OST to PST conversion is a common process for users who work offline and require Outlook
data or who want to shift from one system to another. OST (Offline Storage Table) files enable
users to do their work while disconnected from the Exchange server, and when the user gets
connected, all the changes made are then synchronized with the server.
However, these files are often corrupted and have certain problems, which is why it is
necessary to import them to PST (Personal Storage Table) files to work with them more
effectively.
Although the process of conversion appears to be quite simple, users are faced with a number
of issues. This article describes the problems that may be encountered during OST to PST
conversion and the ways to solve them.
Common Issues Faced During OST to PST Conversion
While you may face many problems while converting from OST to PST but the most common
ones are as follows:
Corrupted OST Files
Among all the issues that are generally faced during the OST to PST conversion, file corruption
is one of the most common issues. OST files can get damaged for a number of reasons, such
as power failure, system shutdown, network crash, or virus attack. OST files are read-only files,
and when they become corrupted, they become non-readable and cannot be converted to PST
files.
Large OST File Size
Another common problem that some users face is the size of OST files, which are usually large.
When using emails, attachments, and other data, users tend to store more data in OST files,
making the file larger. When working with large OST files, there are high chances that the OST
files become corrupt and the conversion rate is slower or may not happen at all. Also, if an
attempt is made to convert a huge OST file to PST, it may cross the PST size limitations if
Outlook is not updated.
Compatibility Issues
One of the challenges that can occur when converting OST files to PST is compatibility
problems that may arise with different versions of Outlook or Exchange Server. An OST file
created in one version of Outlook may not be compatible with another version of Outlook, which
leads to errors during conversion. Also, third-party tools for the conversion may not support all
versions of OST files, making the process even more challenging.
Password-Protected OST Files
At other times, OST files may be encrypted or even password-protected in order to improve
security further. While this adds an extra layer of protection, it can also lead to issues during
conversion. As it has been noted, the OST file can only be exported to the PST format with the
help of a password or decryption key.
Incomplete Data Conversion
One more problem that users come across is partial data conversion. In the course of the OST
to PST conversion, certain items may not be converted or may be skipped due to their
enormous size or because of OST file damage. This can lead to the loss of emails, contacts,
calendar entries, or any other data in the PST file, making the file to be incomplete.
How to Resolve Common OST to PST Conversion Issues
Repair Corrupted OST Files
For the solution to the problem of OST files, there is a built-in Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair
Tool known as Scanpst.exe. This tool can fix small corruptions in OST files so that they can be
migrated to PST files. However, if the OST file is severely corrupted, then the best way is to use
OST recovery software that can fix the OST file and retrieve the data.
Split Large OST Files
A large OST file size may be a problem; if so, then the OST file should be divided into several
parts before conversion. Some of the third-party OST to PST conversion tools provide an option
for splitting large OST files into small PST files.
This not only prevents corruption but also makes the conversion process less complicated. In
this case, the users can categorize old emails and attachments and move them to the archive to
minimize the size of the OST file.
Ensure Compatibility
The compatibility of the Outlook or Exchange server version should be the same as the one that
was used to create the OST file. If this is not possible, make sure that the OST to PST converter
you are using is compatible with multiple versions of Outlook as well as Exchange Server.
There are some tools available in the market that are compatible and can convert OST files
from one version to another version without losing any data.
Unlock Password-Protected OST Files
If the OST file is password protected, then the user has to remove the password for the
conversion process.
This can be done in the following way:
- Entering the correct password if one is remembered
- Using password recovery if the password is forgotten.
Some of the OST to PST conversion tools also come with features that enable them to delete
or even ignore passwords.
Auto Archive Setting
Outlook email client provides the facility of archiving data options to save the OST mailbox
folders in PST file format. It can export all the items of the OST mailbox to PST format. This
feature does not create a backup of contacts, but you can transfer other items in the mailbox.
The correct procedure is as follows:
- Firstly, make sure that your Microsoft Outlook application is opened.
- In the case of MS Word, go to the “File” tab and then the “Archive” tab.
- Now select the file/folder that needs to be archived.
- Navigate for the location to save the archived file.
- Finally, click Finish, and your resultant file will be saved in the location on your PC you
selected at the start.
Use Professional Conversion Tools
In order to gain complete conversion of all the data, it is recommended to use professional OST
to PST migration tools like the Goldy Tools OST to PST Converter.
This tool has been developed to address some of the challenges that are common with the
software, such as corruption, large file sizes, and compatibility. It can also import all emails,
including those in the OST files, contacts, calendar events, and even attachments, without any
loss of data.
Conclusion
Conversing OST to PST is a very necessary process for many users, but it is not without its
problems. Some of the issues that the users may encounter include file corruption, compatibility
problems, and much more.
By using the ways mentioned above or trying easy and advanced Goldy Tools’ OST to PST
converter, all these problems can be easily solved, and thus, OST to PST migration becomes
successful.
