Want to open a shared OST file on another computer? Read this guide to know the solution as it's not possible directly. Because OST files are encrypted with the original user profile. However, you can access the data by using Outlook import/export feature or automated approach.
Have you received an OST file from their client, colleagues or any other user and want to open a shared OST file on another computer? If your answer is yes then this blog is a treat for you. In this tutorial, we will explain all possible techniques to open a shared OST file on another computer by manually and using OST to PST Conversion.
Microsoft Outlook is one of the most widely used desktop
email clients for both professional and personal purposes. It contains all its
data in OST and PST file. OST stands for offline storage table and it stores
all emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, journals and all other mailbox data. It
allows you to open and edit Outlook data offline and will sync on the server
when connection is stored. Now, let’s know the reasons to access a shared OST
file on another computer.
Reasons
to Open Shared OST File on Another Computer
1.
If a user system fails but the OST file
is intact, accessing it from another computer helps to recover important emails
and attachments without needing the original Outlook profile.
2.
When an Exchange or Microsoft 365 account
is deleted, the OST file becomes orphaned. Opening it on another computer
allows access to the mailbox data.
3.
In collaborative settings, team members
may need to access another user mailbox data.
4.
Users switching to a new system often
wish to carry their previous Outlook data.
5.
IT admins and forensic teams may need to
examine OST files for compliance or legal audits. Open shared OST file on
another computer facilitates analysis and archiving.
Why
You Can’t Open an OST File Directly on Another Computer?
An OST file is encrypted and tightly linked to a specific
Outlook profile and user account that created it. Because of this, Outlook
won’t recognize or open an OST file directly on a different computer or
profile. This file is meant for local offline and cannot be transferred like a
PST file. To access the data you must export the OST file in PST format and
open it in Outlook on another computer. Now, we are aware of the reasons, and
why it's not possible directly. So, this time to move to the solutions and see
all proven solutions.
How
to Open a Shared OST File on Another Computer Manually?
If you have access to the original Outlook profile then
you can use Outlook import/export feature to export Outlook data and can be
accessed on any Outlook profile:
1.
First, open Microsoft Outlook and
navigate to the file.
2.
Click on open and export and next hit on
Import/Export.
3.
Choose Export to a file and click on Next
button.
4.
Browse Outlook data file in the list and
again click Next to proceed.
5.
Select Outlook mailbox folders as you
want to export.
6. Choose the destination path and press the finish button.
How
to Access Shared OST File on Another Profile Using Offline Mode?
Opening an OST file directly on another profile is not
officially supported by Outlook, but advanced users may attempt this method for
limited access.
1.
Locate OST path: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
2.
Copy OST file to external USB drive.
3.
Paste into the same folder path on
another computer.
4.
Disconnect connectivity to force Outlook
into offline mode.
5.
Rename the copied OST file to match the
original profile name.
6.
Launch Outlook while offline it's
compatible some data may appear but functionality will be limited.
Boundaries
of Manual Method
1.
Users must be familiar with advanced
features of Outlook to handle this approach.
2.
You cannot restore and convert inaccessible OST files.
3.
Outlook installation and active profile
is mandatory to handle this approach.
How
to Access Shared OST File on Another Computer via Automated Approach?
If OST becomes orphan then manual approach will not work.
In this situation, we suggest you choose BitRecover
OST to PST Converter as this software can
convert batch OST files and also offers fully maintained results and no risk of
losing any information.
●
Download and open automated software on
your system.
●
Click on Convert configured mailbox data
and press Next button.
●
Preview OST mailbox folder to select as
you want to access.
●
Browse PST file in the list of Saving
features.
●
Choose the destination path and select
advanced filter as needed.
Advantages
of Automated Approach
1.
This software can also convert OST to
PDF, PST, EML, MBOX and many more with maintained results.
2.
You can easily restore and convert
damaged, corrupted, inaccessible and oversize OST files without facing any
limitations.
3.
With this wizard, you can also use filter
options such as date range, subject, sender, recipients, exclude folders, skip
empty folders and many more.
4.
With this wizard, you can also import OST
to Microsoft 365, Thunderbird, Gmail, Yahoo and all IMAP Supported email
platforms.
5.
This software can auto-detect OST file
from default location and also offers to select OST file from any specific
location.
6.
It also supports auto detect mode to
configure OST file from default location and also offers dual mode to select
files or whole folder of OST files to convert.
7.
This software also offers a preview
mailbox folder to select data as you need to convert and also helps you to
avoid unnecessary data.
8.
This software offers a completely simple
to navigate interface to make it reliable for all professional and individual
users.
Ending Remarks
In this guide, we have shared all effective methods to
access a shared OST file on another computer by manually and using an automated
approach. If you have a healthy OST file then you proceed manually. Otherwise,
we recommend you to choose an automated approach as it offers fully maintained
results and no risk of losing any information.
Common Questions
Can you Open Someone Else's OST File?
No, Outlook doesn’t support opening
someone else's OST file directly because the OST file is encrypted in the
Outlook profile. To access the data, convert the OST file to PST then you can
import it in Outlook.
How do I Transfer my
Outlook Email Files to Another Computer?
Export your emails in PST
file by click on file and press on open and export and next click on
Import/Export then export to a file and
choose PST file now transfer PST file to another computer and open it by open
Outlook and click on file and select Outlook data file and choose PST file as
you want to transfer.
How do I Open a PST File on
Another Computer?
Copy PST file and transfer
it on another device and open Outlook and navigate to file and click on Outlook
data file and choose PST file as you want to open on another computer.