Convert Outlook Offline File to PST

Outlook offline files cannot be converted directly to PST since they require a connection with the Exchange Server to be accessed. The scenario of conversion is mostly needed when a user needs to take away their mailbox with them on leaving the current employment.

The Need to Convert Outlook Offline File to PST

Employees more often delete their account from Exchange Server or take with them the Outlook offline file of the respective mailbox to convert Outlook offline file to PST for its independent usage. However, the conversion requires linking up with Exchange Server to open the same account.

In that scenario, there is no link to connect with the Exchange Server or the restore point is not created. Nevertheless, there are some tricks as well which can serve the purpose in some cases but are limited.

Cause of Conversion

The main cause is corruption due to reasons like virus infection, improper shutdown, mishandling of file, etc., which leads to a corrupted file to which user mailbox cannot be accessed even though the user is connected to Exchange server.

Challenges Faced By Users

Server Related Issues - This is the most common problem faced by users, as they can’t connect to the Exchange server due to some network problem.

Error Loading File in Outlook - Sometimes the user can’t load the Outlook offline file.

Storage Size Availability - Users facing storage trouble as the disk limit for a particular user reach the threshold value on the Exchange Server.

File Splitting & Merging - Users either split or merge the Outlook offline file since they require some items in their mailbox to extract as PST.

Solution

However, the manual method to convert Outlook offline file to PST can be done by having MS Outlook in the local machine, which is connected to Exchange Server.

The steps are as follows:.

       1.Open Outlook on the local computer connected to Exchange server.

       2.Click on File menu and select “Import and Export” wizard.

       3.View the list and click “Select to a File” option and then click Next.

       4. Now select .pst and click Next.

       5.Select the items to be exported by clicking Parent Root and check Sub Folder Option.

       6.Browse & select the target folder by giving the destination for saving the mail items.

       7.Finish the wizard.

Using Restore for Exchange Profile

Deleted Exchange profile can be recovered by using restore if the profile is deleted recently. You have to just open the restore application and select the date for the restore.

Synchronize Using Email 

You can synchronize the mailbox of your Exchange Server with the webmail and can forward the emails and other items from the Exchange Server to your mailbox.

By Moving the Items to New PST File

Drag the folders you want to add in the new PST file, which you want to access in Outlook.

All the manual methods have limitations but can come handy for someone. However, a third party tool can easily convert Outlook offline file to PST.

Limitations

Manual tricks are free to use but they don’t solve the issue and have some limitations. They involve the implementation of cumbersome steps which are time consuming.

Conclusion

Outlook offline file can be accessed if the Exchange Server is connected and the cache mode is enabled.

I hope the above article help the users to understand the conversion of Outlook offline file to PST in outlook. Or you can use SysTools OST to PST Converter for exporting offline OST file.

For any query ore suggestion, do mention in the comment.