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Offline Storage Tables is the name for Outlook OST files. If you want to see your email data on the Exchange server, these files are local cached copies of it. These files' most important job is to let you view obtained mailbox data files like emails, calendars, contacts, and more when you're not online.

However, an OST file can become "orphaned" if it loses its link to the Exchange server or Outlook profile that it exists with. This data file (.ost) is often not available because of problems with the network, corruption, file size, and other issues. The OST file is locked with a MAPIEntryID GUID key, so it can't be read in a further profile. To see the emails saved in the OST file, we need to change it to the PST format.


Microsoft doesn't offer a specific tool for changing lockers from OST to PST. Outlook has some manual ways to do things, like the Import/Export Wizard. However, this method might not be able to change orphaned or unavailable OST files to PST files.

A reputable DataVare OST to PST Converter app is the best way to get to mailbox data saved in an encrypted or inaccessible OST file. We will explore how to change a private OST file to a PST file in this tutorial. We'll also look at a simple way to change big OST files to PST files.

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When Does an OST File Get Encrypted?

·         The server company may make you use encryption.

·         The person using Outlook can do it by using the security settings.

·         To keep info safe, third-party tools may do it.

·         To protect certain OST files, the user must manually lock them.

Why Should You Convert an Encrypted OST File?

In various situations, users want to convert protected OST files to PST files.

Here are some of the possible situations –

·         To get back mailbox info from an OST file that can't be opened, is alone, or is badly damaged.

·         Ensure data sharing in case of moving servers or email accounts.

·         To make a copy of important mailbox info.

·         To get back mailbox info if you delete or disable your Exchange account.

·         To keep the OST file as small as possible to avoid problems with corruption.

How to Change an Encrypted OST File to a PST File?

With the Import/Export method, we can change a lost, damaged, or encrypted Outlook data file (.ost) to PST format. After making the OST files, use the same Exchange account to log in to Outlook and do the steps below:-

Solution 1: Use the Import/Export Wizard

·         From the dropdown menu, choose "Export to a file." Then, press "Next."

·         Click on Files, then Open & Export, and then click on Import & Export.

·         Now, a "Export to a File" menu will show up. From the dropdown menu, select "Outlook Data File (.pst)," and then press "Next."

·         Press the Next button after choosing the files and subfolders you want to send.

·         Find the place where you want to save the new PST files. Choose the choice that says "Replace duplicates with items exported." After that, click "Finish."

How this method falls short?

·         This manual way is hard for people who aren't tech-savvy to use.

·         The process takes a lot of time. The user has to download each folder separately.

·         It also requires choosing the contents of the intended mailbox by hand, which takes a lot of work time.

·         This method might let us export big mailboxes, but there is a chance that we will lose data.

·         For this method to work, you need the original Outlook account that made the OST file.

·         In larger OST file cases, it might not keep the folder layout and hierarchy.

Solution 2: Use a specialized OST to PST converter tool -


Using software like DataVare OST To PST Converter is another smart way to change a private OST file to a PST file. Based on a complex algorithm, this tool can turn mailboxes from OST files that are locked, encrypted, or missing users. In addition to ensuring the security of the target file, it can convert large OST files to PST formats. This software has a free preview function that lets you see all of the items in your mailbox before you convert them to a PST file.

The most important things about DataVare Converter for OST are -

·         Converts big OST files to PST quickly and without losing their integrity

·         It quickly changes locked, missing, unreadable, or damaged OST files to PST files.

·         The free demo version lets users see a sample of all the converted files.

·         Changes all items in your offline mailbox with a free preview

·         It support all windows and Mac Operating system.

·         24/7 technical support team available to resolve users queries.

In conclusion

It's not easy to change damaged, protected, or lost Outlook data files (.ost) to PST format. We talked about one way to do it by hand in the previous post: using Outlook's Import/Export Wizard. But this method of doing things by hand has some problems.

We also looked at a pretty easy, quick, and smart way to change OST files to PST files using a third-party tool like DataVarer OST 2 PST Converter. It comes with a lot of smart features. With just a few clicks, this converter program can turn inaccessible or orphaned OST files into PST files.