A simple way to move Outlook OST file to a new computer

Read time 10 minutes

OST is a file format used by Outlook to store your mailbox data securely. OST is an offline folder file that allows you to access emails even if you are not online. If you are looking to migrate OST files to a new computer, then this blog will guide you complete the migration effortlessly. OST file is a crucial element for Outlook’s emailing environment, and this file makes it possible to view and manage your emails even in offline mode. If you want to move an OST file to a new computer, there are some indirect ways to do that.

If you are the administrator of the Exchange profile, you can configure your Outlook account on the new computer and simply download the mailbox data from the Exchange Server. But if you want to transfer OST file data to another user, you can convert OST file to PST and then transfer it to the new computer. The new user can import this PST file to his mailbox.

Moving further in this blog we will learn how to move OST file to new computer manually with Outlook’s exporting module. Will achieve the same result with an automated OST to PST converter tool, which offers a fast and secure exporting experience.

Move OST file to a new computer easily

Utilizing proven and reliable techniques to perform complex tasks like exporting OST file is crucial. This article segment will briefly explain the steps needed for exporting and converting OST file to PST. Read and follow the procedure thoroughly to prevent any failure.

Know the name and location of your OST file on your system

Before you proceed to move OST file to a new computer, you first should know where to find it. So, if you are wondering where these files are located on your system, then here we are going to mention it all. If you want to know the name and location of your OST file on your system, then do as mentioned below. The process is the same for almost every version of Windows.

1. Press Windows+S and type Control Panel.
2. Select and launch Control Panel.
3. Now, make sure that the category customization is set to Small Icons.
4. Now, locate the Mail option in Control Panel and click on it.



5. Now, a small Mail Setup dialogue box will open. There you need to click on the Data Files button.

   

6. Once done, an Account Settings window will open. There make sure you are on the Data Files tab, this should be the default though; if you are not on that page, make sure you do click on it.
7. Now, select the account for which you want to know the OST file location. You will notice that a location is mentioned. That is what you were looking for. Trace the location and get your OST files. You can also select the desired OST file and click on the Open File Location tab to go to the folder directly.



8. The directory containing your OST file will be opened. Search and access the OST file you need.

Now, we will begin exporting the OST file. We will use two ways to complete the task, one with Outlook’s export module and another with an advanced OST to PST converter tool.

Exporting OST file with Outlook

Outlook, with its abundance of advanced features, also offers an export utility to export and move OST files to a new computer as a PST file. Follow the steps mentioned below in the same manner:

1. Launch Outlook and click File from the menu.
2. Select Open & Export, then click Import/Export.
3. In the Import and Export Wizard select Export to a file and click on Next.
4. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click on Next.
5. Now specify the folder you want to export and ensure to check the Include subfolders checkbox. Click Next.
6. Click Browse and choose a location to save your PST file and click Finish to initiate the exporting process.
7. Navigate to the location specified in the previous step and verify your PST file.

Converting OST file with advanced OST to PST converter tool

Outlook, being a robust product from Microsoft, is still susceptible to errors and bugs. If, for any unspecified reason, Outlook fails to export your OST file, then you can use an alternate method to move the OST file to a new computer.
Here, we will use an automated tool Kernel OST to PST converter, embedded with powerful algorithms to efficiently convert any OST file to PST. The OST to PST converter tool offers a user-friendly interface to make the conversion process accessible.

1. Locate OST in your system:

Locate the OST in your system with the help of the steps discussed above.

2. Install and run the software and click on the Browse button to select the OST file. Click on the Next button to proceed.


NOTE: Using the tool, you can search for OST files too (use the Search button).

3. Here you can have the preview of the items in the OST file. Click Save.



4. Select PST file (MS Outlook) and click Next.



5. Apply mailbox data filters as per your requirements. Click on Next.



6. Manage PST file by deciding whether to split it or attach a prefix. Click Next.



7. Click Browse to provide a destination to the new file and select your Saving Preferences. Click on Finish to start the saving process.



8. After saving the data, click on OK.

The software can efficiently convert an OST file to various formats like PST, MSG, EML, etc., which simplifies the process to move OST file to a new computer. This tool ensures the integrity of files and keeps the original hierarchy and structure of the files and items. It is powerful enough to convert all OST items along with their attachments. The tool has many exciting features, like retrieving data from orphaned files, exporting contacts from Outlook exporting contacts from Outlook, recovering deleted items, etc.

Copy the PST file and generate a new Outlook account

Copy the newly converted PST file to the target user’s computer after you are done exporting and converting the OST file with Outlook or OST to PST tool. Also, in the meantime, create a new Outlook profile in which you want to import the PST file. Alternatively, you can also import the mailbox in PST file in an old Outlook profile if needed.
Now, after you are done with the task of moving the OST file to a new computer, we will begin the process of importing and integrating the file in Outlook.

Import PST to Outlook

Finally, import the PST file you created in the previous section to Outlook by following the below-mentioned steps:

1. Open Outlook and click on the File button on the top left corner of the screen. In the Open & Export category, select Import/Export.



2. Use the option Import from another program or file (in Import and Export Wizard) and click on Next.



3. Here, select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.



4. Browse and select the file to import, select your preferred choice from Options and click on Next.

   

5. Here, select the various folder options as required. Click Finish.

Conclusion

Users with access to administrator privileges can create a new profile in the target system and synchronize the old mail with the new profile. Others can follow the concise procedures mentioned in this blog to safely move OST files to a new computer by exporting with Outlook or converting with an OST converter. It would be best to employ the professional OST to PST converter tool to procure the OST file quickly and effectively. The tool is equipped with various unparalleled features and can even assist in migrating Rackspace hosted Exchange OST file to Microsoft 365.