How to Extract Contacts from OST File?

Whether you are moving, recovering data from a system crash or simply creating a backup, it’s crucial to get contacts from OST file. Unfortunately, OST files are not designed for direct access as they are encrypted with Outlook with MAPI protocols. After dismounted from Outlook it will become corrupted and not able to access it directly.

If you are using Microsoft Outlook, you may be familiar with OST files Offline Storage Table that stores mailbox data for offline use. While these files are incredibly useful for accessing emails and other Outlook items without connectivity.

Reasons to Get Contacts from OST File

• When an Outlook profile gets deleted or an Exchange Server account inaccessible, OST file remains on the local system. Extract contacts from OST file can help to recover essential contacts information that would otherwise be lost.
• Export contacts from OST file can help you to protect against accidental deletion, corruption or data loss. Extracting contacts from OST file is a proactive measure to create a secure backup in a universally accessible format like CSV or vCard.
• If you are moving to another machine, migrating to a different Outlook version or switching email platform. Extracted contacts from the OST file help you to continuous productivity.
• OST files can become corrupt due to forced shutdown, virus attack or connectivity errors. Export contacts from OST file helps you to save crucial data before it becomes corrupted completely.
• There are OST files that are no longer associated with Outlook profiles . When Outlook is uninstalled or profile gets disabled then OST becomes orphan. Contact extraction from an OST file is a crucial way to save an important address book from an OST file.

How to Extract Contacts from OST File Manually?

If you want to get contacts from an OST file manually then you can opt Outlook native Import/Export feature. But to perform this, you must be have active Outlook profile and have healthy OST file to follow the process:

1. First, open Microsoft Outlook and navigate to the file.
2. Click on open and export and press on Import/Export.
3. Choose Export to a file and press Next option.
4. Browse Comma Separated Value and hit on Next to proceed.
5. Now, Browse Contacts in Outlook mailbox folder as you want to export.
6. Choose the destination path and press finish to get contacts from OST file.

Lacks of Manual Method

• It will consume lots of time as per the size of Outlook mailbox data.
• User must be friendly with Outlook functionality to handle this approach,
• You cannot restore and convert damaged, corrupted, and inaccessible OST files.

Quick Steps to Export Contacts from OST File

1. Download Automated Software on your pc then launch it.
2. Click on Convert configured Outlook mailbox data or let me select OST files.
3. Choose OST mailbox folders as you wish to export.
4. Browse vCard in the list of Saving options.
5. Choose Advanced filter and select Ignore System folder hierarchy as needed.
6. Select path and press Convert button to fix this issue.

Highly Beneficial Features of Automated Approach

• This software also offers to convert OST to CSV, PDF, PST, MBOX, EML and 37+ Saving features.
• With this wizard, you can also use filter options such as date range, from, to, subject, exclude folders, organizer, root folder, exclude empty folder, mails, calendars, contacts and more.
• It also offers you to import OST to Microsoft 365, Thunderbird, Zimbra, Maildir, Outlook and many more.
• With this wizard, you can also convert individual or batch OST files at once and also can auto-detect OST files and offer fully maintained results as appears in the source file.
• It offers you to restore and convert corrupted, dismounted, oversize and inaccessible OST files.

Helpful Questions and Answers

Are contacts stored in an OST File?

Yes, Contacts stored in an OST file if you are using Outlook with Exchange, Microsoft 365 or Outlook.com. OST stored emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, and all other Outlook data.

How to Extract contacts from Outlook file?

Open Outlook and click on file then press on open and export and next click on Import/Export after that choose Export to a file and select Comma Separated Value and choose Contacts as you wish to export contacts from OST file or any other.

What formats can I Export Contacts to?

Outlook allows exporting contacts to CSV, vCard and convert OST to PST files. CSV is best for Excel, vCard for mobile and apps and full Outlook data backup or transfer. Select extension as per your requirement.

Best Practices for Managing Outlook Contacts

• Export Outlook contacts regularly in vCard or CSV file for backup file. It will help you to protect from data loss or file corruption issues.
• Use Outlook category or contact group features to filter contacts by client type and projector department. It improves productivity and allows you to send emails in bulk.
• Verify sync process enabled to reflect changes on Server such as Microsoft 365, Exchange Server or any IMAP account to reflect changes on all devices such as desktop, mobile and web platform automatically.
• Outlook offers cleanup tools to detect and remove duplicate contact.. Regularly run these tools to keep your Address Book clean and avoid duplication.

Let’s Wrap Up

In this guide, you will learn all effective methods to extract contacts from an OST file. As we shared all necessary information and reasons behind this query. In addition, we have also described a manual and automated approach to fill the solution. Both working situations are different from manual work when an OST file is linked with an Outlook profile. But if not, then you can opt automated software as it is completely reliable for corrupted, damaged or any oversize OST file without facing any limitations.