How to Move OST File to New Computer? Complete Guide
Summary: Do you want to move OST file to new computer and are unable to find a precise method? If yes, then don’t worry. Here we will show you 2 Do It Yourself (DIY) methods to transfer OST file to another computer. Let’s continue reading this knowledgebase article and get 2 universally accepted techniques to move Outlook OST file to new computer.
Emailing is the most extensive means of technology to communicate from one place to another, and MS Outlook is one of the best desktop clients. This is available with a set of business applications to enhance business and personal communication.
Additionally, MS Outlook stores all the email messages, tasks, calendars, and other saved items on a local computer. Outlook creates OST (Offline Storage Table) or PST (Personal Storage Table) files to store its data depending on the account configuration settings.
The OST file is created when you connect MS Outlook with a Microsoft Exchange account. Your items usually get delivered, and the copies of sent and received items are kept under a local storage drive. Also, if you configure an email account using IMAP settings, then Outlook also creates an OST file.
In addition, the Outlook Offline file allows working with messages when you are not connected to the Internet. Somehow, if your OST file gets damaged, then there is no manual way to import OST file into Outlook. So, read the post carefully, and follow each step to avoid failure.
Circumstances to Transfer OST File to New Computer
Upgrading Computer: When a user purchases a new computer and wishes to view OST emails on it, then, the user prefers to move OST file to new computer.
Data Backup: Several users want to copy Outlook OST file to another computer for backup purposes. That seems beneficial for accidental data recovery.
Workplace Transition: When an organization transfers some employees to a different workstation with new separate machines, then, administrators often prefer to transfer Outlook OST file to new computer.
Outlook Upgrade: Sometimes business professionals want to upgrade their Outlook version on a new machine. Then at that point, they usually move Outlook OST file to new computer.
Brief Steps to Free Move OST File to New Computer
- Launch MS Outlook on your old computer.
- Export Outlook email to USB drive in PST format.
- Move PST file from old computer to new via USB drive.
- Run the MS Outlook client on your new machine.
- Import PST file to Outlook client on new PC.
Important Note: Users who have basic technical knowledge of Outlook, can easily perform the above-mentioned 5 steps to transfer OST file to new computer. If you face any difficulty in performing these sets of instructions, then follow the below-mentioned pointers where we have discussed all the steps in detail.
How to Transfer OST File to New Computer Manually?
In Outlook, Import and Export Wizard is an in-built utility that allows you to import and export emails. Here, you can see the complete steps to move Outlook OST file to new computer using ‘Import and Export Wizard’.
Stage 1: Export Data from Outlook
- Launch ‘MS Outlook desktop’ on your old computer.
- Select File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export.
- Then, choose ‘Export to a file‘ and click Next.
- Select ‘Outlook Data File (.pst)‘ and select Next.
- Choose the configured profile and hit the Next button.
- Tap on ‘Browse‘ and set a specific destination path.
- Click ‘Finish‘ to start exporting Outlook OST to PST.
Note: After exporting data in PST format, copy and paste the PST file from the old computer to the new computer using a USB drive and complete the stage 2 continue.
Stage 2: Import Data in Outlook
- Run MS Outlook on your new computer and choose ‘File‘.
- Select ‘Open & Export‘ and then choose ‘Import/Export‘.
- Choose ‘Import from another program‘ and file and press Next.
- Select ‘Outlook Data File (.pst)‘ and tap the Next button.
- Click Browse and choose the PST file from your machine that is to be imported.
- Tap on ‘Next‘ and then, choose a specific path to import a PST file.
- Press Finish to start moving OST file to new computer.
Know Manual Method Limitations
- To transfer OST file to new computer manually, the OST file must be connected to the Outlook profile.
- The manual method does not allow moving an orphaned OST file to another computer’s Outlook profile.
- This is a lengthy and time-consuming process as you see, you will need to complete 2 phases to perform this task.
- MS Outlook should be installed and configured on both computers to move OST file to new computer.
Pro Way to Move Outlook OST File to New Computer
As Outlook does not support the Import option for OST files, you need to go for a commercial third-party utility that allows you to perform this task like the BitRecover OST File Converter Tool.
This is a cost-effective and reliable software to transfer Outlook OST file to new computer. The tool comes with a free trial version that allows you to move 25 emails from each OST file to new computer. Hence, you can evaluate it in your free trial zone before upgrading to the premium version and eventually, grab its license keys.
How to Transfer OST File to New Computer?
- Download and run the software to copy OST files to New Computer.
- After that, if Outlook is connected to the same machine, then choose ‘Convert Configured Outlook Mailbox Data‘ otherwise add the OST files manually by using the ‘Select Files‘ and ‘Select Folders‘ options.
- Now all the data will appear on the screen, select the required data and click on ‘Next‘.
- After that, click on the Select Saving Option. Here you will get 30+ file formats and email clients out of which you need to select the option as per your requirements. If you want to move OST file into another Outlook, then choose the ‘PST‘ file.
- Now select the desired location as per your choice.
- Lastly, press the ‘Convert‘ button to start the process of conversion.
Note: After getting the PST file, you can import it into any version of Outlook as explained in above stage 2.
Software Features to Copy Outlook OST File to Another Computer
- The software allows you to add the OST file automatically from the default storage location if your Outlook account connects with the same machine.
- The utility also provides 2 options to add single and multiple OST files at one time by using the ‘Select Files‘ and ‘Select Folders‘ options.
- Also, users can easily transfer OST file to another computer including emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and other data without any file size restrictions.
- The automated tool can easily transfer multiple files without any hassles. Also, there is an option to repair damaged OST files in healthy format.
- Also, the utility preserves all the email attributes and components like BCC, CC, To, Date, Subject, Fonts, Dates, Inline, Formatting, Images, Audios, Videos, and other components.
- It allows you to manage PST files by deciding size, language, separate, and other crucial settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: Can I copy OST file to new computer manually?
Yes, if OST file is connected to Outlook, then you can copy OST file to new computer. Unfortunately, if you have an orphan OST then it is not possible.
Q 2: How can I move OST file to new computer?
You can follow the manual steps and automated sets of instructions to move Outlook OST file to new computer.
Q 3: Does your software support Windows 11?
Yes, the recommended utility is fully compatible with all the latest and previous versions of Windows OS, which automatically includes the latest version – Windows 11.
Time to Say Goodbye
A user must transfer the data files when using the same account on several computers. Ideally, when you establish an Outlook account, an OST file contains all emails, contacts, calendars, and to-do items. If you wish to move OST file to new computer manually, then you must follow some rules. Though for this, you really need some technical skills to accomplish the task. Thus, to make the process more simple, users can continue with an automated solution to copy Outlook OST files to another computer without any failure.
