Extract Attachments from OST Files – 2 Complete Solutions

Microsoft Outlook is a robust email client with features like journal creation and automated email arrangement. We all know that Outlook saves data in two file formats – PST and OST. An Outlook data file (.ost), also called Offline Storage Table or OST in short, is a file format used to store a copy of your mailbox information offline on your local system. This blog explores the reasons and solutions to extract attachments from OST files. Read this blog till the end to understand the attachment extraction process for an OST data file.

What is the Cause of Extracting OST File Attachments?

There are many reasons for extracting attachments from OST data files. Some of them are discussed in the following points.

• Data Backup – The primary reason to download email attachments from OST files is having a local backup of the email data for future reference. Having a backup of your OST file attachments on your computer enables you to access them in case of accidental data loss or backend problems from Microsoft’s side.
• Save Account Storage – Another reason to extract attachments from OST files is to have extra account storage for new emails on your Outlook account. You can download the attachments on your computer and delete them from the server, therefore creating extra space for sending and receiving emails.
• Improved Outlook Performance – The third reason for downloading attachments from OST files is improving Outlook’s performance. Since attachments have large sizes, they occupy a considerable space in your Outlook profile. Having a local backup of attachments can help you save account space and improve Outlook’s functionality.

These reasons explain how you need to extract all attachments from OST files. We will now discuss the solutions for the attachment extraction process. Follow the steps of the methods properly to avoid any mistakes.

Download Email Attachments from OST Files Manually

The OST file is already in the Outlook profile. So, you have to just open the email in Outlook and save the attachment. It is easy and free, so follow the steps below to get your attachments.

• Open the Outlook app on your computer.
• Select an email with attachments and open it.
• Choose an attachment and select Save All Attachments from the menu.
• Click Save to download them on your computer.
• Repeat the same process for other emails with attachments.

The manual process to download email attachments from OST files sounds easier for Outlook users, but it is quite tough and time-consuming. You have to manually extract attachments from each email, and ensure that all attachments get downloaded to your computer. Another problem with this method is your OST data file must be connected with the Exchange Server, since a disconnected OST file becomes orphan and you can’t access an orphaned OST file.

Watch this Video to Guide You Extract OST File Email Attachments

Steps to Extract Multiple OST File Attachments

• Step 1.) Install the software and run it on your computer.
  
• Step 2.) Click the Open menu, select Email Data Files and click on Outlook PST/OST Files to add the OST file.
  
• Step 3.) Add the OST file to the software interface by clicking the Open button.
  
• Step 4.) Click the Extract dropdown menu and select Attachments.
  
• Step 5.) Type the file extension for specific extraction and then Save button to extract attachments from OST files.
  

Astonishing Features of the Attachment Extractor Software

• You can export email attachments from any mail server, email clients and file formats.
• The tool allows you to save your attachments into a new folder in your computer system.
• Users can save attachments from selected emails by using the advanced search filters.
• It is capable of saving inline attachments from your message body of all the emails.
• The software’s algorithm helps to maintain the original format of the files.
• Users can install this utility on any Windows OS versions both old and new versions.

Time to Wrap Up

We explored the reasons and solutions to extract attachments from OST files in this blog. We also mentioned reasons to download OST file attachments safely. The solutions are manual and professional which give you the results that you want. However, the manual method’s drawbacks make it unusable for extracting attachments from OST files in bulk.

Therefore, the automated software described in the blog becomes the only safe option to extract Outlook OST file attachments. This software securely downloads OST file attachments to your computer, enabling you to have extra space for new emails in your Outlook account.