Outlook 2013.

My system disk got hosed so it would not boot.  However, all the file data is still there and can be read.  I rebuilt my system from scratch on another HDD.  I have the old HDD connected externally and I can see the OST files from my Outlook accounts.  I need to get the calendar, contacts, and notes from these OST files.  HOW can I connect to these and retrieve the data?  When I try to open the OST file from Outlook, I get the error, "The file you chose is not an Outlook Data File.  You must select a new file of this type."

I know there are OST to PST converters that cost $60 plus.  But these are mainly for corrupt OST files.  My files are not corrupt.  It seems that there should (or must) be a way to open these to retrieve the items in them, even if it is a "trick" of some sort.  Any help will be appreciated.  Thank you.

Doug

HOW can I connect to these and retrieve the data? 

Short answer - if you did not make a separate backup of the <folders> with "This computer only" in the description to a PST file - that information is lost which would be the case for contacts/calendar for IMAP based accounts in OL'2013.

OST files cannot be accessed separately or <re-used> when configuring an IMAP account. For any other email account type (EAS or Exchange) that uses OST files, the contacts/calendar info is located on the server and accessible when the account is configured again.

I saw a tool called OST2 that converts OST files to PST files.  Would you recommend that I go that direction?

I saw a tool called OST2 that converts OST files to PST files.  Would you recommend that I go that direction?

Your only option to recover the data in your situation is to use a 3rd party OST2PST conversion tool for which there are many to choose from. Unfortunately, not familiar enough with any of them to recommend one over another - just be sure to test any program of interest before purchasing.

Hi,

What is the type of your account? IMAP or Exchange?

For an Exchange account, the .ost file is a local copy of the mailbox on the Exchange Server, these contacts and calendars should still be available in the mailbox. If you setup the account in Outlook again, you will still have them.

If you need to import from the old .ost file, then as Karl mentioned, you will need some 3rd-party tool to convert the .ost file to .pst file. Please keep a backup of the .ost in case permanent damage is caused.

Regards,

Melon Chen
TechNet Community Su

I saw a tool called OST2 that converts OST files to PST files.  Would you recommend that I go that direction?

You can refer to Kernel for OST to PST Conversion Tool for your such requirements.

As Melon said, if you recreate your profile in Outlook and synchronize with Exchange again, then you will get your desired data back as OST file is an exact replica of mailbox at Exchange Server's end.

One the other hand, if you want to import PST file in Outlook, then to get PST file you need to convert OST file to PST and for that you have to take help of any 3rd party tool only. I have tried Stellar OST to PST converter a year back with successful outcome and over the year Stellar has improved the functionality and added more useful features to its products. This converter performed OST to PST Conversion without altering the formatting of the contents present in  my OST file.  So, I can confidently say that you can rely on Stellar OST to PST Converter to get importable PST file. You can download the demo version of this tool from http://www.stellarinfo.com/exchange-ost-recovery.htm 

I saw a tool called OST2 that converts OST files to PST files.  Would you recommend that I go that direction?

If need OST to PST software. Visit here : http://www.osttopsttutorial.net