Free Ways to Move OST Files to MSG Files-Reliable Solution
When you set up Microsoft Outlook with Exchange, IMAP, or Office 365 accounts, it uses OST (Offline Storage Table) files to store mailbox data on your computer. OST files let people work offline and then sync up their modifications when the server connection is back up. But you can't open OST files on their own; they depend on profiles. Users sometimes need to export OST files to MSG format to save certain emails, distribute messages, or make a structured backup.
MSG files hold individual Outlook emails with all their information, like the sender, receiver, subject, date, and attachments. This blog post from talks about the free ways to FixVare OST to MSG Converter , their limits, and when you need to hire an expert to do it. 
Why should you export OST files to MSG files?
There are a number of reasons why people choose to change OST emails to MSG format:
• To keep each email distinct
• For legal or compliance reasons
• You may easily share emails with other Outlook users.
• Making backups at the email level
• Moving some emails
Outlook works with a lot of MSG files and keeps the full formatting of the email.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Using Free Methods
Before using any manual or free method, remember these things:
• You need to be able to open the OST file in Outlook
• The original Outlook profile should be open
• Free approaches don't work with OST files that don't have a parent.
• The manual approach takes a lot of time
Why It's hard to ship in bulk
Method 1: Use the drag-and-drop method to export OST to MSG for free.
This is the easiest and entirely free way to move emails from OST to MSG format.
Steps:
1. Start Microsoft Outlook
2. Open the mailbox folders that are saved in the OST file.
3. Choose one or more emails
4. Move them to a folder on your computer by dragging and dropping them.
5. Emails will be saved in .msg format by default.
Pros:
• No cost
• Simple to use
• Keeps the formatting of emails
Limitations:
• Not good for big mailboxes
• You have to choose by hand
• There is a chance that emails will be missed.
Method 2: Use the "Save As" option to save OST emails as MSG.
You can utilize the built-in "Save As" option in Outlook to save emails in MSG format.
1. Open Outlook and choose an email.
2. Click on "File" and then "Save As."
3. Pick a place on your computer
4. Choose the Outlook Message Format (.msg)
Click Save. Benefits:
• Built-in Outlook functionality
• Keeps attachments and information safe
Limitations:
• One email at a time
• Takes a lot of time
• Not good for exporting in large amounts
Third free way: Copy emails to a local folder and then export them.
Another way to do it by hand is to copy OST emails to a folder on your computer and then export them.
1. Make a new folder in Outlook on your computer
2. Move emails from the OST mailbox to the local folder.
3. Move emails to the system location by dragging and dropping them.
4. Emails are preserved as MSG files.
Limitations:
• Needs an active Outlook profile
• Work that needs to be done by hand
• The chance of making a mistake by a person
Why Free Methods Aren't Always Reliable
Free methods are good for fundamental necessities, however they have a lot of problems:
• Can't send orphaned OST files to other people
• No support for bulk conversion
• A high probability of losing data
• Takes a long time for big mailboxes
• Needs to have Outlook installed
Because of these problems, consumers typically turn for automated solutions.
Professional Option: OST to MSG Converter
When free options don't work, Fixvare OST to MSG Converter is a dependable and professional way to export OST emails to MSG format.
Main Features:
• Export a lot of OST files to MSG
• Works with OST files that are orphaned or encrypted
• Keeps email attachments and metadata safe
• Keeps the folder hierarchy in order
• Works with all versions of Outlook
Pros:
• No need for an Exchange server
• Quick and correct conversion
• Easy to use interface
• Removes the chance of losing data
Conclusion
If your Outlook profile is active and you only need to save a few emails, free ways to export OST to MSG files are helpful. The "Save As" option and drag-and-drop are two ways that can work, but they don't function well for huge mailboxes or orphaned OST files.
OST to MSG Converter is the finest way to safely and quickly export OST emails into MSG format. It is dependable, saves time, and looks professional.