Outlook stores an offline storage table (.ost) file that keeps a copy of all Exchange, Outlook.com, or IMAP mailbox items on your local computer. The OST file allows you to access e-mails, compose messages and change settings even if your system is not online.
In this article, we discussed a few methods to move an OST file from an Exchange, IMAP or Outlook.com account to another PC or Outlook profile, an Exchange or Office365 account.
The default location of the OST file,
In Outlook 2007 and 2010, the OST is located in the folder location,
C: users YourUusername AppData Local Microsoft Outlook
In Outlook 2013, 2016 and 2019, you can find the OST at the following location,
C: users YourUusername Documents Outlook files
OST file move methods
According to Microsoft, you cannot import mail items from an offline Outlook data file (.OST). You must export all of your Exchange servers, Outlook.com, or the IMAP account mailboxes and mailbox items to the PST file format via the Outlook Import / Export Wizard.
You can then import the PST file into your new Live Exchange, Outlook.com or IMAP account via the Outlook PST import wizard.
Personal storage table or PST is an Outlook data file used to store backup emails and migrate Exchange, IMAP and Outlook.com accounts to a different user account or PC.
You can also use Stellar converter for OST technician Software. The software allows you to export the OST file directly to another IMAP Outlook profile or a Live Exchange account with 100% accuracy and integrity.
Method 1: add ForceOSTPath Register value
The method allows you to move an OST file to a PC. It allows you to change the default OST location to the location desired by the user without any errors.
When to use:
- Follow the method when you want to change the default location of the OST file on the same PC to a different volume or folder path
Steps to move the OST file to another folder path or volume on a PC:
- press the Windows + R button, type regeditand press “Enter”
- Move towards
- Outlook 2016 users
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Office 16.0 Outlook
- Outlook 2013 users
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Office 15.0 Outlook
- Outlook 2010 users
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Office 14.0 Outlook
- Outlook 2007 users
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Office 12.0 Outlook
- Outlook 2003 users
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Office 11.0 Outlook
- Outlook 2016 users
- Right-click on the Outlook subkey, choose ‘New“, Then click on the Expandable string value option
Figure 1: Add a new registry value
- Specify ForceOSTPath and click on “Okay“
Figure 2: Add a registry value
- Right click on the ForceOSTPath and select Edit
- Specify the path of the OST file for saving in the Value box. Click it Okay button
- Close the Registry Editor window
Method 2: via the Outlook import / export wizard
Outlook has a Import / Export wizard that allows you to export mailbox items in PST file format. Follow these steps to export OST mailbox items to an importable Outlook PST file.
When to use:
- Follow the method when you want to change the PC or move OST file data to another Live Exchange, Outlook.com or IMAP account.
- This method only works if your Exchange server, Outlook.com or your IMAP account on Outlook is accessible.
NOTE: This method does not export metadata such as message rules, blocked lists, and folder properties in PST file format. In addition, the method cannot convert an orphan or inaccessible OST to PST.
Follow these steps to export PST via Outlook,
- launch Perspective and go to ‘File> Open & Export> Import / Export “
Figure 3: Import / export Outlook data file
- Select ‘Export to file»And click on«Next“
Figure 4: MS Outlook import / export wizard
- Select ‘Outlook data file (.pst)»And click on« »
Figure 5: Export OST to PST
- Select the email account, click ‘Include subfolders“, Then click on”Next“
Figure 6: Select Outlook Mail Items for Export
- Click on ‘Browse“To select a backup location, then click”Finish ‘
Figure 7: Browse PST save location
You can enter a password to protect the exported PST file from unauthorized import. This step is optional. You can click “OK” without entering the password.
