Techwebly | Outlook is the most popular email client all over the world because it provides extra features than other email clients. Outlook stores its data in two file formats, PST and OST that is why we frequently see these files in our daily work. But many of us don’t have much clarity about the difference between OST and PST, today in this article we will discuss everything about OST and PST.
What are PST Files?
PST (personal storage table) file is a data file of Outlook. This file stores local copies of emails, tasks, calendars, contacts etc. PST files also allow users to export and import data into another device. whenever we configure our account with any POP protocol it create PST files.
And when we used POP so all emails are downloaded to our computer locally, and after downloading it could be deleted from the server. after knowing the basics of PST files let discuss important points of Outlook PST
Some Features of PST Files
- PST reduce the amount of data residing on email servers
- These files are synced with the email server when you perform any action
- It also allows users to use password protection over its content
- it is always a good idea to keep a backup of your emails in the local PST file on your computer
- you can use multiple kind of security across your PST file to prevent unauthorized access
What Are OST Files?
When we configure an Outlook account by using IMAP so Outlook creates two data files one is OST and another is PST.
Outlook use OST files (Offline Data Files) to store a synchronized copy of data in your local system. When you store your data in OST format so whenever your connection gets interrupted, you can still access your complete data such as emails, contacts, notes, tasks, and calendar. You can perform many things like you can read, compose emails, create an appointment, and add contacts etc., without internet. however, you will not be able to send and receive new emails and no new message will be downloaded until your internet connection is reconnected.
but the possibility of corruption is high in OST file because whenever a hard disk crashes down, all the stored data become inaccessible or corrupted, OST files can also be corrupted due to storage media failure.
Some Features of OST Files
- If you are performing any action on your emails so it also affects the copy of the email stored in the server
- Users can easily access OST files without having an internet connection
- These files are synchronized with the email server
- These files are not conventional files that can be password protected
- If you want to import OST files into other email clients so you have to first change the file format of the OST file because it cannot be directly imported to other services.
What Are the Difference Between OST and PST?
OST and PST both are data formats of Outlook. These files are used to store Outlook items such as emails, contacts, calendars, notes and tasks. OST files cannot be import to other computers whereas PST files can import to other computers. PST files are friendly for backup because users can easily transfer them from one system to another.
OST vs PST
| OST (Offline Storage Table) | PST (Personal Storage Table) |
| It has two-way synchronized only with Exchange Server and IMAP | Compatible with multiple email servers |
| It allows data to access in every situation even when you don’t have the internet connection | It does not allow to access the data when you don’t have an internet connection |
| Only the original MAPI profile can be used to get to it | All Outlook accounts can import a PST file |
| OST files can be easily corrupted or damaged | PST files are not easily corrupt |
| OST files can be repaired with the ScanOST.exe tool | With help of the ScanPST.exe tool, users can fix the error of PST files |
Maybe now you understand the difference between OST and PST. And as you read that OST files can be corrupted easily and if OST files get corrupted and become inaccessible, we don’t have any option to get them back that is why many of us want to convert OST files into other formats but you must know that there is no manual solution to do so.
The only possible way to fix it is the Corbett OST to PST Converter. It is a professional solution to convert orphan, damaged OST files to PST format without any data loss and this software is recommended by many users.
Steps to Convert OST to PST
Step-1. Download and install the software on your system
Step-2. After that Browse the OST file in Tool and view the complete data
Step-3. Select the PST Export option to save your OST data in PST
Step-4 Then click on the “Save” button to save your data
Step-5. After that, you can see your Exported PST Files after the Completion
Conclusion:
Here we have discussed Outlook file OST and PST and difference between OST and PST and we know that there are some problems that come with OST files that we why we try to keep our data in PST format. To do so, we have provided you with a tool through which you can easily convert your OST file into PST.