Outlook OST vs PST Files: How Both are Different From Each Other

Summary: Many Microsoft Outlook email client users are still confused and don’t know the exact difference between PST and OST files. Now, this article will solve all your doubts by providing detailed information about Outlook OST vs PST and also this passage will help users understand the difference between both files that are getting by Outlook email client. If you have healthy, corrupt OST files, consider BLR for OST email data to PST extractor to access them efficiently with complete email file safety.

Outlook is a famous organizer of e-mails because of having various features, cooperation, and the e-mailing application. Are you among the millions of users of Outlook applications for email messaging or communication? You might have come across OST as well as PST files. These data storage files contain the mailbox files including email messages, attachments, calendars, contacts, and notes. These two files are saved in the system and are useful in the restoration process of mailbox items in the case or any corruption.

However, understanding the detailed structure of Outlook email data files is an essential factor needed by the user to effectively perform Outlook data file management on the items contained in the data files. Well then, let’s consider each Outlook file format separately further. After that, we’ll study OST vs PST to know which to use for better understanding of Outlook files and where to get backup of Outlook data.

What is an Outlook First OST file?

Outlook email client takeout OST file (Offline Storage Table) that is an email data file. These kinds of files allow users to access their emails, calendar events, contacts, and other attachments even when the Outook is not connected to the server. OST files synchronize changes with the server when reconnected and saved in a system with .OST extension. Users easily change OST file into PST format with the help of automated software. 

Users want their OST email data into PDF format, just go with full guide change OST File into PDF

PST Format: Other Kind of Outlook File?

PST, or Personal Storage Table, is an Outlook another kind of file format used to download email data locally to a computer with items such as emails, contacts, calendar entries and others. It is a personal storage area where a person can store, sort and back up their email data away from the mail server. PST files can be generated, appended, and deleted; it means that data transfer and synchronization between several installations of Outlook are possible with its help. It makes getting to the email files and working with it all the more convenient on more than one device and even with no internet connection.

Now that both file formats are defined, let’s learn about the difference between PST and OST in Outlook and how both are different from each other. Without wasting time, let’s discuss OST vs PST.

OST vs PST: Major Differences

If users are still confused between these two types of email data files, hope below mentioned table makes you doubt-free between OST vs PST are both Outlook-generated files:

OST Email Data File	PST Files
OST files enable users to work offline when there is no internet connection with the exchange server. It fetches itself with the Exchange Server mailboxes after the internet connection restoration. This file contains backups of the files that are hosted on the email server.	PST doesn’t support offline operation due to the reason that PST is utilized for POP3, IMAP and web-mailing upgrades.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     POP3, IMAP, and webmail accounts. It cannot be synchronized with the Exchange server mailboxes in Outlook automatically. PST files are generated when users want to store email files locally.
OST files only support Microsoft Exchange Server email client.	PST files are compatible with Exchange and other email clients.
It means that only the file encrypted with the MAPIEntryID GUID key can be opened with OST files and only after passing the authentication from the linked MAPI profile. Thus, it cannot be opened or read in any other Outlook profile; it cannot be imported from another profile.	PST files are importable, and they can be accessed with any Outlook profile you want. But when it comes to password protection of PST files, then it employs the use of CRC32 algorithm.
OST synchronizes automatically, and OST file shows on the server without download.	Unfortunately, PST synchronization demands the download of emails and local files.
OST files are less susceptible to damage and get damaged, but it sometimes happens for several reasons like malware attacks or virus, system crashes or shutdown, errors in synchronization of OST files, profile corruption, etc. It would switch into not accessible OST file mode and become orphaned.	Microsoft Outlook PST files have a tendency to get damaged due to forced termination of Outlook program, system shut down, power off, blue screen of death, or any other critical problem. Yet, it certainly can become unstable or even unreachable when it is swollen to multi-gigabyte size it contains. Do not forget that password-protected PST files can be opened through different shareware listed on the Internet.

Process to Access Inaccessible or Corrupt OST Files

Outlook data files become corrupted or damaged because of different events that occur during operation. You need to convert OST files that experienced damage or hardware failure into PST before accessing their mailbox contents. Considering inaccessible or corrupted OST files, one should use BLR for OST to PST converter software, as it proves effective for fast OST to PST conversion needs while successfully saving OST email data to Gmail, Outlook.com, and other IMAP servers.

This OST email data extractor enables data protection by saving email data from both theft and corruption. During conversion, PST files transform into various file outputs that include DBX and MBOX, MSG and EML, TXT and RTF, HTML, and MHTML. This software converts damaged OST files to multiple preferred formats in their original sequencing and supports direct migration of OST email data to multiple servers and web email platforms. Complete data integrity allows you to recover deleted emails using the tool.

In Final Verdict

Microsoft Outlook preserves information by using both OST file format and PST while each holds unique functions in the system. OST file encryption exceeds PST files because they require third-party access methods. When your OST files experience problems, you should use the recommended software for both reliable and effective solutions. Hope this blog solves your confusion regarding OST vs PST.

FAQ – OST vs PST

Should I Acess PST or OST?

Selecting either data file demands that you define your preferences. Using PST files remains your only option to create backups of your system’s Outlook items. Users who need access to offline Exchange information must select OST files since they support offline work with Exchange accounts.

Define OST and PST 

OST along with PST outlines two Microsoft Outlook data storage formats for maintaining emails contacts and calendar events. OST functions as an Offline Storage Table for automatic backup while PST functions as Personal Storage Table, which allows multiple devices access to your data. 

Can users switch OST files into PST format?

BLR OST to PST migrator, provided among other specialized tools, helps users convert their OST files to PST data format. The tool provides specific value for people seeking email restoration after deleting their Exchange account or when their Exchange account becomes inaccessible.

How do I handle a corrupt OST file?

Any corrupted OST file prevents you from accessing offline data until it gets fixed. OST email data file recovery, scan OST, are incorporated into Outlook features as built-in tools for fixing minor OST file problems.

Are you able to access an OST file with another PC?

Each OST file functions exclusively with the profile settings of a particular computer system. When you want to access an OST file on different hardware, you need to establish a new Outlook profile which requires connecting back to the initial Exchange server.

Is PST email data size a concern?

Your PST file reaches an interoperable size that causes the application’s instability when it exceeds specified storage capacity. You should keep your PST files below 10 GB size or maintain smaller file portions as a better management practice for better performance.

What methods do I have to safely manage both PT and PST file systems?

Regular PST file backup, along with care toward preventing file size expansion, should be considered essential practices. Exchange server needs proper configuration to manage your data synchronization for OST files. To prevent data loss caused by corruption, use trustworthy data recovery tools.

Data recovery is possible from PST or OST files even if they become corrupted.

Streamlined recovery of both corrupted PST and OST files becomes possible with the assistance of BLR Data Recovery Software together with Outlook’s built-in repair tool. When dealing with essential data recovery issues, professional software achieves more dependable results.

Is OST format better than PST format for security purposes?
OST files achieve superior security levels from Exchange storage since they maintain synchronization with the server while receiving protection through its security measures. The local storage of PST files makes them susceptible to security breaches without specific encryption or backup safeguards. For converting OST file into thunderbird format read this carefully.