How to Convert OST to PST Manually?

MS Exchange server application comprises an added facility of creating an offline local file comprising of complete account data like emails, contacts, journals, notes, etc. This local file is created when the Outlook cached mode is enabled while configuring the Exchange application. User is allowed to use this local OST file without any dependence in network connectivity. When user establishes the connection of Outlook application with Exchange account, this OST file gets synchronized and the email data is synched accordingly. Although this OST file has some restrictions for its usage and because of these restrictions users can demand to convert OST to PST manually.

What Demands OST to PST Conversion?

There are many scenarios which demand such conversion. For instance; the file size difference between Exchange mailbox and the local replica OST file call for archiving or storing the OST email data to another file format. This will keep a check on the size limit of OST file which is very limited as compared to Exchange database. There are many other reasons like OST file cannot be accessed in any other system by mere copying it or importing it in another system’s Outlook application. The file is bound to original MAPI Exchange profile and hence it cannot be accessed in any other system.

All such situations demand to assemble email data to another file format which can also be accessed like OST and emails can be viewed with similar interface and usage. OST being an Outlook application storage file, one can convert OST to PST manually so that the email data can be accessed in Outlook application easily. The basic factor responsible for performing manual conversion of OST file to PST file is that the OST file should not be orphan or corrupted. An active and stable file can be easily converted to PST file by following the below mentioned steps. The steps have been performed on MS Outlook 2010 application.

Steps for Manual OST to PST Conversion

Step 1: Open MS Outlook with Exchange profile.

Step 2: Go to File menu and click on Open option. Here select Import in order to export the emails to PST file.

Step 3: Another Import & Export wizard window will open where you can choose the action to be performed. Choose “Export to a file” option in order to export data from OST file and click Next.

Step 4: Here select the destination file to which you want to export the email data. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) as an Export option and click Next.

Step 5: Select the folders from which the email data has to be exported. You can also add the filters for advanced and organized email export. Once folders are selected, click Next. 

Step 6: Here by default the exported file is saved to “C:\Users\Username\Documents\Outlook Files” folder location with name as backup.pst file. You can click on Browse and change the location. There are various sub-options which can be selected related to duplicate email items. Once done, click Finish.

Conclusion

The exported PST file will be saved to the provided path location which will carry the existing email data. In this way the space allocated for OST file can be free and new email data can be stored in this file now. 

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Find Out How You Can Prevent Lync from Locking Outlook’s .ost File

Unified communication platforms have proffered businesses with a wider set and options to make their communication better. Lync along with Outlook does just that by providing a wider range of options communication on the confined environment of Microsoft Outlook. This includes communication via, text, video, voice, and streaming of media. However, a stable synchronization between both the services is an ultimate requirement which is fulfilled with correct configuration and settings applied. Similarly, in this blog we will cover the tips on how to prevent Lync from locking Outlook’s .ost file along with the reason provided on why it does so in the first place.

Prevent Lync from Locking Outlook’s .ost File without Service Termination

Most users who have confronted the issue and got stuck with it chose to terminate either of the two services to get rid of the issue. But what about those who run businesses dependent on Lync services and can’t just quit it?

We will outline the troubleshooting tips that will not only prevent Lync from locking the Offline Storage Table file but also let you continue using the unified communication service.

Why?

When using Lync services with Microsoft Office (Outlook), one can save conversation directly to their Outlook Data File. However, in order to do the same Lync has set its own rules, i.e. it will need accessing the account’s OST file.

This is how connection of Lync and Outlook involves the usage and possibility of locking OST file. The process usually works in an absolutely proper manner and remains unnoticed to the end user, but only under normal circumstances.

What?

What happens in this case is exactly what happens in any case when some issue takes place, error. You will receive an error every time you try accessing something on your Outlook or within the OST data file. Some of the errors that are common to appear are illustrated as follows:

The worst that can happen is Outlook will crash.

How?

Finding out how to prevent Lync from locking Outlook’s .ost file is not a difficult part. Given below is the solution to fix the issue and tips to prevent it from reoccurring in future.

