Easy Way to Move Outlook OST file to a New Computer

If you’re moving to a new computer and need to transfer your Outlook data, one of the most important files you’ll deal with is the OST file (Offline Storage Table). This file holds everything from your emails to calendars and attachments, allowing you to access your data offline. However, moving an OST file can feel a bit tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the process.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to transfer your OST file to a new computer, whether you decide to use Outlook’s built-in export tool or a third-party tool like Mydigisoft OST to PST Converter. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to safely migrate your Outlook data, ensuring you don’t lose any valuable emails or contacts.

Why Move an OST File to a New Computer?

There are a number of reasons why you might want or need to move your OST file to a new computer:

• Accessing Outlook Data on a New Device: Whether you’re upgrading your machine or working from a new computer, you’ll want your emails and calendar entries to be available.
• Backing Up Your OST File: Keeping an extra copy of your Outlook data ensures that your information is safe and recoverable.
• Changing Work Environments: If you’re moving to a new job or transferring to a different department, you’ll need to move your Outlook data too.
• Upgrading Outlook: New versions of Outlook or updates to Windows can sometimes require a fresh setup, which includes moving your OST file.

Now that you know the “why,” let’s dive into how you can go about moving that important file.

How to Move Your OST File to a New Computer: A Simple Process

Moving your OST file doesn’t need to be complicated. We’ll cover two methods to make this transition as easy as possible. The first method uses Outlook’s built-in export feature, and the second uses a third-party tool like Mydigisoft OST to PST Converter.

Step 1: Locate Your OST File

Before you can move the file, you need to find it on your old computer. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Open the Control Panel on your old computer and select Mail.

2. Click on Data Files. This will open the Account Settings window.

3. Go to the Data Files tab and select the email account tied to your OST file.

4. You’ll see the location of your OST file listed there. Click on Open File Location to go directly to the folder where it’s stored.

Now that you’ve located the file, you’re ready to move it over to your new computer.

Export Your OST File Using Outlook’s Export Tool

Outlook makes it pretty simple to export your OST file as a PST file, which can be easily transferred to your new computer. Here’s how you do it:

1. Open Outlook and go to the File menu.

2. Select Open & Export and then click on Import/Export. In the Import and Export Wizard, choose Export to a file and click Next.

3. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.

4. Choose the folders you want to export. Make sure you check the box that says Include subfolders, and click Next.

5. Pick a location to save the PST file and click Finish to start the export.

After the process is complete, check the location where you saved the PST file and make sure everything looks good.

Mydigisoft OST to PST Converter Tool

The Mydigisoft OST to PST Converter Tool is an excellent solution for transferring Outlook to a new computer. This software efficiently converts both healthy and corrupted OST files into PST, EML, MSG, and other formats. It ensures a smooth conversion process, even for multiple or large OST files, while maintaining data security and accuracy. With its user-friendly interface, the conversion process becomes effortless for all users.

Key Features:

• Provides a filter option to select only the desired items for conversion to PST.
• Allows users to exclude unnecessary emails using the built-in filter feature.
• Recovers all corrupted data from OST files without any data loss.
• Preserves folder hierarchy and metadata properties during migration.
• Supports direct migration of OST file data to Microsoft 365.
• Includes a splitter option to define the size of the resulting PST file.

Steps to Convert OST to PST:

1. Install and launch the Mydigisoft OST to PST Converter Tool.
2. Add the healthy or corrupted OST file to the software.
3. Select the “OST to PST” option from the ribbon bar.
4. Choose the folders and subfolders you wish to convert, then click “Next.”
5. Decide whether to save the recovered OST file data into an existing or new PST file.
6. Set the size for the PST file to split it into smaller parts if needed, then proceed by clicking “Next.”
7. Apply date range and message class filters to include or exclude specific items.
8. Map folders, set thread item count, and translate emails if necessary, then click “Next.”
9. The OST to PST conversion will begin. Once completed, click “Finish.”

Ending Thoughts

Transferring Outlook to a new computer is a straightforward task when using a reliable solution. Various methods have been discussed above, along with step-by-step instructions. However, traditional approaches can be time-consuming, risk data integrity, and may fail when handling corrupted OST/PST files.

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free migration, use the Mydigisoft OST to PST Converter Tool, which enables seamless conversion of large Outlook data files to a Windows PC with a single click. A free trial version is available, allowing users to migrate the first 50 items per folder to PST at no cost.