Steps to import PST into Exchange Server, Outlook.com or IMAP account on Outlook
- Open Perspective and log in, if you haven’t already
In Outlook 2007 and 2003
- Click on “File> Import and export …”
Figure 8: 2007 and 2003 import-export prospects
- To select “Import from another program or file” and click ‘Next’
Figure 9: Import PST into Outlook 2007 and 2003
- Select ‘Personal folder file (.pst)»And click on ‘Next’
Figure 10: Outlook 2007 and 2003 PST import wizard
- Click on ‘Browse»And select the PST file
Figure 11: Browse the PST file to import
- Choose the desired Outlook profile into which you want to import PST. Be sure to click ‘Include subfolders“, Then click on”finish“
Figure 12: Select the mail folder
In Outlook 2010
Figure 13: Import option in Outlook 2010
- Select ‘Import from another program or file»And click on«Next“
Figure 14: Importing PST into Outlook 2010
- Select ‘Outlook data file (.pst)»And click on«Next’
Figure 15: Outlook 2010 Import Wizard
- Click on ‘Browse»To choose the PST file and click on«Next“
Figure 16: Browse PST file in Outlook 2010
- Select the email profile, click on the ‘Include subfolders’ check box and then click ‘Finish’
Figure 17: Select the email profile
In Outlook 2013, 2016 and 2019
- Go to ‘File> Open & Export> Import / Export “
- Select ‘Import from another program or file ” and click on “Next“
Figure 18: Outlook 2013, 2016 and 2019 import wizard
- Click on ‘Browse»To choose the PST file and click on«Next“
Figure 19: Browse PST to import
- Select Outlook profile and Click on ‘Finish’
Figure 20: Select the email profile
Method 3: Move the inaccessible OST file directly to Live Exchange, Outlook.com or Outlook IMAP profile
The OST conversion tool such as Stellar Converter for OST is useful when the OST file is inaccessible, orphaned or if you have to move several OST files to another PC or Exchange, Outlook.com or IMAP user account. he convert the OST file to PST and other formats.
There are two editions of the software: Corporate and Technician. The Technician version also allows you to export the OST mailbox items converted directly to the existing Outlook IMAP profile, the Outlook.com account or the Live Exchange server.
Preconditions:
- Installation of Microsoft Outlook
When to use:
- Follow this method when the OST file is not accessible or Outlook does not start. Additionally, when your Live Exchange or Outlook.com account is deleted and you want to move mail items from an orphaned OST to Live Exchange, IMAP or Outlook.com
Steps to move an Exchange, Outlook.com, or IMAP OST file using Stellar converter for OST technician,
- Install and launch Stellar converter for OST Software
- Click on ‘Browse»And choose the OST file
You can also select the ‘Batch conversion » option to convert multiple OST files to corresponding PST files.
Figure 21: Choose an OST file
- Click ‘’ After conversion, a message box will appear. Click on ‘OKAY.“You can now click on an email to preview it before exporting
Figure 22: Overview of mail items after scanning
- Click on the ‘Save the converted file ” under the “Home” tab
Figure 23: Save the converted file
- Choose the PST, Live Exchange, Outlook.com or Outlook Profile option to export the OST file
Figure 24: Select the desired export option
- If you selected PST, choose a backup location and click “OKAY’ to start exporting mail items to PST file format. Then follow the steps mentioned above to import PST into a new Outlook account.
- If “Export to Live Exchange Server” or Export to Office365 “, enter valid credentials to export the OST file.
Figure 25: Enter Live Exchange credentials
Figure 26: Enter Office365 credentials
- Yes ‘Export to an existing Outlook profile‘, Click on ‘Okay»To select the desired profile on the PC and click on«Okay‘and’Okay’To move the contents of the OST file.
Figure 27: Select Outlook profile
Moving an OST file from an Exchange server, Outlook.com or an IMAP account on Outlook directly to another user or PC is not possible without the help of a third-party tool. However, you can export OST mail items to PST to move all mailbox items from the OST file to a new Live Exchange, Outlook.com, or IMAP account, which is discussed in this publication.
The OST file is first converted to the importable Outlook PST file format.
You can use an OST conversion tool described in the publication to export an OST file directly to your Live Exchange, Office 365, or IMAP Outlook profile. It also makes it possible to migrate several OST files to the corresponding PST files in a few clicks, with 100% integrity and precision.