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How to Archive or Take Backup OST File Securely in Simple Steps?

  author
Published By Ashwani Tiwari
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On November 6th, 2020
Reading Time 4 Minutes Reading

Do you want to make a backup OST files in Outlook? But don’t have an idea about how to do OST backup or archive securely. Read the blog thoroughly, in this guide you will learn different methods to do this task.

When you configure Microsoft Outlook with Exchange Server, you will get the OST file. An offline storage file (OST) contains a cache data of your Exchange mailbox data including emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, etc. With the help of this files, you access your Exchange mailbox data even if you are not connected to the internet.

Well, there are various situations in which users want to archive OST files from their Outlook account to save their crucial information.

Why does User Need to Backup OST File Outlook?

Some of the primary reasons are listed here:

1: Back up is necessary to prevent important data from any accidental loss.

2: When the Outlook is synchronized with the Exchange Server, it becomes difficult to work on the file. So, it is required to backup OST file in Outlook application.

3: Due to virus attacks, abrupt shutdown, and other software related issues, the OST file gets corrupted or damaged.

Hence, to prevent the loss of data from OST file corruption, the better way is to take backup of OST files.

Recommendation – In case, your OST file gets corrupted, then the best option is to use OST File Repair tool. It is the safest and reliable solution to repair corrupt Outlook files without any data loss.

How to Archive Offline OST File Securely?

These are the below techniques that can be used to take a backup OST files in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and other versions.

Method 1: Using Outlook Export Option

Follow the given steps to archive Outlook OST file:

  1. Launch Outlook application.
  2. Go to File menu. Select Open & Export >> Import / Export.
  3. Choose an Export to a file >> Personal File Folder (.pst). Hit on Next.
  4. Choose the folder that is to be archived and select the “Include Sub-Folders” checkbox
  5. Browse the location where the archive OST file is to be saved.
  6. Click on Finish button.

Method 2: Use Outlook Archive Option

The Archive feature option is used to take backup of OST files. Follow the instructions to know how to make OST backup file of Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003 (for IMAP account) or backup Exchange OST File (if Outlook configured with Exchange account):

  1. Open Outlook on the local system.
  2. Navigate to File menu >> Info >> Cleanup Tools >> Archive.
  3. Now select a Desired file or folder that is to be archived.
  4. Browse the destination location where the archived file is to be saved.
  5. Hit the OK button, to start the archive process.

Note: This method will take the back of complete OST file except contacts.

Method 3: Export the Data into New PST File

Another way to take backup of OST file is to export all the mailbox items to a new Outlook PST file. Follow the instructions carefully to learn how to take OST file backup :

  1. Open Outlook application in the local system.
  2. Now, create a new Outlook PST file in the Outlook account.
  3. Drag the complete mailbox data to the Outlook PST file.

Now, you have learned how to take backup of OST files. Above, we have mentioned all the possible solutions to backup OST file securely from Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003 versions.

The best way to backup OST file is by converting it into PST format. So, we recommend a professional tool that can easily convert OST to PST format just in a few minutes. The tool will extract emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, etc items from the OST file & save into PST file.

Final Verdict

If you are wondering how to do OST backup securely, then this blog is perfect for you. In this write-up we have explained all the possible solutions to make archive of OST files in Outlook.