Difference Between Outlook OST and PST File: Complete Manual

What are OST and PST files in Outlook?

Both the OST and PST files store an exact copy of emails with attachments in the MS Outlook application. I’m talking about one of the most famous and popular email clients today, which is MS Outlook. This email management software is a powerful tool in the Microsoft Office suite. The email client comes with a regular update along with new add-on features that make the package more substantial.
In order to see the complex structure of MS Outlook, it has two files that work in the same way. Let us learn the difference between Outlook OST and PST files. But before that, Let’s know what OST and PST files are in the below context. You can also see how to Convert OST to PST Manually.

What is an OST file?

OST file is the acronym for Offline storage table, and it is located on the Exchange server; therefore, with the help of an OST file, the user can work in offline mode. When the internet connection is established again, it gets connected automatically.
The OST File is used only in the Exchange server environment, and with the help of OST files, users can even reply to the sender’s message in offline mode as well.

What is the .pst file?

PST file is the acronym for Personal Storage Table, and as the name suggests, it is located on the client’s hard disk and not on the Exchange server. Protocols like HTTP and IMAP use PST files for access. Apart from that, the PST file is stored on the server with whom the client is syncing but never on the Exchange server because a copy of the PST file is already saved there as an OST. Emails that tend to be sent and received are also stored in the PST format. Not only do PST files store calendar entries, attachments, and tasks regarding to-do lists, but contacts as well.

What is the difference between Outlook OST and PST files?

Although the MS Outlook software deals mainly with the management of emails, apart from that, it has embedded features that work amazingly well with the management of calendar tasks, to-do lists, contacts, and many others.

Rather than exaggerating the topic, I will dive right into the moot point, which expresses the difference between Outlook OST and PST as follows:

1. OST is an Offline storage folder that helps the user work even in offline mode. On the other hand, PST is the folder, which is a personal storage table that works online.
2. OST files are bound to the Exchange server only. But PST files can or cannot be used with the Exchange server. With this feature of PST, it can be used or synced with other mail servers as well.
3. OST folder can also be used when the user is online, irrespective of the mode in which OST works efficiently. PST, on the other hand, saves local data.
4. With their high efficiency, OST files provide the ability to work online, like composing, sending, and receiving mail, in offline mode. Otherwise, PST doesn’t work this way.

Conclusion

As we discussed above, Both the OST and PST files store an exact copy of emails with attachments in the MS Outlook application. We also described other things about an OST or PST file. I hope this information is beneficial in the respective terms. Along with this, you will be able to see the difference between Outlook OST and PST files in Outlook. If you are looking for the best OST to PST Converter, then you can check here.