How to Open Outlook Data File without Outlook?

Ritu Roy | Email Conversion File Repair Google Updates How to's Software Technology | 5 minutes read | Last updated on February 8th, 2023,

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular email client applications that enable its users to manage multiple email accounts through single panel. In the absence of Exchange Server, MS Outlook stores all the entire data like emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, journals, etc. in PST (Personal Storage Table) file format. This PST file only viewable through the MS Outlook application but sometimes due to unavailability of Outlook operators want to open, view and read PST without Outlook application. Here in this article, I will explain methods of opening Outlook data file without Outlook.

There are commonly two types of Outlook data files available one is Offline Storage Table (.ost) and another is Personal Storage Table (.pst) which are used by Microsoft Outlook to save mail account data. So in this article you will get to know how to open PST data files in MS Outlook independently.

We have also found some user queries like-

  • How to open Outlook File in .ost file format?
  • How to open Outlook Data File in .pst format?

Let us learn the simple and easy steps on these queries-

Solution#1. How to Open Outlook Data File in .ost file format?

These kinds of data files can be opened with configure profile (Exchange/IMAP) as it were. When you disconnected to server or update your profile that time .ost file gets orphaned which can’t be open or import straightforwardly in MS Outlook. To open disconnected offline or orphaned OST file you can utilize one of the appropriate choices.

  1. Use a Free Tool: You can use free OST file viewer software to read messages independently without MS Outlook
  2. Convert into PST File Format: Another good options is converting OST to PST format and later import PST file into MS Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013 and etc.

Solution#2. How to Open Outlook Data File in .pst file format?

This step-by-step tutorial shows how to open Outlook data file in .pst file format in an easy and safe manner. These tips will help you to look more professional and will make your tasks easier.

Open an Outlook Data File

Choose File>>Open & Export>> Open Outlook Data File

Note: – Depending on how Outlook is set up, it’s likely the folder where the .pst file is stored will open automatically.

Choose the Outlook Data File (.pst), and then choose Open

When open the Outlook Data File, the fill will open in your folder pane. Generally you will find it at the bottom of the list of folders. The following image is an example. The name of your MS Outlook Data File (.pst) will likely not be Outlook data file. Commonly, the name is based on the account the file is associated with.

How to Backup Emails, Contacts, Calendars in Outlook?

For various specialists, Microsoft Outlook is the important of their work process. That being the situation, it’s essential to ensure that the application’s documents your emails records, contacts, and calendars are intermittently back up to a safe location path. In like manner, in case you’re moving to another PC, it’s much easier to re-load a single file than to go through the frustrating process of setting up your email accounts once more. Fortunately, Outlook makes it easy to manually back up your account and settings, and to re-import them for simple setup.

Follow step-by-step tutorial to backup emails, contacts, calendars, etc. in MS Outlook:-

Open MS Outlook Application

Go to File Menu>> select Open & Export the left-hand menu

Click the Import/Export option to open the Import and Export Wizard

Press the Export to open the Wizard

After that, select Export to a file from the action list and click Next button, which will result in two options. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst), and click Next again.

On the next Screen, choose which files and folders you want to backup. Most of the time, you will want to create a complete backup of the files for one account. Moreover, simply press the email address associated with the account, the first item in the list, and click Next. Make sure that include sub-folders is checked so that you capture all the information.

If you want better control of what’s backup, click an individual mail folder, the contacts or calendars section, or any of the other option in the list. By default, all of the folders within a selected folder will be backup as well. To disable this performance, un-check the box marked include sub-folders. To delete particular email messages from the backup, like mail sent to or from your personal address, click filters. On this step, you can generate a search by word, subject or body field, to or from address, or time. More advanced filters, including size, flags, and importance ratings, are available via the More Choices and Advanced tabs. When you’re finished setting up your filters, click OK to return to the export menu.

And the Next screen enables you to choose the destination path and name of your backup file. Click on Browse option, then locate to the folder you need, name the file, and click Ok button. The browser window will then close.

Lastly Click Finish button. If you want, you can add a password to this file for extra security, or leave both fields blank if you don’t want to assign a password. Then, press ok to create the backup file. Keep in mind that it may take a few seconds if you have a lot of emails stored in MS Outlook.

Using Third-Party Software- All-in-one Outlook Export Tool

To expertly export and import Outlook data files, you want to use a third party software that will easy the entire working process for you. Outlook Export tool is one such utility that offers quick and perfect solution for export Outlook PST files to multiple file formats. The software supports simple user-friendly interface which makes it suitable for both technical and non-technical users to effortlessly export Outlook mailbox to desired file format.