Microsoft Outlook is a desktop email program that is used by professionals and businesses. Furthermore, beginning with Outlook 2013, there have been significant modifications to how IMAP email accounts are maintained. Indeed, prior versions of Outlook used to generate two IMAP files, OST and PST. In MS Outlook 2010, one file manages email, while another saves notes, calendars, contacts, and other mailbox data. However, from Outlook 2013, just one OST file will be created for each IMAP email account. PST files that simply preserve emails with attachments are not produced by default.
This change is expected to have an impact on how Outlook accounts are handled. Nonetheless, converting IMAP OST to PST files in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and recovering contacts, notes, and other vital data has become a big issue. In earlier versions of MS Outlook, users could simply save OST files to their Outlook email folders or have the emails shown in the application. Furthermore, OST files cannot be readily backed up or recovered for contact. It has become a significant difficulty for all users. To back up the folder, it must first be exported. So, let’s look at two of the finest ways to convert an IMAP OST file to an Outlook PST.
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Reasons For Convert IMAP OST to PST in Outlook with Contacts
The following causes need users to execute a conversion. Thus, you only have to follow the specified steps: In the event of an inadvertent deletion, the migration allows you to effortlessly restore critical data items from your mailbox on the Exchange server. If users wish to shift their location or transfer platforms, they must convert their OST files to Outlook PST. If the Exchange server crashes due to software faults, malware assaults, or any other issue. Users are unable to access their mailboxes during maintenance, thus OST files must be transferred and then imported into Outlook.
Manual Workarounds for Converting IMAP OST to PST
Consider the following methods for making conversions with ease. You can choose any strategy that best suits your needs. Method 1: Use Microsoft Outlook’s Archive Feature. Outlook users may copy and transfer mailbox items into PST file format by selecting the “Archive” option.
- Install the Outlook program on your local PC.
- Choose the File tab from the top bar.
- Click on the Archive option.
- The Archive dialog box will display on the screen.
- Locate the “Archive items older than” option on the same screen.
- Select a certain day from the calendar.
- Select a path to save a fresh Outlook PST file by clicking “Browse”.
- View the freshly produced PST file and its location.
- Click the “OK” button to continue the procedure.
Remember that by using this manual method, users may simply move the whole OST file, except Outlook Contacts.
Method 2: Converting IMAP OST Files to PST
In this procedure, you must create a new PST file in your Outlook profile and then drag the folders you wish to relocate. However, this way will show a personalized message that may be broadcast to the folder.
You cannot drag default folders such as Inbox, Calendars, Sent Items, Contacts, and so on into Outlook PST using this strategy. As a result, all you need to do is copy a folder from Exchange Offline OST to a PST format file.
Method 3: Transferring an IMAP OST File in Outlook 2016.
In Outlook 2013 and later versions, a separate OST file is produced instead of the.pst file when IMAP accounts are not used. To migrate an existing.ost file to an Outlook 2016 mailbox, the OST data file must be converted to PST format. The PST can be loaded into Microsoft Outlook 2016.
- Convert the old IMAP OST data to a new PST file and transfer it to another machine.
- To upload a new PST file, open MS Outlook 2016 and navigate to the File menu, then Open and Export, and finally Import/Export.
- In the Import and Export Wizard, pick Import from another software or file and click Next.
- Select the appropriate PST file and hit the next button.
- Browse and go to the folder containing the PST file, then click the Ok button.
- Click on the Finish button.
Automatic Method for Converting IMAP OST to PST in Outlook with Contacts
The procedures described above are arduous and time-consuming. Thus, customers may utilize a professional solution, such as TrustVare Convert IMAP OST to PST Tool, to efficiently modify IMAP Offline OST files. This utility allows users to transfer data from offline OST files like emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, and journals. It offers a user-friendly interface that even a beginner user can utilize without any knowledge before. This app is converts single and multiple Exchange IMAP OST files into Outlook PST file format without any data loss. It is work on all Windows OS versions 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, Vista, etc.
Easy Steps to Using This Tool
- Install and execute the OST to PST Converter on your PC.
- After successfully running the program, select the Browse option to upload the OST file.
- Preview OST mailbox data and choose folders/items to convert.
- Enter the right location to see the generated PST file.
- To import data into a PST file, click the ‘Convert’ button.

This program facilitates the following advanced features:
- The program can convert bulk OST files to PST format.
- Recover Corrupted OST Files.
- Use Date Filter to relocate OST files by a specific date.
- Supports all Windows versions.
- Compatible with all MS Outlook versions (2021, 2019, 2016, 2013).
Let us wrap up.
MS Outlook is the most popular email application, used by many people throughout the world. Users seek to convert IMAP OST to PST files for a variety of reasons. Thus, in this blog, we have examined various manual methods for data conversion. However, these manual procedures have certain limitations. As a result, an accurate tool is suggested for migrating offline Outlook data files without data loss. Users can use any of these to execute data migration more effectively. Everyone read this blog and solved the issue of convert IMAP OST files into PST file format. Both Method are helpful it.