Outlook users sometimes want to transfer their Outlook OST file to a new computer for obvious reasons, such as migrating to a new computer, preserving the existing data, minimizing downtime, making a seamless transition from the old system to a newer system, or restoring Outlook profiles.
How to Transfer OST File to a New or Another Computer?
This article explains two ways to transfer an OST file to a new computer: convert the OST file to PST format and manually import it using the Import/Export option. The second option is directly migrating it to a new or other computer using an automated tool like Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate.
- Method 1: Manual way of moving OST file to a new computer (Converting and Importing)
- Method 2: Automated way of moving OST File to New Computer (Backup, Migrate, and Restoring)
Method 1: Move the OST File to the New Computer Manually
There are only a few reliable ways to copy the OST file to a new computer. Here is the most proposed manual method.
This manual process is broadly categorized into the following 2 steps to successfully move the OST file to the new computer: Conversion of the OST file into a PST file and importing the converted PST file into the new computer.
Step 1: Convert OST File to PST File Format:
You can convert OST file to PST file format using:
i) Manual method
ii) Remo Convert OST to PST
Manual Conversion Using the Import/Export Option in Outlook:
Utilize the below Import-Export Wizard (Outlook’s Import/ Export feature) to migrate the OST file to a new computer. However, this method requires technical expertise. Any mistake while implementing this method might lead to OST file corruption. However, you can avert any kind of damage to the .ost file by using the Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate software, which can safely transfer the OST file to another computer.
- First, convert the OST file to PST by exporting or backing up Microsoft Outlook PST.
- Copy the converted PST file to external hard drives like a USB or memory card.
- Connect your external drive to your new computer, transfer the .pst file to your new computer, and follow the steps below to import the PST file. This will successfully transfer your OST file data to a new computer as a PST file.
Note: Manually converting the OST file to PST format cannot transfer the complete Outlook data to the new computer. Hence, using a tool to convert OST files to PST is recommended.
Convert OST to PST using Remo Convert OST to PST Tool:
The safest and easiest way to convert OST files to PST format is by using Remo Convert OST to PST Tool. This application performs the process of converting all OST items to PST in the original format without any data loss.
In addition, it is designed with an easy-to-understand GUI that makes working with it very simple and comfortable. This user-friendly tool accurately converts individual items and default folder structures (Inbox, Calendars, Contacts, etc.) to a PST format with no technical expertise.
Follow these instructions:
Download Remo Convert OST to PST software > Click the Find OST File option to locate the OST file > Click Browse to select the location to save the converted file > Click the Convert option to start converting the OST file to PST file process.
After the converting process, you will have a PST file containing all your Outlook items saved in the OST file. Copy the converted PST file to an external drive and then transfer it to a new or another computer.
Step 2: Import the PST File Into A New Computer:
Importing the converted PST file into another computer allows you to successfully transfer OST to the new computer and access all Outlook attributes.
- Run the Outlook setup on the new computer.
(Note: You cannot set up an OST file if you have already created an Outlook profile. So, delete the profile and double-click the Microsoft Outlook icon to create the profile again.) - Set up a new email account.
- Choose File and select Import/Export.
- Now click Import from another program or file and click Next.
- Choose the Outlook Data File (.pst) option and click Next.
- Browse and import the converted file (copied from the other computer) and click Next.
- Choose Allow duplicates to be created option and hit Next to import all personal information from the copied PST file to the new Outlook.
This way, you can successfully move the OST file to the new computer. However, manually migrating Outlook PST files to a new computer is risky if you improperly implement the steps. Sudden interruptions like power failure, computer shutdown, or other errors while executing the importing method can lead to severe OST file corruption.
The best way to migrate an OST file to a new computer is to use the Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool, which eliminates the manual process of importing the PST file and moves the OST file to another computer without any corruption or damage.
Method 2: Transfer Outlook OST File to New Computer using Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool
You can easily migrate your Outlook OST file to a new computer using the Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool. This user-friendly tool first creates a backup of your OST file in the .obm extension, one of the safest formats for saving both the .ost and .pst files. It then easily migrates your Outlook OST file to another computer without causing any damage to the source OST file.
How to Transfer OST file to New Computer using Remo:
- Download and install the Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool on your old computer and click the Backup option.
- Select the Smart Backup option and click Yes to copy the OST file.
- Now, choose the location to save the copied OST file and click Finish.
(Note: A copy of the Outlook OST file will be created in .obm format. This copied file contains all your Outlook items saved in the original OST file, including emails, contacts, folder and file structure, autofill text, rules, etc.)
- Copy the .obm file (i.e., Copied OST file) into an external drive, such as a pen drive, and then transfer it to your new computer.
- Download and launch the Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool on your new or another computer, and select the Migrate option.
- Click the Browse option to select the recently saved .obm file and click Next to transfer the OST file to this new computer.
- After transferring, you can run Outlook on your new computer to verify the results.
Conclusion
This article has given you detailed instructions on how to move the OST file to a new computer using 2 different methods. Manually converting the Outlook OST file to a PST file for transferring the OST to a new computer is subjected to corruption. However, you can easily transfer the OST file without any corruption or damage by using a professional Outlook transfer tool such as Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate software.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Close your outlook
2. Locate PST or OST files: By default, PST files are stored in the local users’ “Documents/outlook files” folder, while OST files are stored in the AppData/Local/Microsoft/Outlook” folder. however, the exact location may vary based on the version of Outlook and the operating system you are using
3. Copy or Move the files: Once you have located the PST or OST file, you can copy or move it to the desired location. To move the file, right-click on the file and select the CUT or Move option. Then, navigate to the desired location and paste the file. To copy the file, right-click on the file and select the copy option. Then, go to the desired location and paste the file.
4. Update Outlook: After moving the PST or OST file, you need to update Outlook with the new file location. Open Outlook, select File and then navigate to Account settings.
5. Select the file and click OK to add it to Outlook.
6. Once you have updated the file location in Outlook, you can access your OST files.
For more information, refer to the article How to move OST to PST files.
The OST files are usually stored on a hard drive.
For Outlook 2010, outlook 2013, and Outlook 2016 on windows 7,8 or 10
Here is the path where the OST files are stored.
C:/users/username/AppData/Local/Microsoft /Outlook/filename.ost.
3: How do I Export and import an OST file?
Exporting OST files:
1. Open Microsoft Outlook and Click on File
2. Click on the Open and Export option and then click on Import/Export.
3. In the Import and Export Wizard, select the option to export a file and click on Next.
4. Choose the option to Export to an Outlook Data File file type and click on Next.
5. Select the folder that you want to export and choose the location where you want to save the exported file.
6. Choose any additional options you require, including subfolders, and then click on finish to complete the export process.
Importing OST files:
1. Open Microsoft Outlook and click on the file.
2. Click on the open and export option and then click on Import/Export.
3. In the Import and Export Wizard, select the option to Import from another program or file and click on Next.
4. Choose the option to Import Outlook Data from an Outlook Data File and click on Next
5. Go to the location where the OST file is saved and select it.
6. Choose the folder you want to import and then select any additional options you require.
7. Click on Finish to complete the import process.
