How to Attach Outlook OST Data File to New Profile?

Updated On - October 7, 2024 by Nasir Khan | Reading Time: 5 minutes

Outlook OST (Offline Storage Table) files are used by Microsoft Outlook to store copies of your emails, calendar events, and other data from your Exchange server when working offline. Occasionally, you may need to attach Outlook OST data file to a new profile, especially if you’re setting up a new profile or reinstalling Outlook. However, there is no direct method to add an OST file to a new profile. Therefore, we will explore the detailed steps to convert your OST files to PST format and then upload the PST file to the new profile. It is worth noting that users can easily convert OST to PST using the Regain OST to PST Converter. This guide will walk you through the process step by step, ensuring you can access your data without losing any important information.

A Brief about Outlook OST Files

An OST file allows Outlook to work offline by storing a synchronized copy of your mailbox data from the Exchange server. When you reconnect to the server, Outlook syncs any changes made while offline. However, OST files are tied to a specific Outlook profile and Exchange account, so they cannot be directly imported into a new profile or account without first converting or modifying them.

Steps Before You Attach Outlook OST Data File to New Profile

Before you can attach an OST file to a new Outlook profile, there are a few preliminary steps to ensure a smooth transition.

Step 1: Backup Your OST File

• Locate the OST File: By default, OST files are located in `C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\`. You can access this location by navigating to the folder or by using the search function in Windows.
• Copy the OST File: Copy the OST file to a safe location, such as an external drive or a different folder on your computer, to avoid data loss during the process.

Step 2: Create a New Outlook Profile

After you successfully locate and create a backup of your OST file it is now time to create a new Outlook profile. This can be done by following the steps mentioned below

1. Open Control Panel: Go to the Control Panel on your computer.
2. Select Mail: Find and select the “Mail” option (it might be labeled “Mail (Microsoft Outlook)” depending on your version).
3. Manage Profiles: Click on “Show Profiles” and then select “Add” to create a new profile.
4. Configure the New Profile: Follow the prompts to configure the new profile with your email account details. Make sure to set it as the default profile if you wish.

Steps to Attach Outlook OST Data File to New Profile

After extensive research, we found that there are no reliable methods to directly attach an OST file to a new profile. Therefore, we have divided this process into two steps. First, you need to convert your OST file to PST format, which can be done either manually or with an automated tool. Once the conversion is complete, you can use Outlook’s built-in feature to add the PST file to your new profile.

Step 1: Manually Change Outlook OST to PST

There are two ways to save OST files as PST. The former is a manual way and the latter is the automated way. Let’s explore both these methods in depth.

• Use Outlook’s Export Feature: If you can access the original profile with the OST file, you can open Outlook and export the data to a PST file.
• Open Outlook: Launch the Outlook application with the original profile.
• Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export: Select “Export to a file” and click “Next.”
• Choose PST Format: Select “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and click “Next.”
• Select Data to Export: Choose the folders you want to export (e.g., Inbox, Sent Items) and click “Next.”
• Save PST File: Choose a location to save the PST file and click “Finish.” You may set a password for the PST file if desired.

Step 2: Professional Way to Convert OST to PST

The manual method is efficient but technical, and there are many cases of data loss or corruption. Therefore, when handling your OST files, it’s essential to choose the best tools available, such as the Regain OST to PST Converter. This tool can convert multiple large OST files into PST format and offers additional features and filters that can be very useful.

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The steps to convert OST to PST are as follows:

1. Launch the Regain OST Converter tool on your system with administrative privileges.
2. Click on the Open button to add the OST files to the software.
3. Preview and scan the OST File Items from the tree structure.
4. Select the saving format as PST.
5. Finally, choose the Destination Path and then click on the Convert Now button.

Step 3: How to Import PST File to the New Profile

After following the above steps, you will successfully create a PST file from your OST. You can then use Outlook’s built-in feature to import the PST file to the new profile. The steps to add the OST file to a new profile are as follows:

1. Open Outlook: Launch Outlook with the new profile.
2. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export: Select “Import from another program or file” and click “Next.”
3. Choose PST Format: Select “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and click “Next.”
4. Locate PST File: Browse to the location of the PST file you created earlier and select it.
5. Choose Import Options: Choose how you want to handle duplicate items and click “Next.”
6. Select Import Folder: Choose the folder you want to import into (e.g., Inbox) and click “Finish.”

Outlook will start importing the PST file, and once completed, you will have access to your old emails and data in the new profile.

Conclusion

You cannot directly attach Outlook OST Data File to New profile. Therefore, you have to first convert the OST files to PST. This can be done using manual methods or by using the Regain OST to PST converter. Moreover, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully access your data in a new Outlook profile. Whether using Outlook’s built-in features or third-party tools, ensuring a smooth transition involves careful preparation and attention to detail. Regular backups and maintaining manageable file sizes will help you avoid issues in the future and keep your Outlook data organized and secure.

FAQ

Q1: How to add the Outlook OST Data file to new profile?

A1: In this article, we have highlighted detailed steps to teach you how to attach OST file to New Profile. Let us explore the process in brief.

1. Locate the OST files on your system.
2. Create a backup of your OST file.
3. Now, convert your OST File to PST either manually or by using the OST to PST Converter.
4. Lastly, use Outlook’s built-in function to attach the PST file to the new profile.