How to Migrate OST to Office 365 in Simple Steps?

Summary:- In this blog, you will learn why users want to migrate OST to Office 365 and the complete solution to import OST to Office 365 manually and with the help of OST to PST Converter Tool.

Migration from on-premises Exchange to Office 365 necessitates careful planning and administration. The method of mailbox migration (cutover, staged, or hybrid) is also determined by the number of mailboxes.

However, a difficulty emerges when the Exchange Administrator has to export mailbox data locked inside OST files; that is, OST files that do not have the corresponding mailbox profile on Exchange contain unsaved data. As a result, mailboxes saved in such OST files cannot be imported into Office 365 – since they are essentially a cache of the mailbox on the server and, therefore, cannot be read without Exchange and associated profile – unless an OST file can be extracted to PST, Office 365, or another accessible format.

With the launch of Exchange Online, users now have access to the sophisticated capabilities of Exchange Server without the need for an on-premises Exchange Server. In addition, Exchange Online is accessible with the Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise Edition subscription options. It may be purchased alone; however, with Microsoft 365, it is integrated with other MS Office apps. One advantage of a Microsoft 365 subscription is that you may subscribe to licenses based on the number of expected users. We know that OST files store copies of users’ email messages, contacts, and other data while using Microsoft Outlook offline mode with Exchange Server. Therefore, migrating users to Office 365 may wish to import their OST files. Sometimes OST files get corrupted, and they become inaccessible to use so to repair OST file follow this write-up.

What Need arises to Migrate OST to Office 365?

There may be no single reason for OST to Office 365 migration because of Exchange mailbox data on Office 365 cloud. It will serve you so many advantages. As Emails in Office 365 are worldwide accessible condition, you should have better and speedy internet connectivity. You can also open your Office 365 emails from your personal Android, Mac, Apple ios, tablets, etc. Several users like to keep a copy of their Exchange mailboxes to Office 365. To make this an easy task, one can move from Offline Outlook Data File (OST) to Office 365. Both webmail users and Exchange users can do the process of migrating OST files to Office 365. There may be not a particular reason to transfer OST files to Office 365. Several factors depend upon its migration. Like

• Users need a reliable platform as the frequency of exchange crashes is high.
• Exchange mailbox data on a cloud-like Office 365 serves you so many benefits.
• Enough OST files are stored in Office 365.
• Office 365 offers better security features.
• Office 365 is a more user-friendly platform compared to Outlook.
• The universal accessibility of Office 365 without proper internet connectivity makes it unique from others.
• You need to prevent big exchange maintenance downtime.
• Office 365 is compatible enough to quickly access your data in a safe environment after accidental deletion.
• Office 365 users can access their data from multiple devices.

Quick Methods to Import the OST File to Office 365

Albeit, there is no such direct method exists that can import OST files into Office 365 directly. You can migrate OST to Office 365 indirectly by following methods.

Method 1: Convert OST to PST and then Export it to Office 365

Although by this method you can migrate OST to Office 365 manually by proceeding with two parts. Step 1: Convert OST to PST 

• Launch the Outlook and tab the File menu.
• Go to Import/Export section and choose Export to a file then Next.
• Select as Outlook Data File then Next.
• Pick file/folders/sub folders to export and click Next.
• Hit Browse to select a destination for your Output file.
• Choose choices for managing duplicate files such as replacing duplicates with exported things, allowing duplicate items to be generated etc.,
• Following completion of this operation, tap Finish.
• Enter a password to protect your exported file from unauthorized access, then Ok
• Reach your selected destination to check your Output File.

Step 2: Importing PST File into Office 365

This part can be covered by two options:

• By using Azure Az Copy
• By Using Drive shipping

Option 1: By Azure Az copy

• Download and install Azure Azcopy.
• After the successful completion procedure, copy the Shared Access Signature (SAS) URL to grant permission for migrating the PST file to Azure.
• Upload the PST file to Office 365, and create a PST to map(.csv).
• In Office 365, create an import job to import a PST file.
• At last, set the data filter and start the PST import job.

Note: Azure Az is a method supported by Microsoft’s cloud platform that is distinct from Office 365. Results, before you start the procedure of uploading, some prerequisites are required.

• To implement this process, you have to assign an import/export role in Office 365. Here, the Administrator can assign the role to the user or the Organization Management role group.
•  You can not use Azure Storage Explorer to upload the PST files directly. The AzCopy tool will operate with the network upload method.
• The PST files should be available in the network-shared folder; otherwise, the utility cannot access the folder.
• This method is not suitable for more than 20 GB PST files.
• After successful completion, you need to make changes to the retention policy of Office 365 (according to suggestions) because there is a possibility that incoming emails are older and the system is unable to detect and remove these emails.

Option 2: By using Drive shipping:

Drive shipping to Microsoft helps to migrate PST files to Office 365. You must copy these PST files to the hard drive and send them to Microsoft. Here, Microsft will help you transfer your PST files to Office 365.

Method 2: Migrate OST to Office 365 with the help of a technical partner Sysinfo OST to PST Converter

Effectively translating, Notwithstanding the previous method, we tried to ease your efforts with the technical approach as well. If you are unable to proceed with the manual method. Then we suggest you opt for Sysinfo OST to PST Converter. That would not only help you to migrate OST to PST. But also, save your time and efforts during this conversion. You can proceed with this tool by following the steps.

• Start the Sysinfo OST to PST Converter software and run it as an administrator.
• Choose OST single/multiple file/s/folder/s.
• Select the folders from the tree structure and preview mail and its attachments.
• Opt different file format/email client from the drop-down list and log in with the required credentials.
• Select the option of saving in the same folder, remove duplicate emails, etc., as per requirement, and then hit Convert.
• Finally, the migration process to import OST to Office 365 starts.

Note:- This Software will only migrate healthy OST file to Office 365. If you want to migrate a corrupt OST file then you will have to try OST Recovery Tool.

Final Words

We discussed both manual and technical approaches to migrate OST to Office 365. You can choose either of these depending on your suitability and requirement for worthy data. If you go for the manual approach risk of proper implementation for your data always remains high. But if you go with a technical approach, there will be no scope for your data loss.

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