Introduction to OST and PST File

Offline Storage Table (.OST) files are created by Microsoft Outlook email client. When Microsoft outlook is used in conjunction with Microsoft Exchange Server, your email messages, calendar, and other items are delivered to and save on the server. Normally, OST files work offline. It creates a local copy of all the data that is to be saved on the user’s computer. When the server is connected and Outlook turns online, all the saved email messages and information are delivered to respective client immediately. OST files prove to be useful option where the network is limited.

Personal Storage Table (.PST) file is a Microsoft Outlook data file that stores a user’s Outlook data such as email messages, attachments, appointments, contacts and more. The PST file is created in Microsoft Outlook email client application used for storing data related to POP3 (Post Office Protocol Version 3) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) accounts. Personal Storage Table files are used by all versions of Microsoft Outlook. The Outlook data files from 1997 to 2002 used ANSI format. IT is basically an extended version of ASCII coding. These files had a maximum size of 2 GB. Outlook 2003 and later versions use UNICODE format for Outlook data files. The maximum size of PST file in Outlook 2003 and 2007 are 20 GB and for Outlook 2010 and 2013 are 50 GB.

               

What is the difference between PST and OST files used in Outlook?

OST File

PST file

1. The OST is an acronym for the Offline Storage Table. It is an offline folder created by Microsoft Exchange to hold offline copies of email messages, contacts, calendar entries and task. 2. In Microsoft Exchange you can repair the corrupted OST files by using the Scanost.exe utility, which you can find when you run a search on your computer. 3. When we connect Microsoft with Exchange Server (MAPI) then it creates .OST file. The Cached Exchange Mode must be enabled to create an OST file. 4. You can work on OST files even when you are not connected to your Exchange server. You can read email messages, edit, compose, and delete and when you get online it will synchronize automatically with your Exchange server mailbox. 5. The OST file folder is extremely useful in areas where internet connections are unreliable or limited. 6. The location of OST files in Windows 7 and Windows Vista drive:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook Window XP: drive:\Document and Settings\user\Local Setting\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

1. PST is an acronym for Personal Storage Table. PST is the file format for the data files that outlook uses to store all of your Outlook data, including your email messages, contacts, calendar, and so on. 2. In Microsoft Outlook you can repair the corrupted PST files by using the Scanpst.exe utility, which you can find when you run a search on your computer. 3. When we connect Microsoft Outlook with a POP3 account then it creates .PST file. When we connect Microsoft Outlook with a POP3 account then it creates .PST file.  4. In Microsoft Outlook you can store PST files anywhere on your computer and it makes much easier for you to keep a backup of your PST files or move it from one computer to another. 5. The PST file folder is not suited for use in areas with unreliable or limited connections. 6. The location of PST file in Window 7 and Window Vista is : - drive:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook Window XP: drive:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Advantages of Offline Storage Table

OST Files are of immense importance in case of limited, unreliable, and vulnerable Internet Connectivity. OST files offer the flexibility to work offline. Users use this method to keep their work safe and secure. If you are working offline you never lose your work, no matter whether the Exchange server is connected or not. If Exchange database is corrupted and reaches in an unrecoverable state then users can retrieve data from OST stored on the hard drive.

Advantages of Personal Storage Table (.PST)

PST files help the end user by expanding the amount of storage space as per the requirement of the user to store the data and also give them an offline access to the data. You can split PST file by date, size, email id, etc. This provides you effective Outlook management and also avoids corruption of PST file. PST files make email portable.

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