How to Open and View OST File in Outlook 2019/2016/2013/2010 & 2007?

Outlook has always been popular among users. If you are a user of Outlook, you must be aware that it stores all data in two files i.e. OST and PST. OST is created automatically when you add an account in Outlook. Or you can recreate OST file whenever required. To open OST file in Outlook 2019/2016/2013/2010 and older versions, it is necessary to convert it into PST file format. You can export OST mailbox data to PST file format with Import/Export feature of Outlook or through OST Converter professional tool. The software provides you the facility to convert any inaccessible and orphaned OST file. With this software, users can direct export OST mailbox items into Office 365 and other known file formats.

What is OST file (Offline Outlook file)?

OST is Offline Storage Table to whom you can't open directly in Outlook profile or account. The file is restricted to open to a particular profile and system in which you have configured your account. To open OST file in Outlook or to another system, users can convert OST mailbox data items into Outlook supported PST file format.

PST or Personal Storage Table is Outlook data file that is portable and can be opened easily in MS Outlook all versions.

You can move Outlook mailbox items into PST format with Outlook Import/Export feature or through third-party OST to PST Converter.

With this post, we have provided you both the solutions but let us first know the location of OST file in your system.

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Where OST files are located in user system?

Before you open OST file, let us know its location on your system. You can find out OST file location by following the given steps –

• Launch MS Outlook on your old system.
• Choose the configured account and right-click on Date file properties.
• Select the advanced option in new window.
• You can see the location of OST file: C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\".
• Copy the location and paste it into run command and press Enter.
• Select the OST file that you need to access into another system.

Ways to open OST (Offline Outlook) file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and others

It is mandatory to convert OST mailbox items into PST file to open it into Outlook and there are two ways to do it – first is manual and second is automated OST Converter Tool.

Manual method to convert OST data to PST file using Outlook Import/Export feature

To use this method, few requirements should be fulfilled –

• MS Outlook installation
• Active Outlook account

Please note that you can use this method to export OST mailbox items into PST file only when you have accessible OST file with you.

Given are the steps with Outlook Import/Export wizard –

1. Open MS Outlook. Go to File menu and select Import/Export

2. From the available options, choose Export to a file. Click Next

3. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) from the options and click Next.

4. Select your mail account and choose desired mailboxes to export.

5. Click choose subfolders and click Next

6. Use the Browse button to mention location for the file on your system.

7. Click Finish

You can enter a password for the exported PST file. This step is fully optional. You can skip it. This is the complete process of exporting OST mailbox items into PST file.

Automated method to open OST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, and others

With Softaken OST File Exporter, one can comfortably convert an inaccessible, orphaned, and corrupt OST file to PST, EML, MSG, MBOX, HTML, PDF, NSF, etc. formats. The software will help to export OST file without Exchange Server and export all mailbox items such as emails, contacts, notes, calendars, tasks, etc. into PST format without any compromise. Even, you can perform the conversion without installation of MS Outlook. But later on, to open PST file, Outlook is required. The best part is you can export multiple OST files at once into PST format by getting complete data preview.

Steps to convert OST File with Softaken OST File Exporter:

• Install and launch OST Converter Tool on your system.
• Use the Browse button and add single or multiple OST files.

• Find OST file items displayed on the screen. You can manually mark items to export or can use advanced filters.

• Now, under Export options, choose convert to PST file.

• After this, go to the Browse option and set a path to save the converted PST file.
• Click the Convert Now button to begin exporting OST mailbox items into PST file.

Once, you get PST file, you can easily open it with Outlook application.

Steps to open OST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and older versions

In Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2013

• Go to File tab. Click on Open & Export and then Open Outlook data file

• Browse and add the resultant PST file and hit OK.

In Outlook 2010

• Go to File tab, click on Open and then on Open Outlook data file

• Browse the converted PST file.

In Outlook 2007 and 2003

• Click on File, click Open and finally, click on Outlook Data file
• Select the converted PST file to open OST mailbox items in Outlook

Time to conclude

It is very clear that OST file can't be opened directly into Outlook hence we have provided solution for opening OST file into Outlook by conversion into PST file. For conversion into PST file format, we offered two ways in this post. You can check out both the ways and go with one that suits you better. However, it is suggested to use third-party tool as it considers all types of OST files to export directly into PST, Office 365 and other formats.