OST files are offline Storage Folders save the information and email data on offline mode. An OST file consists of the actual copy of mailbox data that exists on the MS® Exchange server. In the situation, where the Exchange Server connection is lost, you can access the OST files damaged OST file. Besides this, the OST file does not cause any change in original data while making a copy of the original data from the Exchange Server. You can save the data in OST files and use them later when disconnected with Exchange. Here, three methods are described to repair and view the corrupted or damaged OST file:
- Scanost.exe
- Scanpst.exe
- OST to PST Converter
Table of Contents
First Method – Scanost.exe:
Scanost.exe is not the new tool for Outlook users. They are aware of its working. This tool can easily open and view the severely corrupted/damaged OST files. It is just viewing, but this tool can repair the badly damaged OST files as well. The other name of this utility is the Integrity Check Tool because it first, checks the integrity. The location of Scanost is Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office version.
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Merits of Scanost.exe:
- This effective tool can scan and compare OST file data available on Exchange.
- It can easily find the conflict between server and client.
- This will maintains the harmony between server and client.
- It can successfully find scan log files in the Deleted items folder of Outlook.
Demerits of Scanost.exe:
- Scanost.exe fails to maintain data integrity.
- It does not repair or recover the corrupted OST files.
- You cannot use this facility to repair petty errors and corruption issues.
- It is comfortable to work with MS Outlook 2010 and other latest versions.
Second Method – Scanpst.exe:
This is the latest tool to rely on using for OST and PST files. You can trust this tool for opening, viewing, and repair badly damaged OST files. This is an inbuilt facility from Microsoft and usable for Outlook data files. You can find this facility located in the Office folder inside the MS® Office installation folder. This utility is also popular as Outlook Inbox Repair Tool as it can amiably repair OST and PST files both.
Merits of Scanpst.exe
- It supports opening and viewing healthy and corrupted OST and PST files.
- It can easily repair corrupted Outlook data files.
- You can trust this tool for recovering damaged Outlook data.
- It is a free utility by Microsoft.
- There is no compatibility issue while using this facility
- You can use this facility with all MS Outlook editions
Demerits of Scanpst.exe
- It can only be helpful for petty corruption issues.
- It can’t repair OST and PST files bigger than 2GB in size.
- As a user, you need to run this utility several times to repair files
Third Method – OST to PST Converter:
OST to PST Converter is an efficient software solution to open and view the damaged OST files. This easy-to-use can be used conveniently by technical and non-technical users. This software can easily open password-protected OST files without any password.
Merits of OST to PST Converter
- The software is user-friendly which helps to produce effective results.
- It can transfer contacts and calendars in different formats
- This will supports working with all Outlook editions
- It maintains the folder hierarchy with the same folder structure
Because of the above-mentioned advantages, many users want to buy this third-party software.
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Step-by-step process to run the software are as follows:
- First install the software on your PC
- You will find options to add an OST file. It comprises of small windows with two buttons. Choose either File Mode or Folder Mode.
- After OST files and folders are added, users will get the complete view of the OST files. Press the Export button.
- Once you hit the Export button, a Convert Form will appear on the screen with several options.
- If you want to export the complete OST data then use Export options. Many options will appear such as PST, EML, EMLX, HTML, PDF, Office 365 etc.
- In the next step, you will find the Advanced Filters option which helps to filter the data as per the date range.
- If you want t o export only Address Book from the OST file then go to the Address Book tab and select the file format – CSV, VCF, and MSG.
- For Calendars – select either ICS or MSG.
- For Attachments: Choose the Attachment tab
- Email: In the case of email address, the email addresses are saved in the text file.
- In this step, you will find options such as separate file for each OST, Include Sent Items folder, Ignore Empty Folders.Choose as per the requirement.
- The last step consisted of Output Location. Users can use the ‘Browse’ button and select the path to save the exported database.
Note: There are Pause and Stop options, can be used to pause the process and stop the conversion task.
Conclusion
If you cannot view the damaged OST file data without Outlook, you can use OST to PST Converter. Though there are free-of-cost tools are available but they cause various demerits. Thus use the recommended software to solve the purpose.