How to Fix Inaccessible and Encrypted OST Files: The Ultimate Guide

Updated On - October 22, 2024 by Armaan | Reading Time: 7 minutes

OST files (Offline Storage Table) are an essential part of Microsoft Outlook, as they allow users to work offline and then synchronize their data with the Exchange Server when they connect to it. However, OST files can become inaccessible or encrypted, preventing users from accessing their data. This can be a frustrating and stressful experience, as important emails, contacts, and other data can be lost. Fortunately, there are solutions available to repair and convert inaccessible and encrypted OST files to PST, allowing users to regain access to their data.

What are OST files and why do they become inaccessible or encrypted?

OST files are offline copies of mailbox data that are stored on a user’s computer when they use Outlook in Cached Exchange Mode. The purpose of OST files is to enable users to work offline, accessing and modifying their mailbox data even when they are not connected to the Exchange Server. When the user reconnects to the Exchange Server, any changes they made to their mailbox data are automatically synchronized.

OST files can become inaccessible or encrypted due to various reasons, such as:

• Corruption of the OST file due to hardware or software issues, such as power failures, system crashes, or viruses.
• Issues with the Exchange Server, such as hardware failures or software errors.
• Accidental deletion of the user’s profile or mailbox data.
• Encryption of the OST file by the user or by a security policy implemented by the organization.

How to repair and convert inaccessible OST files to PST?

Repairing and converting inaccessible OST files to PST can be a complex process, requiring specialized software and technical knowledge. However, there are several methods that users can try to repair and convert their OST files to PST, depending on the cause of the problem and the severity of the damage.

Method 1: Use the built-in Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe)

The Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe) is a built-in tool in Outlook that can repair minor issues with the OST file. To use the Inbox Repair Tool, follow these steps:

• Close Outlook and open the Control Panel.
• Click on Programs and Features and select Microsoft Office from the list of installed programs.
• Click on Change and select Repair from the options.
• Follow the prompts to complete the repair process.

If the Inbox Repair Tool is unable to repair the OST file, users can try other methods.

Method 2: Use Exchange Server Mailbox Export Request

If the user has access to the Exchange Server, they can use the Mailbox Export Request feature to export the mailbox data from the OST file to a PST file. This method requires administrative privileges and access to the Exchange Management Shell. To use the Mailbox Export Request feature, follow these steps:

• Open the Exchange Management Shell and enter the following command:

New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox User -FilePath “\Server\Share\user.pst”

• Replace User with the user’s name and \Server\Share\user.pst with the path and filename where you want to save the exported PST file.
• Press Enter to start the export request.
• Wait for the export request to complete, which can take several hours, depending on the size of the mailbox data

Loopholes of the manual methods:

While manual methods can be effective in repairing and converting inaccessible or encrypted OST files, they also have some limitations. Here are some of the loopholes of the manual methods:

• Limited recovery capabilities: Manual methods may not be able to recover all mailbox data from a corrupted or encrypted OST file. For instance, the ScanPST tool can only repair the file’s structure but may not be able to recover all mailbox data.
• Time-consuming: Manual methods can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with large OST files or complex corruption issues. Users may have to spend several hours or days repairing the OST file using manual methods.
• Risk of data loss: Manual methods involve making changes to the OST file’s structure, which can lead to data loss if not done correctly. Users should take extra care when using manual methods to avoid losing any mailbox data.

An Alternative method to fix Encrypted OST Files

There are many third-party OST to PST conversion tools available online that can convert inaccessible OST files to PST. Regain OST Converter is a renowned name in the email recovery field and is designed to handle a variety of issues, such as corruption, encryption, and synchronization problems.

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To use a Regain OST to PST conversion tool, follow these steps:

• Firstly, download and install the OST to PST conversion tool on your computer.

• Launch the tool and select the corrupted OST file.

• Now the software will repair the OST file and display a live preview.

• Select the folders you want to recover and click on the Export option from the ribbon bar.

• Choose the destination location where you want to save the converted PST file.
• Click on the Convert button to start the conversion process.

It is a simple process to repair and convert inaccessible and encrypted OST files into PST format. Below I’ve mentioned a few features the software offers, so you can know why this tool is a perfect solution for the OST to PST conversion.

Features of Regain OST to PST conversion tool:

Regain OST to PST conversion tools offer several features that can help users recover data from inaccessible or encrypted OST files. Here are some of the features of this OST to PST conversion tools:

• Fast and efficient recovery: The tool can quickly and efficiently recover mailbox data from corrupted or encrypted OST files.
• Advanced scanning algorithms: The software uses advanced scanning algorithms to recover mailbox data and ensure data integrity.
• Preview recovered data: Regain OST to PST conversion tool offers a preview feature that allows users to preview the recovered mailbox data before saving it.
• Multiple output formats: Users can convert the OST file to multiple output formats, such as PST, EML, MSG, or HTML, depending on their needs.
• User-friendly interface: The software usually has a user-friendly interface that makes the conversion process easy even for non-technocrats.

So, these are the few features Regain OST to PST conversion tool offers. Now before closing the blog let me share a few tips pursuing which you can easily prevent OST file corruption and encryption.

Tips for preventing OST file corruption and encryption:

Preventing OST file corruption and encryption is essential for avoiding data loss and ensuring that users can access their mailbox data. Here are some tips for preventing OST file corruption and encryption:

• Regularly backup OST files: Users should regularly back up their OST files to avoid losing any mailbox data due to corruption or encryption.
• Avoid abruptly shutting down Outlook: Users should avoid abruptly shutting down Microsoft Outlook as it can corrupt the OST file.
• Keep the system free from malware: Malware or virus attacks can corrupt OST files. Users should install antivirus software and keep their systems free from malware.
• Use reliable software: Users should use reliable and trustworthy software to avoid any potential risks of corruption or encryption.

Conclusion

OST files are an essential part of Microsoft Outlook, but they can become inaccessible or encrypted due to various reasons. Users can use manual methods or third-party OST to PST conversion tools to Repair and convert inaccessible and encrypted OST files to PST. However, manual methods may have limitations, and users should take preventive measures to avoid OST file corruption and encryption. Third-party tools offer several features that can make the repair and conversion process faster and more efficient. Users should choose a reliable and trustworthy OST to PST conversion tool to ensure the safety of their mailbox data. Finally, it is crucial to follow best practices for maintaining the integrity of OST and PST files to prevent future issues.

Frequently asked questions:

Q1: Can I convert an OST file to a PST file without access to the Exchange Server?

A: Yes, users can convert an OST file to a PST file without access to the Exchange Server using Regain OST to PST conversion tool.

Q2: Is it possible to recover permanently deleted emails from an OST file?

A: No, permanently deleted emails cannot be recovered from an OST file. However, users can recover emails that have been deleted recently and are still present in the OST file.

Q3: Can I use the same OST file on different computers?
A: No, OST files are tied to a specific computer and cannot be used on different computers. Users can create a new OST file on the new computer and sync it with their Exchange Server account.

Q4: How long does it take to Repair and convert inaccessible and encrypted OST files to PST using third-party tools?
A: The time it takes to convert and repair OST file depends on the file size and the complexity of the corruption or encryption. However, using a reliable and efficient third-party tool can significantly reduce the time it takes to repair and convert the OST file.

Q5: Is it safe to use third-party OST to PST conversion tools?
A: Yes, it is safe to use third-party OST to PST conversion tools as long as users choose a trustworthy and reliable tool.

Q6: Can I recover attachments from an inaccessible or encrypted OST file?
A: Yes, users can recover attachments from an inaccessible or encrypted OST file using Regain OST to PST conversion tools.