In this blog, we are going to discuss the basic difference between OST and PST File. As it is the most often asked query among the users we have decided to explain it in this article. Read this blog carefully and clear your confusion and doubts about these two File Formats.
Microsoft is an American business that sells computer hardware and software. It has advanced to become the most significant provider of computer software worldwide because of its ground-breaking products, including MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows.
Microsoft Office is one of its most popular products. The majority, if not all, computer users today utilize this software, which includes various office applications including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Microsoft Outlook, a personal information manager created for use with Microsoft Windows is a component of the Microsoft Office suite. Although it was designed primarily as an email program, it also has a calendar, task and contact management, diary and note-taking capabilities, and web surfing. It can be used alone by anyone, in conjunction with a number of other applications like the Microsoft Exchange Server or SharePoint Server, or used by many people in a company that needs to share files and documents.
Overview of OST and PST File:
Microsoft Outlook offers the OST and PST file folders as two different ways to save files. A storage space that can be used offline is the OST file folder. It is utilized in an exchange setting, specifically when the Microsoft Exchange Server is used.
It gives users the option to operate when offline and is highly practical in locations with spotty or constrained connections. When a user logs on to the internet, files that are stored and changed in OST are updated and synced.
Users can view, reply, compose, modify, and delete emails even when they are offline when Microsoft Outlook is set up to connect with an Exchange environment. Microsoft Outlook copies emails into the OST file when it is in cached mode.
On the other hand, the PST file folder is a personal folder and should not be used in an exchange arrangement. It is kept on servers aside from the Microsoft Exchange Server on the client’s hard drive. The PST file folder is used by HTTP and IMAP. The PST file folder can be used to distribute and store emails and any files they include. PST file folders are used to store other types of data, including locally saved calendars, contacts, and tasks.
Pro Tip:
A professional tool called Advik OST Converter may freely convert 25 items from each OST folder to PST. It has the benefit of converting offline OST files to PST without the need for an Exchange profile or connectivity to the Exchange Server. The user can choose one or more OST files, recover items—including deleted ones, and convert them to PST format—using its incredibly user-friendly interface. It can also convert several OST files to PST simultaneously. If you are in need to convert OST to PST then, this tool can be very beneficial for you.
Major Difference between OST and PST File
1. The PST file folder is a personal data storage area that may be used for locally saved files, whereas the OST file folder is an offline data storage area that can be utilized when there is no Internet connection.
2. Unlike the OST file folder, which only functions with the Microsoft Exchange Server, the PST file folder can be used with an Exchange configuration but is not advised because it is only compatible with other servers.
3. Unlike the PST file folder, the OST file folder enables users to operate when offline by enabling them to view, edit, compose, and delete messages as well as synchronize changes made once they connect to the internet.
4. Microsoft Outlook includes both. The PST file folder cannot be used in locations with spotty or limited Internet access, while the OST file folder can.
5. Sometimes when a user needs to open the OST file in Outlook 2016, 2019, 2013 or other versions, they cannot do it because only PST files can be imported into Outlook.
Reasons to Convert OST to PST File
Following are some scenarios in which changing an OST to PST files is particularly beneficial:
- Unsaved user mailbox data can be found in OST files. Thus, they are helpful in circumstances such as:
- On the Exchange server, a few user mailboxes are erased.
- A few Exchange mailboxes need to be backed up (before the deletion of mailboxes)
- An Exchange user has some unsaved data in his corrupt OST file and wants to reconstruct it.
- Users urgently want access to their emails despite the corrupted Exchange accounts being unreachable.
- During outage or unavailability of Exchange, resume email communication.
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