Summary: Many users seek a solution to move their OST file data into the Outlook account. So, in this blog, we will demonstrate some of the understanding about the available option for users to import OST to Outlook, which will cover manual and one paid solution.
Outlook uses OST as well as the PST file for saving its data. However, both have their importance. If we look at the OST file, it also allows users to access their data offline. It basically stores the data which is stored on the mailing server. Users sometimes look to import OST to Outlook directly due to their specific requirements. However, it is not possible to directly move the Offline storage table file into Outlook.
So in this blog, we will look at some alternative solutions to solve the above-mentioned purpose.
Common Situation when the user looks to import OST files into Outlook
The reasons to import OST to Outlook will depend upon the user requirements, but there are some known reasons due to many users looking to access OST file data to their Outlook account. We have shared some of them, which are as follows:
- In case users want to move the data from the OST file from their default system to another to meet their specific purpose.
- At times the Exchange server is down for some reason then, which makes issues for the users to access their data.
- Whenever a user requires migrating from their email client into a new one, then the user looks to convert OST to PST and then, later on, move it to their new system.
- Sometimes the user mailbox can face corruption issues, so the user looks to recover them by importing their OST files.
How can the user solve the issue to Import an OST file into Outlook?
Microsoft also stated that no solutions are available to import OST to Outlook, but there are some tricks to solve the issue.

Users can convert their OST file to PST and then open the PST to access their data in their Outlook profile.
Many users might trigger some questions in their minds about the options to make the conversion. Don’t worry. We will now explain to you some of the solutions to convert OST to PST safely. First, we will go upon looking at the manual solution, and then we will proceed toward the third-party software.
Utilize the Import Method to Convert OST file to PST
- Open Outlook, but make sure to open the profile that is configured. Then go to the file tab and look for Open & Export. Now select the Import/Export option.

- Here, kindly pick the Export to a file option, and proceed ahead after clicking on the next button.

- Now the Export to a file dialogue box will come where you need to select the Outlook data file option; once done, kindly hit next.

- Make sure to use this option if you want to look to include or exclude certain folders and sub-folders. Click next to go ahead.

- Select the location to save the Output file via the browse button, and to start the process, kindly click on the finish button.
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Through using Outlook Archive Facility
Now the second option that the user looks to make use of is to archive the OST file to PST, and to execute this procedure safely; we have mentioned the detailed procedure, which are given below:
- Once again, open your Outlook, and look for the Options in the Outlook menu. Click on Account Settings.

- Kindly go to the advanced option, and from the advanced window, kindly pick up the Auto Archive settings option.

- Once down with the above steps, the auto-archiving dialogue box will appear.

- Now users can customized the auto archiving option as per their need. They can make changes in the days to run auto archive, select the output file to save the older data. Once down with it then do click on Ok button.
Note: Through this method, you can only move the emails from the OST files, and if the OST files are corrupted, then this method doesn’t work for you, which solves the purpose to import OST to Outlook account. So instead of using the manual method, there is another option left for users to use third-party software. However, there are multiple software’s available that promises to execute the task. But don’t worry, as we’ll suggest one professional solution which will make your task easier.
Efficient Solution to make the OST to PST files conversion
It is sure that users cannot import OST to Outlook directly. So the alternative solution requires users first to convert their OST files and make them into a PST file. The above method has many drawbacks, so using third-party software is a good option.
Shoviv OST to PST converter software allows users to convert their multiple OST files into PST files. Moreover, this software makes sure to transfer complete data from the OST files, which are missing in the case of the manual methods. After added the required files, the software provides an option to process only the required data from them with the help of its data filter option. Also, before starting the process to convert OST to PST, users can check the added items using the tools preview pane.
The tool also contains the incremental export option, which users can apply to complete the conversion in a couple of stages. Whenever the user resumes the interrupted/stopped process, the tool will process only the remaining data. To know the rest of these advanced software functionalities, users can check with the available free demo version.
Ending Remarks
Evidently, there are no direct manual solutions to import OST to Outlook, which we have also explained in this write-up. So taking help from the above-mentioned paid solution makes sense. However, if the user wants to rest assured about the efficiency of the software, the user can free to analyze it with the demo version. Its free version allows processing the first 50 items from each folder.