First of all, the issue arises because Outlook is probably running in a Windows compatibility mode. Compatibility mode option may have been provided with Outlook but you are not required to use it, especially when you are using any of the latest Windows versions (as we assume you are).

TIP: This mode is only applicable on applications that are extremely old. So, if the option is enabled, disable it and if it isn’t enabled do not even consider enabling it.

If errors are being received that ‘the file cannot be accessed as it is in use on some other program’ (Lync) then you need to check the compatibility settings of the program.

1. To disable the mode or just check its status find the Outlook setup file. Right click on the ‘exe’ and click on Properties.
2. Click on the tab for Compatibility. Now uncheck if the checkbox for Compatibility mode is checked.
3. Also uncheck the checkbox for running program as Administrator as it should not be used unless very necessary.

In Case The Issue Is Unresolved…

If the issue still remains unresolved then you are advised to follow the steps given below that will repair your Office 365 installation.

1. Close all the applications of MS Office, i.e. Outlook and Lync too.
2. Start Task Manager and check whether all Office processes are closed.
3. Go to the Control Panel and select Programs and Features. Click on Microsoft Office 365.
4. Click on Change and select the Quick Repair option followed by Repair.
5. When asked to close programs click on Close All.
6. After repair run Outlook and then open Lync to check if the issue has been rectified.

Conclusion: This is how you get rid of the errors and issues cropping up in a unified communication platform of Lync and Outlook. Always make sure that when using both the services, run Outlook first and then Lync. This will prevent Lync from locking Outlook’s .ost file. You will no longer see any errors because, before Lync could access OST, Outlook already has access to it.

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Discover Causes And Solution For Microsoft Outlook Error Code 17997

Microsoft Outlook is the most popular email client in today’s world due to its advance features and simplicity. However, there are various issues which can hamper the working of Outlook. In order to make users aware about the issues with Outlook, error messages are displayed with some error code.

One of the common error in Outlook is Microsoft Outlook error code 17997. If you too encounter the same error then this blog will definitely help you out to resolve the issue. There are two scenarios in which you can encounter this error, detail explanation of the issue is provided below.

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Abstract on Advantages of Lotus Notes Over Outlook!

Emailing is undisputedly a sole mode of business communication. Hence this arena is widespread and today it is being captured by several email services. Lotus Notes and Outlook being the most dominant email platforms, there is always a debate over which mail service is better. Overall, both Lotus Notes and Microsoft Outlook perform well while providing basic facilities like email, address book management, calendaring, etc. But when we analyze both email services more closely, Lotus Notes stands upright with its bright features and exceptional service. Security, architecture, and customizability are prime and opulent facilities Notes nurtures. To be honest, there is lot more to explore! Let us take a glimpse on advantages of Lotus Notes over Outlook email platform. 

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Guide To Migrate From ANSI To Unicode PST File

For converting or upgrading ANSI PST to Unicode, there is no direct option offered by Microsoft. However, with a little efforts, it is possible to migrate from ANSI to Unicode and take advantage of the benefits offered by the later PST format. Let’s get started:

To be on a safer end, make sure that you maintain a backup of ANSI PST file before upgrading it. For this, you can copy the PST file to different system drive or storage device. The process of backing up a PST file is quite straightforward.

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Introduction - Kristen Ryder

Hello, I am Kristen Ryder and this is my blog ‘Convert My Email’. Convert My Email is a dedicated blog that shares ideas, tips, along with techniques that help convert emails or do their forensics expertly. Information shared on this blog is the result of intense methodical researches that I have conducted myself to ensure their efficiency, effectiveness and precautions/prerequisites, if any.I run this blog on behalf of the miserable email users who have long waited to switch from their current email client and also those who would like to rightfully affirm the authenticity of their online email contacts. But the disappointment of always being suggested a heavy price tagged, commercial method to do so have stopped them from proceeding any further.

This blog will introduce you to the contemporary and not the conventional methods of converting and forensically digging into emails.

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