“I have changed my job recently and we use Microsoft Outlook in both the companies for email communication. I have an OST file which was created in my previous Outlook and now I want to access my crucial emails in my new Microsoft Outlook. But, I don't know how to open old OST file in Outlook 2016. Can anybody please help me out in this scenario?”

“I am using Exchange Server for a long time now and my Server ID is recently changed. I lost all my email messages which were stored in my previous ID but now I want to import OST file to Outlook 2010. Is there any easy solution to add the file?”

The OST file stores the same data as of the Exchange Server mailbox on the local system. This data file proves to be usefil in scenarios when the users can continue their work on the email messages even if they are not connected to Microsoft Exchange. However, it can be tricky while working with this file if it is in offline mode and you want to view it in Outlook. So, many users need to open OST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 but some of them don’t know the exact procedure of doing so. Thus, we come up with a solution to read Outlook OST files in Microsoft Outlook using simple solutions.

The PST file aka Personal Storage Table contains all the important data of Microsoft Outlook such as emails, calendar, contacts, tasks, etc. These files are stored locally on the computer system. The PST file are not directly connected to the Exchange Server as a result of which these files can be easily transferred from one machine to another. This functionality of the PST file makes it different from the Outlook OST file due to which the OST file are system dependent. But we can easily import OST file in Outlook without Exchange profile or server connectivity.

The Offline Storage Table (OST) saves the exact replica of Exchange Server mailbox on the local system and this file is synchonized with Exchange Server. Due to this reason, a user cannot move the OST file to another computer and wants to know how to open OST file in Microsoft Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019. Although, there are some restrictions in the OST file, it allows users to read and view email messages and compose them even when they are offline / not connected to the Internet. And once the connection is established, the modifications done in the OST file are synchronized with the Exchange Server.

Why Users Want to Open OST File in Outlook?

The MS Outlook forums are usually filled with queries like the user is disconnected from the Exchange Server due to any of the possible reasons and his/hers Outlook profile is created again. So, is there any method to open old OST file in Outlook to access the previous profile’s mailbox data?

There are some situations when the users have their old OST file which are no longer in use and are not associated with Microsoft Outlook’s currrent profiles. Now, they want to access their mailbox data stored in those file without Exchange profile or server connectivity.

Now, if we talk about all the above-mentioned queries, Outlook does not provide any in-built option to import OST file to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010. Thus, the users cannot access their old Offline Outlook data file’s email messages and other items. So, the crucial data stored in the OST file cannot be accessed by the users forever? And the answer is No. The following section of the post explains the step by step procedure to open OST file in another Outlook or the some Outlook as per the requirement.

But before going to the import process, many users don’t know the storage location where the OST file is stored. So, let us first find out the location where it is located in the local system.

Default OST File Location

Outlook cannot directly import OST file in Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016 and so if you want to copy your offline data you will have to convert OST to PST. So, for the conversion process you need to open or read Outlook OST files from the default location in Outlook. You could easily find OST files in system by having the following file location.

C:\Users\user name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\user name\username.ost.

In different versions the Outlook OST file location differs

For Outlook 2019, 2016 & 2013

The users can easily find out the storage location of the OST file by performing the following steps:

• Launch Outlook and click on File tab.
• Under the Account Information Window, click on Account Settings >> Account Settings...
• In the Account Settings Window, click on Data File tab and it will show different data files.
• To go to the file location, select the OST file and click on Open File Location.

For Outlook 2010

To import OST file in Outlook 2010, the users just have to perform the steps mentioned below:

• Go to File tab from the Ribbon and hit Info tab button from the menu.
• Now, click the Account Settings tab and then click on Account Settings again.
• Here, a list will appear, choose Microsoft Exchange Server and then click on Change button.
• Click on More Settings option.
• Now, from the Advanced tab, click on Offline Folder File Settings option.

Windows XP
Drive: \Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

For Outlook 2007

Windows Vista
Drive: \Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Windows XP or Windows Server 2003
Drive: \Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Open Old OST File in Outlook Effortlessly

There are various methods available using which the users can import their offline Outlook data file. But, the best method and the most suggested solution suggested by the experts is SysTools OST to PST Converter. The market is flooded with these kind of software as there are many providers of it but not all of the tools provide secure and reliable conversion.

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But, the tool to import old OST file in another Outlook profile provided by SysTools is the most recommended software by industry experts. It allows users to accomplish long, tiring and difficult tasks with ease that too without losing any crucial data. The users can convert their entire mailbox items including emails, calendar, contacts, etc. into PST format and then the output file can be accessed in Microsoft Outlook. The software makes the entire process convenient and hassle free. Moreover, the users can also try the free trial version of the tool in which they can export 25 items per folder.

Manual Methods to Open OST File in Outlook

You would find here easy methods to access Outlook OST file

Method 1: Simple Methods to Read Outlook 2010 OST file

The method would also go for Outlook 2016, 2013

• Click on File from menu
• Goto Open
• Then select Open Outlook Data File
• Navigate to the .pst file location when you open
• Click Open to view Outlook OST files

Steps to Import OST File in Outlook 2007

This method would work for Outlook 2007, 2003 and older versions.

• Click on File
• Goto Open
• Then choose Outlook data file
• Select PST file you want to open
• Click on Ok button.

The above methods is the simplest to read Outlook OST files

Method 2: Open OST File in Outlook Manually For Free

Here we would view Outlook OST files by drag and drop method

• First Exit from Outlook.
• In Control Panel, click on Mail.
• From the E-mail tab, select the Exchange account
• Then click Change.
• Clear Use Cached Exchange Mode check box.
• Click on More Settings.
• In the Advanced tab, click Offline Folder File Settings.
• Click on Disable Offline Use, and then click on yes in the dialog box that pops up.
• Again, click Offline Folder File Settings.
• Click OK.
• Click yes in the dialog box that appears
• Under Cached Exchange Mode Settings, select the Use Cached Exchange Mode check box.
• Click OK
• Then click on Next
• And click Finish.
• In the Account Settings and Mail Setup dialog boxes, click Closed

Manual methods to open 2 OST files in Outlook are a bit time consuming and may not be much reliable all the time. There are chances that the users may loss their crucial data while performing the converison process. So, instead of taking risk and going with the free method, the best option is to use the third-party application offered in the above section and easily import old OST file.

Frequently Asked Questions on Opening OST files in Outlook Errors

Here are some of the most frequently asked queries related to read OST files in Outlook 2016 / 2013 / 2010 etc.

• The file username .ost is in use and cannot be accessed error
• Cannot open OST files in Outlook 2010
• Microsoft Outlook Not Responding
• Set of folders cannot be opened in Outlook 2016 & 2013

These errors on how to import OST file to Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010 & 2007 would be solved by following the methods mentioned in this section.

Conclusion

After analyzing the issues faced by the users while trying to access their old Offline Outlook data file, we have come up with various number of solutions. This post includes both manual and automated solution to open OST file in Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016. The users can choose any of the method for conversion depending on their needs and requirements. However, the manual procedure is free to perform, but there are chances of failure in it. So, it is advisable for not wasting the time while executing the manual method and opt for the software for efficient and reliable conversion.