How to Extract Attachments from OST Files – Easy Methods

Businesses receive many email attachments with crucial documents such as contracts and reports. They extract attachments from OST Files to protect these documents, especially when Outlook is inaccessible. Doing so prevents accidental data loss and improves document organization. How can one efficiently do this? The user has two ways to do it: manually by using Outlook or by choosing an instant solution, the Cigati OST to PST Converter. This blog will compare both options to help you find the ideal solution for individual and professional use.

An OST (Offline Storage Table) is a data file used by Microsoft Outlook that allows users to store mailbox data locally. It synchronizes with the Exchange Server.

Why Extracting Attachments from OST Files?

Before going any further, let’s take a moment to understand why this process is essential. The key points are given below that highlights the benefits of this process:

1. Unexpected shutdowns and system crashes may damage OST Files. Hence, extracting attachments helps businesses to retrieve essential documents.
2. Large attachments can take up a lot of mailbox space, affecting Outlook’s performance. Therefore, storing or extracting attachments separately frees up storage.
3. Companies need to create a backup of important documents for long-term access and protection against accidental deletion. Extracting attachments certainly eliminates this issue.
4. Legal and IT teams extract attachments from large files in cases involving financial records, legal disputes, etc.
5. When switching to a new email platform, extracting attachments separately ensures accessibility without transferring the entire mailbox.

Navigate to the next section for a detailed walkthrough on exporting attachments from OST Files.

How to Extract Attachments from OST Files? – Top 2 Solutions

One can do this by using either manual techniques or an automated method. The manual processes take time and require significant effort. They can also be tedious and technically challenging. An automated method makes the task easier and more efficient. Additionally, it ensures a smooth extraction from OST Files with minimal hassle. 

Manually Save Attachments from OST Files Using Outlook

Before proceeding with the method, make sure that your OST File is linked to your  Outlook profile. This method is best suited for small-scale extractions only.

Take a look at the step-by-step approach:

1. Open Microsoft Outlook.
2. Navigate to the email containing the attachments and open it.
3. Right-click on the attachment and click on Save As.
4. Now, choose the path to save your file. 

Limitations: No feature in Outlook allows the extraction of attachments from all emails at once. Outlook may not open a corrupted OST File.

Export Attachments from OST Files Using Outlook’s Export Feature

This procedure involves exporting the OST Files to PST file format and thereby extracting the attachments. Exporting it to PST File has multiple benefits. The user can extract attachments from multiple emails, backup emails with attachments, etc. 

Given below is the process of extracting attachments from OST Files:

1. Launch the Outlook application.
2. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Export to a file. Click on Next.
3. Now, select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
4. Select the email having the attachments and click Next to continue.
5. After that, save the exported PST File to a destination folder.
6. Again, navigate to File > Open & Export > Outlook Data File.
7. Locate the exported PST File and open it.
8. Open the email, right-click on the attachment, and select Save As.
9. In cases of, 

Saving multiple attachments from an email at once	Open the email in Outlook > File > Save Attachments > Save All AttachmentsChoose a path to save the file.
Extracting multiple attachments from different emails	Open Outlook > Search Bar > Type has:attachments. Choose multiple emails > File > Save Attachments

Limitations: By exporting it to PST, the user has to manually save the attachments from emails. Also, exporting large OST Files to PST File Format may affect Outlook’s performance.

The Professional Approach to Extract Attachments from OST Files

The Cigati OST Attachment Extractor Tool is a comprehensive software for managing and converting PST Files. It offers flexibility in managing attachments like saving them separately or excluding them from the conversion. This tool is equipped with features like multiple saving formats, bulk conversion, preview options, mail filters, etc. In addition to this, it comes with a duplicate email removal feature. Being highly compatible across OS and all Outlook versions, this tool fulfills both individual and business requirements.

Quick Steps to Extract Attachments from OST Files

1. Install and launch the tool on your system.
2. Select between Single File/Multiple Files or Select Folder and proceed by clicking Next.
3. Add OST File from your system by choosing Select Files or Select Folder.
4. After that, check the folders and preview your emails. Then, click Next.
5. Go to Save/Backup/Migrate As > File Format > PDF.
6. Choose Convert Attachments to PDF.
7. Enter the destination path to save the resultant file. 
8. Check the additional features and apply them if needed.
9. Lastly, click on Convert.

Conclusion

Extracting attachments from OST Files prevents storage issues while enhancing Outllok’s performance. In this guide, we discussed the significance of this process. While manual methods provide a way to do it, they are inefficient for bulk extractions. To save time and effort, using a professional tool to extract attachments from OST Files is the best choice. It simplifies the process by providing a faster, secure, and hassle-free experience. Whether the objective was to manage your mailbox better or automate the tasks, this guide presented the best approaches.

You May Also Read: Extract Contacts from OST File

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 – How do I extract contacts from the OST file?

Ans – Follow these steps to manually extract contacts from the OST File:

1. Open Outlook > File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Export to a file > Next.
2. Then, choose CSV and click Next. 
3. Now, select the contacts from your mailbox, choose a path to save, and click Finish. 
4. You can now open your CSV File in Excel.

Q2 – How do I extract emails from an OST file?
Ans – Instead of extracting emails by converting the entire OST File, try extracting emails by archiving them. For that: Open Outlook > File > Options > Advanced > AutoArchive Settings. Select the archiving period choose the destination folder and click Ok.

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