Methods to Convert OST File to MSG Format – Full Guide

Are you struggling with OST files in Outlook? You’re not alone! This blog will guide you through a secure way to convert OST to MSG files. MSG is a format that’s much easier to share and use. You should use the highly-rated software, OST to PST Converter, to make the conversion process more easy.

OST files are offline storage copies in Outlook, letting you work on your emails even without the internet. They store a copy of your mailbox data (emails, contacts, etc.) offline. MSG files, on the other hand, are individual messages. They’re simple to share and work with since you can open them in most email programs, unlike OST files. That’s why many people prefer the MSG format for their emails.

Difference Between OST and MSG Files

Before moving further, we will discuss OST vs MSG files. Further, we will describe several ways to convert OST to MSG.

Basis	OST	MSG
Purpose	OST files act as an offline copy of your mailbox data on your local machine. In addition, it allows you to work with emails and other items (contacts, calendars) even without an internet connection.	MSG stores a single email message, including its content, attachments, recipient information, and more.
Use Case	Microsoft Outlook uses OST files to provide offline access to mailbox data. You cannot directly open or share OST files.	It’s designed for archiving or sharing individual emails. MSG files can be opened by various email programs, not just Outlook, making them more versatile.
Location	It is in a special folder on your computer. Moreover, only Outlook can access it.	MSG files can be saved anywhere on your computer, like your Documents folder, or even shared via email or cloud storage.
Synchronization	It synchronizes with your online email server when you connect to the internet. In short, it makes sure both copies are in sync.	It doesn’t connect or update with any server.
Security	OST files don’t have built-in security since it’s not meant for direct use.	MSG files rely on your computer’s security settings. You can control who can access the folder where you store your MSG files.

How to Convert OST to MSG?

Here, we will discuss two solutions, manual and automated to accomplish the procedures. Users just need to read the entire blog to get their answers in detail.

#1. Export OST File to MSG Format Manually

• First, open the MS Outlook application on your system.
• After that, click on the selected email(s).
• Now, Go to “File” > “Save As“.
• Subsequently, pick “MSG” from the “Save as type” menu.
• Then, name your MSG file.
• At last, click the “Save” button.

Here, we accomplished a manual approach to convert OST to MSG. Moreover, this manual method has some downsides we’ll explore next.

Drawbacks of Performing the Manual Approach:

• Converting Outlook emails manually can be risky! One wrong move could mean losing your emails forever.
• The manual method is also prone to errors. A mistake and your emails might get corrupted.
• You need Outlook installed on your computer to do this.
• Moreover, you can only convert single emails, not entire folders.

To overcome all the challenges, follow the next approach. 

#2. Convert Multiple OST Files to MSG files in Just a Few Clicks

OST to PST Converter is an all-in-one solution that lets you convert your OST files, including emails, contacts, calendars, and notes, all into MSG format that even includes attachments. Moreover, users can effortlessly view their chosen files or folders in a preview panel. In addition, this software maintains the data integrity while performing the OST to MSG conversion process. We’ll walk you through the conversion steps in the next section. 

Steps to Convert OST to MSG Files

• First, download and run the OST to MSG Converter software.
• Then, click “Select Files/Select Folder” to choose your OST files.
• Next, preview your emails and pick the ones you want to convert (use the tree structure to navigate).
• Here, choose “MSG” from the format list and any other features you want.
• Now, pick a destination folder to save your converted MSG files.
• At last, click “Convert” and the conversion process will start. 

Conclusion

While OST files are prominent for working offline in Outlook, MSG files offer more flexibility for sharing and working with individual emails. If you need to convert OST to MSG format, you can either use the manual method or a reliable OST to MSG converter tool. These tools offer a safe and efficient way to convert your emails, attachments, and other data into a more manageable format. On the other hand, in the manual method, there is a high chance of data loss.

Also Read: Import OST File Into Outlook Quickly & Convert OST to MBOX Format.