Summary: When you use Microsoft Outlook in Cached Exchange mode, OST (Outlook Offline Storage Table) files serve as a local cache for your mailbox data. However, these OST files may become “orphaned” in some situations when they are unplugged from an attached Exchange mailbox. This can happen for several reasons, including mailbox deletion or server migration. Opening orphan OST files can be difficult, but don’t worry; This article will help you through the step-by-step process to open orphaned OST files. So, let us start the blog.
Let us start the blog by learning about orphan files.
What is an Orphaned OST File?
A separate copy of your mailbox data that is no longer associated with your Outlook profile or Exchange Server is an orphan OST file. This can happen when you modify your email account settings, delete a mailbox, or server problems occur. When this happens, you may lose access to your mailbox data, but the information is not destroyed – it is simply stored in an orphan OST file on your computer.
Location of OST File:
By Default OST file is stored:
C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
After knowing about the file, let us move further below and know the actual reasons for the file being orphaned.
Why Do Users Want to Open Orphaned OST File?
There are many reasons behind offline storage table OST files becoming orphans. So, below we have introduced you to some reasons which are more important.
- Data storage device failure. For example, suppose your hard disk has some bad sectors and your Exchange Server databases are stored on these partitions. At that time, you will be able to read only a part of the database file. On the other hand, the data you read is incorrect and full of inaccuracies. This type of data corruption makes the database inaccessible and your OST file becomes orphan.
- Viruses and other malicious software are examples of malicious software. Many infections will corrupt and corrupt the Exchange Server databases, rendering them unusable, and leaving the OST file orphaned. It is highly advised that you install good anti-virus software for your Exchange Server framework.
- Mistakes made by humans. Inadvertently deleting the database, incorrectly parsing the storage media, and mixing working frameworks will all render the Exchange Server database unusable, rendering the OST file orphaned.
After knowing all the important things related to opening OST file. Now, let’s go ahead and learn all the solutions to open an orphan OST file.
Therefore, there are no manual methods that can help you open your OST file. In that case, you will have to use third-party software. Well, next we are going to tell you the best and most reliable solution.
Open Orphaned OST File – Automated Tool
If you want to view your OST file, then you can use this OST Viewer Tool. By using this brilliant software, you can easily open your OST file without needing Outlook. Moreover, this tool gives the advanced option to analyze OST file emails, contacts, journals, calendars, notes, and tasks.
Furthermore, users can easily open orphan, normal, password-protected, encrypted Outlook OST Files in just a few clicks. Also, this tool gives you the best two modes: Quick Scan and Advance Scan to view OST (Offline Storage Table).
How to Use this Tool?
- Download this software on your local computer to start the process.
- Now, add the OST file in the software panel by clicking on the “Add Files” button.
- After that, select “Quick and Advanced Modes” according to your requirements.
- Then, choose an item that you want to view.
- Finally, you can open the file from a Horizontal View to a Vertical View.
Now, if you want to convert your OST file into another file format like PST. Then, you can go with the below-mentioned Tool to open Orphaned OST File.
Convert OST to PST Format – Solution
OST to PST Converter by Revove is one of the most popular tools to convert OST files to PST format without losing data. This software is highly tested by IT experts and is used by both tech and non-users.
It also converts OST files into many different mail file formats such as PST, EML MBOX, MSG, EMLX, and NSF. Apart from this, it converts many document formats like CSV, ICS, TXT, PDF, vCard, HTML, MHT, DOCX, DOC, and RTF. Also, this tool is capable of converting an Orphaned OST File to a PST File and saving it in any location on Windows.
Working Steps of Software
- Launch this tool on your local OS system to start the conversion process.
- Then, locate the OST File which you want to export in PST file format.
- After that, preview the browsed OST mailbox data items and hit the Export button.
- Finally, choose PST file format and browse the destination location to convert OST to PST.
Best Features of this Software
- Allows you to convert Hosted Exchange Server OST files to PST files without restrictions.
- Convert Offline OST Encrypted, Password Protected, and Damaged to PST File Format
- There are no size restrictions for OST files: Search for any size OST file and convert it to PST format.
- Create the required size PST by splitting the converted PST into 2GB, 5GB, 10GB, and so on.
- Allows for Folder Mapping in Dutch, French, German, Spanish, and Swedish.
- Without Outlook, Exchange Profiles, or Server Connectivity, Convert OST to PST
Time to Wind-up
Throughout this blog, we have given all the information about how you can Open Orphaned OST Files. Also, in this blog, we have told you two types of tools through which you can view the hosted file without the need for any email client and can convert it into many different file formats.
If you are thinking of getting a manual solution to open the OST file, then there is no such manual solution available here that can help you. But you can make this work easier by investing one time using the tools mentioned by us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: Why would I need to open an orphaned OST file?
Ans: Opening an orphaned OST file can be necessary to access and recover data from the file, such as emails, contacts, or calendar items, that might be otherwise inaccessible due to issues with the mailbox or server.
Q 2: What precautions should I take before opening an orphaned OST file?
Ans: Before attempting to open an orphaned OST file, ensure that you have a backup of the file in case anything goes wrong during the conversion process. Additionally, make sure you have proper permissions and authorization to access the data within the OST file.
Q 3: Can I recover deleted emails from an orphaned OST file?
Ans: If the deleted emails are still present in the orphaned OST file, you may be able to recover them during the conversion to PST. However, if the emails were deleted and then permanently removed from the mailbox, they may not be recoverable from the OST file.
Q 4: Can I open orphaned OST file on Mac or other email clients?
Ans: OST files are primarily used with Microsoft Outlook and are not natively supported by other email clients or platforms like Mac Mail. To access the data in an OST file on a Mac or other email client, you may still need to convert it to PST format.