Member Avatar for BenedekFekete

We have someone with Outlook 2010 from an old system that is no longer is use.
Outlook 2010 still works because it's using an OST file to see the emails.
How do I convert the Outlook 2010 OST file in to a PST file and use on our New O365 Outlook 2013?

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Short summary and extra options that complement 's suggestion.

If Outlook 2010 on the old machine still opens the mailbox, 's "copy into a PST from the live profile" is the simplest supported route. A few additional points make the process safer and give alternatives if that approach isn't possible.

An OST is a cached copy tied to a specific Outlook profile (Exchange or cached IMAP). If the original server/mailbox still exists, the cleanest solution is to add the Office365 account to the old Outlook or reconfigure the new client to connect to the server and let it sync—no OST-to-PST conversion needed. If the server is gone and the only accessible copy is the OST, the reliable Microsoft-supported path is to open the mailbox with Outlook and export or copy items to a PST (mail, calendar, contacts). Use Outlook’s export tools or archive selectively so you can split large mailboxes into manageable PST files and preserve calendars/contacts.

If the old profile won’t open (an “orphaned” OST), third-party OST→PST utilities or advanced tools (for example, MFCMAPI) can extract items, but they vary in capability and risk. Always make a bit-for-bit backup of the OST before trying any converter. Expect limitations: some server-only items, delegation settings, rules, and certain metadata may not survive conversion. Test the converted PST on a non-production profile first.

Practical troubleshooting: export in folder-sized batches if exports fail or time out; run Outlook in safe mode to disable problematic add-ins; verify calendar and contacts after import; if you plan a larger migration to Office365, evaluate Microsoft’s PST-import options or use Outlook to import PSTs into the cloud mailbox. These steps reduce data loss and make the handoff to Outlook 2013/Office365 predictable.

Member Avatar for JohnHouston

If the conversion fails you can do this:
Make a new PST file within the outlook 2010 profile, open it in outlook 2010. Drag the email folders from the OST account over into the PST file. Now you can import or just simply open that PST file in outlook 2013 and access the mail items.

To create PST File:
- On the Home tab, in the New group, click New Items, point to More Items, and then click Outlook Data File.
- In the Create or Open Outlook Data File dialog box, in the File name box, type the name as you want it to appear in the Outlook Navigation Pane, and then click OK.

Edited by happygeek because: spam link removed
Member Avatar for BenedekFekete

I am grateful to you

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