What is OST File & How It Works
OST File Details: OST file is Offline Storage Table file of Microsoft Outlook. The Microsoft Outlook allows accessing that offline file while the local computer is connected to Exchange Server. OST files are same as PST Files but Offline Files are present in place of PST whenever Microsoft Exchange Server is configured in network. Whenever we configure any client or workstation with Exchange which is in its domain we find the Offline File in its table path. All the emails sent or received by an organization get collected in Exchange Server and distributed to client machines. Employees have separate account in Exchange Server from which they can access all the mails.
How OST File Works?
When we set a workstation with Exchange Server, each account creates its mailbox at Exchange Server. For the mailbox at Server, Offline file is created at client computer which is copy of Exchange mailbox. With Exchange Offline storage files, you can read emails that you have already received even when you are not connected to the Internet. You can perform task in your account and later synchronized when you connect with Exchange Server.
Default Location of OST File:
The default location for the .OST file is in "User_Profile" If you have installed window xp in your 'C' drive and user account used is Administrator then the path will be "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook" ,Click here to contact our support team\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. Default location can be changed.
Advantages of using OST Files:
- The main advantage of OST file is that in case of mailbox deletion or mailbox data corruption from server, OST file can be used as a backup of your emails.
- OST file supports larger file size than PST file.
- You can read emails that you have already received even when you are not connected to the Internet.
- You can perform task and later synchronize with Exchange Server.
- OST files allow a user to work in Server downtime situations too.
How to Export Outlook Contacts:
Yes you can. You can export outlook contacts to simply MS Excel, PST, CSV, MS Access etc format. Here is the step by step procedure how to export outlook contacts and How to export outlook mails: Go To:
- File>>
- Import and Export Wizard (Choose Export >You can export as well as import data from outlook. Choose the desired operation. to a file). >>next
- Choose the file type (e.g. Microsoft Excel). >>next
- Choose the Contacts You may choose another mail folders, task, notes, calendar etc.. >>next
- Select the destination folder and name the file. >>next
- Finish.
Difference between OST File and PST File:
OST file is a copy folders on the Exchange Server and .PST files is simply a storage location on your hard disk. While using Exchange Server you can read the mails when you are connected with your Exchange Server, without connectivity you can not read OST mails but you can read PST mails without connectivity. Sometime when your Server is corrupt or damaged, you need to convert OST file to PST, so that you can read your mails with OST Exporter software.
