There have been changes in Outlook since version 2013 on how IMAP accounts are handled. Earlier, Outlook was creating two IMAP OST, one for emails and the other for contacts and calendars. But now, instead of creating two OST files Outlook now creates only one OST file. This can create problems like inability to move IMAP OST file to another computer or profile. Also, not being able to backup the OST file and recover contacts & appointments from it. Apart from this, a user will not be able to set flags, reminders or use categories. Hence, the best solution is to convert IMAP OST to PST for accessing contacts and calendars. If a POP3 account is available, transfer contacts and calendars to PST file. In case the overall size of files being moved is large, then an OST to PST converter tool can be used. It is easy-to-use, efficient and reliable.
Main Features of OST to PST Converter
OST to PST Converter is a tool that helps a user in moving large IMAP OST files to PST in order to easily access their contacts, calendar, and appointments. Following are the underlying features of the OST to PST recovery software:
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Converting IMAP OST files to Outlook PST with emails, contacts, and calendars.
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Ability to view contents of the IMAP OST file before conversion.
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Date-based filters can be applied to export limited emails & save time.
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The folder hierarchy is maintained by the tool even after OST to PST migration.
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Tested over 20GB of IMAP OST file, no file size limitation imposed by the tool.
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Exchange Server is not required to perform OST to PST migration successfully.
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Advance scan mode can be used to recover highly corrupted IMAP OST file.
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Provides an option to split the resultant PST file into smaller parts by size.
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Data Extraction can be made without Outlook being installed on the system.
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A conversion report is generated maintaining all details of the export process.
A Quick Peek at Software Specification
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Developer
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SysTools Group
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Supported PST Type
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ANSI & Unicode
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Function
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Recover OST file & Export it to PST format
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Current Version
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2.0
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Size
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21.8 MB
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Supported Windows OS
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MS Windows 10 & below versions
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Supported Microsoft Outlook Version
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MS Outlook 2016 & all below versions
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Microsoft Outlook Installation Required
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No
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Supported File Format
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PST, EML, & MSG Format
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Working of IMAP OST to PST Conversion Tool
For migrating IMAP OST data files to PST, a user needs to download and install the OST conversion tool. After that, Follow the procedure mentioned below to export IMAP OST to PST:
Step 1: Launch the software and Add File to open the IMAP OST file.
Step 2: Browse the location to where the IMAP OST file is saved on the local system.
Step 3: Now, select the IMAP OST file and click on Open to add the file to the tool.
Step 4: Now, select the appropriate scan mode:
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Quick Scan: For minor corruption files.
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Advanced Scan: For highly corrupted IMAP OST file.
Having selected the scan mode, click on Add file to initiate IMAP OST file scan.
Step 5: After that, a pop-up message will be displayed as follows:
Step 6: Two types of preview can be accessed by the user on the interface of the tool.
Normal View: Email body with header and information will be displayed like in Outlook interface.
Attached View: Email body with attachments can be previewed here.
Step 7: A user can choose from Horizontal view or Vertical View
Step 8: Now, a user can choose from following two methods to export:
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Single Email: For single email conversion, right-click on the email and select Export.
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Email folder: For exporting an entire mailbox folder, select the folder and click on the Export option on the top panel.
Step 9: Now, a user can choose from three options available for conversion. One can select to migrate IMAP OST to PST, IMAP OST to EML or IMAP OST to MSG. After that, a user gets two more check boxes that say:
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Mail Filter: This option gives the user the choice to filter the mailbox conversion according to specific ‘to’ and ‘from’ dates.
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Split PST: A user can choose to export PST file to smaller sizes using this option.
Step 10: Having selected mail filter, a drop down box will appear asking for a naming convention. Choose the naming convention to move to the next step.
Step 11: Next, Browse the folder location on local system where the exported PST file will be saved.
Step 12: Now, Click OK after selecting the folder location
Step 13: Now, Click on Export to start the process of conversion of IMAP OST to PST
Step 14: A pop-up message box will appear to indicate completion of export process
Step 15: Save the CSV file with details of export conversion
Pros
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Date-based filter to export selective data items from OST file.
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Split PST option to break large PST file into small size and avoid corruption.
Cons
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The search option is not available to find a particular item within resultant PST file.
Observational Verdict
For accessing contacts, emails, and calendars separately from an IMAP OST file a conversion to PST is essential. OST to PST converter tool is the best solution for converting IMAP OST data files to PST. It is the easiest to use, most efficient and reliable software available in the market. One can also recover highly corrupt IMAP OST files using the advanced scan mode available in this conversion tool. Therefore, I would like to rate this product as 9.7 out of 10. As it is not supported by Mac OS and does not provide search option to search within PST file.