1. [Home](https://www.g2.com/) 2. ... 3. [File Converter Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/file-converter) 4. [Convert OST to PST Software Discussions](https://www.g2.com/products/convert-ost-to-pst-software/discuss) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_38f187337af8b97052a9e10a7d60bdaa/convert-ost-to-pst-software.png "Product Avatar Image") ](/products/convert-ost-to-pst-software/reviews) [ Convert OST to PST Software ](/products/convert-ost-to-pst-software/reviews) 0 ratings Convert OST to PST Software is a Windows desktop tool for one job: convert OST to PST when Outlook can no longer open the offline cache. It reads the .ost file directly, including an orphaned one whose profile or mail account no longer exists, and saves a Unicode .pst that repeats the original folder tree. Reading and writing both happen on the PC, so the mailbox is never uploaded. 🔰 How to use the program 1. Copy the .ost from the old PC or a backup to a local disk. 2. Open the file in the program. No Outlook profile or server connection is involved. 3. Check the folder tree to confirm that Inbox, Sent Items and the subfolders are all there. 4. Choose the folder where the new .pst should be saved. 5. Start the export and watch the message counter. The source .ost is left unchanged. 6. In Outlook, attach the result from the File menu, under Open, as an Outlook Data File. 👍 Why IT and office teams pick it to convert OST to PST - Outlook imports .pst archives and nothing else, so a leftover cache needs a converter before anyone can read it. - It works with no Outlook on the machine, which suits a helpdesk bench PC that has no Office license. - An OST to PST converter that runs offline keeps a confidential mailbox out of web upload forms. - The output is not a flat dump. Nested folders land where they were in the source. - Each message arrives with its sender, subject and dates, both the plain text and the HTML body, its attachments and its read state. - Empty system folders such as Search Root are left out, so the archive opens clean. - Outlook 2016 and later versions open the finished archive like any other data file. ✅ Who uses it - IT admins who receive a returned laptop with a cached mailbox and a deleted account. - Help desks rebuilding a PC whose Exchange cache lost its profile. - Former employees and contractors who kept nothing but the cache from their own computer. - Records and compliance staff who must keep a departed colleague's correspondence as a portable archive. - Small offices that find old caches on retired machines after a server was shut down. ❓ FAQ Is Outlook needed to read an OST? Not here. The program parses the file itself and saves a .pst, so the PC needs no Outlook. What does orphaned mean for an OST? The profile or the mail account behind the cache was removed. Outlook will not reattach it, yet the messages are still inside and you can convert OST to PST from it. How do OST and PST differ? An .ost is a synced copy tied to one profile and one account. A .pst stands alone, and any Outlook can open it. Does it handle password-protected files? No. An encrypted or password-protected .ost is reported as an error. ℹī¸ Free trial: download it with no sign-up. Lifetime, yearly, monthly and business licenses are offered. OST to PST conversion needs Windows 10 or 11. A Mac version, a command line mode and a link to live Exchange or IMAP are not part of the product. Show More When users leave Convert OST to PST Software reviews, G2 also collects common questions about the day-to-day use of Convert OST to PST Software. These questions are then answered by our community of 850k professionals. Submit your question below and join in on the G2 Discussion. * * * ### 0.0 Nps Score ### All Convert OST to PST Software Discussions Search Most CommentedMost HelpfulCommon QuestionsNewest All DiscussionsDiscussions with CommentsCommon QuestionsDiscussions without Comments FilterFilter Filter byExpand/Collapse Sort by Most Commented Most Helpful Common Questions Newest Filter by All Discussions Discussions with Comments Common Questions Discussions without Comments Sorry... There are no questions about Convert OST to PST Software yet. ## Start a New Software Discussion Have a software question? Get answers from real users and experts [Start A Discussion](/products/convert-ost-to-pst-software/discussions/new) * * * ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_38f187337af8b97052a9e10a7d60bdaa/convert-ost-to-pst-software.png "Product Avatar Image") ### Have you used Convert OST to PST Software before? Answer a few questions to help the Convert OST to PST Software community [ Yes ](javascript:void(0))[ Yes ](https://www.g2.com/login?context=product_review&return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fproducts%2Fconvert-ost-to-pst-software%2Fdiscuss%3Fsmall_ask%3Dconvert-ost-to-pst-software) No