Manual Methods to Import OST to Windows Live Mail – A Comprehensive Guide

Updated On - March 1, 2024 by Henry Bray | Reading Time: 3 minutes

OST files are a type of file used by Microsoft Outlook to store offline copies of email messages, contacts, calendars, and other data. Windows Live Mail is an email client developed by Microsoft that is a successor to Outlook Express. It allows users to access email messages, contacts, calendars, and other data in one place. In this blog, we will discuss how to import OST files to Windows Live Mail using manual methods. Additionally, we will suggest a third-party converter tool as a better solution for importing OST files to Windows Live Mail.

Overview of OST Files

OST files are created when Outlook is configured to use Cached Exchange Mode. Cached Exchange Mode allows users to work with their email messages and other data when they are not connected to the Exchange server. When Outlook is connected to the server, changes made to the offline data are synchronized with the server.

OST files contain all of the data that is stored in a user’s mailbox on the Exchange server. This includes email messages, contacts, calendars, and other data. OST files are stored on the user’s computer and are encrypted for security.

Overview of Windows Live Mail

Windows Live Mail is an email client developed by Microsoft. It is a successor to Outlook Express and is included with Windows Essentials. Windows Live Mail allows users to access email messages, contacts, calendars, and other data in one place. It supports multiple email accounts and allows users to read and send email messages offline.

Need for Importing OST to Windows Live Mail

There are several reasons why a user may need to import OST files to Windows Live Mail. For example, if a user has recently switched from Outlook to Windows Live Mail, they may want to import their old emails and other data to their new email client.

Additionally, if a user has lost access to their Exchange server or their Exchange account has been deactivated, they may need to import their OST file to Windows Live Mail to access their old data.

Manual Methods to Import OST to Windows Live Mail

Here we are explaining 2 manual methods, you can choose as per your convenience.

Method 1: Convert OST to PST Using MS Outlook

Following are the steps to convert OST file to PST file using Outlook:-

1. In MS Outlook > Select ‘File’ option in menu bar and then Click on ‘Import/Export’ button.
2. Now, Select ‘Export to a file’ and go to ‘Next’.
3. Select “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and click on “Next”.
4. Select the folder that you want to export and click on “Next”.
5. Choose a location to save the PST file and click on “Finish”.
6. Once the PST file is saved, open Windows Live Mail and click on the “File” menu.
7. Click on “Import Messages” and then click on “Microsoft Outlook”.
8. Select the PST file that you saved in step 6 and click on “Next”.
9. Select the folders that you want to import and click on “Next”.
10. Click on “Finish” to import the folders.

Method 2: Use IMAP to Synchronize Mailbox Data

This method involves using an email client that supports both IMAP and Exchange accounts. Follow the steps below:

1. Open Microsoft Outlook and go to the File tab.
2. Click on Account Settings, then select Account Settings again.
3. Select the Exchange account you want to synchronize and click on Change.
4. Click on More Settings, then select the Advanced tab.
5. Check the box for Use Cached Exchange Mode, then select the option to Download Shared Folders.
6. Click on OK to save the changes.
7. Open Windows Live Mail and go to the Accounts tab.
8. Click on Email, then select Add an Email Account.
9. Enter your Exchange account information and click on Next.
10. Select IMAP as the incoming server and enter the server information.
11. Enter your username and password, then click on Next.
12. Click on Finish to complete the setup process.
13. Once the setup process is complete, Windows Live Mail will start synchronizing your mailbox data with the Exchange server.

Professional tool to import OST to Windows Live Mail

A better solution for importing OST files to Windows Live Mail is to use a reliable and efficient third-party converter tool, such as Regain OST Converter. This tool is specifically designed to convert OST files to a variety of formats, including PST and EML. It is easy to use and provides a fast and efficient conversion process.

Steps of the Third-Party Tool to Import OST to Windows Live Mail

To import OST files to Windows Live Mail using Regain OST to PST Converter, follow these steps:

• Step1: Download and install Regain OST to EML Converter.
• Step2: Launch the converter tool and click on “Open” to select the OST file that you want to convert.
• Step3: Now click on the Export and select the “EML” format for conversion
• Step4: Choose the destination location to save the converted EML files and click on the Convert Now button.

Once the conversion is complete, Now open Windows Live Mail email client and Select ‘File‘ menu to import messages. Choose the ‘EML Folder‘ to initiate the import process.

Conclusion

Here we discuss both manual and professional solution to import OST files to Windows Live Mail, Now it is up to you, which method you prefer. I would suggest you to try the free version of our tool, it will help you to understand the software functionality and capability.