choose the “Personal File Folder (.pst)” and click “Next
  • After this, pick the folder, which you wish to export and mark it “Include subfolders”.
  • Browse to the location to store the exported data and click on Finish

Limitation: The above-mentioned instructions are only valid in case you are connected to Microsoft Exchange Server.

Method-2: Utilize The Archive Feature of Microsoft Outlook

Perform steps carefully and avoid data loss. Because this method will avoid importing contacts, calendars, rules, etc. Steps to load OST file into Outlook.

  • To begin the process, start Microsoft Outlook
  • Now, go to File and then hit on Archive
  • You will see a window in front of you, choose the file or folder to archive it
  • Then, browse to the location where you desired to store the archived PST
  • Finally, once you click on OK, the process of archiving will start

Limitation: With this strategy, you will be unable to import OST to Outlook with complete data. It will skip the contacts.

Method-3: Export Outlook Database to a Fresh PST

  • Firstly, launch Microsoft Outlook
  • Then, generate a new Outlook Data File (.pst) in MS Outlook
  • Now, drag the complete mailbox folder, which you wish to export

Limitation of Using Free Ways to Import OST File into Outlook

Again, with the help of this trick, it is not possible to drag Sent Items, Inbox, Calendars, Contacts, etc. into PST. As we have seen that every manual strategy comes up with some limitations. Therefore, it would not be wrong in saying that manual solutions are not reliable to import OST into Outlook 2021 / 2019 / 2016 / 2013 / 2010.

This ultimately results in the need for third-party software. Nevertheless, there are a number of tools available in the online market for this purpose, but picking up the right product is important. One of the most recommended utilities to import OST file in Microsoft Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, etc. versions.

Use SysTools Software to Import OST in Outlook

This software has come into existence to import OST file into Outlook 2021 / 2019 / 2016 / 2013 / 2010 / 2007 / 2003. It performs the migration process in bulk and brings forth so many interesting features to make this task more convenient.

It is possible to add OST files, which are corrupted or damaged via this tool. Moreover, the integrity of the data remains intact. No data loss takes place and any user can perform the conversion process using SysTools Converter for OST to PST.

The tool has a very simple interface and is compatible with all the versions of the Windows Operating system. Also, the utility is a complete solution to deal with the OST to Outlook transfer process. Some of the most required features are listed below:

  1. Import OST file into Microsoft Outlook Without User Account
  2. Capable to import complete data from OST to Outlook At Once
  3. You can import encrypted OST files into Microsoft Outlook
  4. It Supports Import Corrupt OST in Outlook All Versions
  5. Attach OST in Outlook Without Exchange Server Environment

Quick Steps to Import OST File to Outlook

After knowing all the benefits of using this software. Let’s move to the working steps to import OST to Outlook. follow the steps:

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Step-1: – Download the Software Install it on your system and click on Add File.

load ost file into outlook

Step-2: – Browse OST files using the software panel (Use Search OST feature)

preview ost data

Step-3: – Preview complete data from the OST file with all attributes.

open file

Step-4: – Select PST as the output file type and click on the Export button.

add ost to outlook

Step-5: – Finally Import the output file generated from OST in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, etc., versions.

outlook import export

OST to Outlook import

Step-6: Choose Import from another program or file from pop-up window and hit Next.

choose import option

Step-7: Now Import a file window will appear, choose Outlook Data File (.pst) option and hit Next.

ost to outlook import

Step-8: Now it time to browse the PST file that you have created in step 4. Hit Browse button and navigate to location and select the PST file.

ost to outlook free

Step-9:  Select the PST file and continue.

import to outlook

Step-10: Select option as per requirement and finally click Finish button.

import ost to outlook completed

Import process completed successfully, now you can easily access emails and other attributes of OST file into Outlook.

How do I Import OST File to Outlook – User’s Queries

I am sure that from the above discussion, you can clearly understand the difference between using a free solution to import Exchange Server OST in Outlook or using trusted software. Now let’s understand the situation from users’ comments. The queries taken from different discussion sites:

“Hello Experts, My name is Mack John. My friend gave a users .ost file in pen drive. Now I want to use it in my Outlook 2016. But I am unable to import it in my Outlook. So, I want to know how do I import OST file in Outlook 2016? “

“I am not in a condition to access Microsoft Exchange server environment. I have 20 user’s mailbox.ost file. All I want to import it in My personal Outlook account. kindly suggest me a working solution to import OST into Outlook 2013.”

“One of my best friends asked me, can you import OST file into Outlook. I know some free techniques to do this. I did the same as suggested, but the inline images were missing in resultant file. Luckily he has the backup of OST file. I used SysTools utility to attach OST in Outlook in a hassle-free way.”

To Sum It Up

OST files store the crucial data of the Exchange Server. However, performing this import process is not easy. Users have to face certain challenges for this. Considering this, we have discussed some manual procedures to import OST files into Outlook versions.

As a matter of fact, every manual trick has some or the other drawback, it is suggested to use a trouble-free alternative to add OST file to Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007. With the help of this solution, the entire process will become quick and less complicated.

  author

By Ashwani Tiwari

Being a Chief Technical Analyst, I am aware of the technicalities faced by the user while working with multiple technologies. So, through my blogs and articles, I love to help all the users who face various challenges while dealing with technology.