When we use Microsoft Outlook in cached mode, the data of your mailbox is stored locally in an OST (Offline Storage Table) file. These OST Files can be piled up in different folders, drives, or user profiles in systems. This also becomes a problem when you need to restore the transfer or you need to back up the data of your mailbox, especially when you don’t know where the OST file is located.
In summary, the most effective solution is to scan the entire computer for all the OST files and convert them at once into a readable file format like PST. This process also makes sure that no data has been missed and allows you to open all your Outlook mailboxes, contacts, and other items in any version of the Outlook application.
Merge and Convert the OST File: Why You Should Scan the Entire Computer
Multiple OST files may exist on your PC if:
- Used multiple Outlook profiles or email accounts.
- Reconfigured your Exchange or Office 365 account several times.
- Outlook or Windows crashed, leaving behind orphaned OSTs.
- You restored system backups containing older OST files.
If you only convert one OST file at a time, there is a risk of losing important data. Instead, you scan the entire computer for all OST files and convert them at once; you can check every mailbox at once while saving time without the risk of losing your important data.
#1: Locate OST Files Manually on Your System
The first work to do is to identify where the OST files are located. You can search them through Windows File Explorer or with Outlook’s default data directory.
#1A: Using Windows Search
- Click on Windows + E to open File Explorer.
- Type OST in the search bar and tap Enter.
- Wait till the Windows scans all drives for OST files.
- Once you complete the process, you’ll see a list of all OST files found on your PC.
- Note down or copy their file paths for future reference.
#2A: Check the Default Outlook Data Folder
OST Files are located depending on your Outlook version
- Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook - Outlook 2013 or earlier:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\
Why Manual Conversion Isn’t Enough: Scan the Entire Computer for All OST Files and Convert at Once
Once you’ve located your OST file, the next thing is to convert it to PST so it can be accessed and used again in Outlook. However, Outlook itself does not support direct OST to PST conversion. The Import/Export feature only works if the original OST is still connected to its mailbox.
If the OST files are orphaned, damaged, or belong to deleted accounts, manual methods fail. This is where a specialized tool becomes important to use, one that can scan the entire computer for all OST files and convert them at once, safely, without data loss
#2 Merge and Convert the OST File – The Simplest Automated Solution
To remove the problem of finding and converting OST files manually, the SysTools OST to PST Converter gives a complete, automated solution. It’s made to detect, repair, and convert all OST files on your system at once without requiring Outlook or an Exchange server connection.
Key Features of this Software
- Scans your entire computer or selected drives to automatically locate all OST files.
- Enables to conversion of many OST files into PST format.
- Recovers mailbox items from corrupted or orphaned OST files before transfer.
- Besides PST, it also supports exporting to EML, MSG, and MBOX formats.
- Maintains your original Outlook structure and metadata.
This tool is the most effective way to scan the entire computer for all OST files and convert them at once, ensuring every mail is accessible and used again.
#3 Steps to Scan and Convert Automatically
- Install the Tool.
- Select and add the file you want to export.
- Preview the data in the mailbox with the tool.
- Choose the required folder only and apply the filter for easy export.
- Choose the file format for the output.
- Complete the process by clicking the Export option.
Benefits of Scanning and Converting All OST Files at Once
Using a professional tool offers many Advantages:
- It saves time by automatically detecting OST files in the drive.
- Prevents data loss by including every OST file from your system.
- Recovers corrupted or inaccessible OST files automatically.
- Outlook transfer, backup, and recovery processes.
When you’re managing multiple Outlook profiles or restoring data from users, the ability to scan the entire computer for all OST files and convert them at once ensures a complete and secure recovery.
Final Thoughts
In this Article, we have learned that searching and converting OST files one by one can be exhausting and time-consuming. Instead, using an advanced tool allows you to scan the entire computer for all OST files and convert at once to complete recovery with less effort, without the risk of data loss of your important documents.