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Difference Between OST and PST

OST files allow users to work offline with their Exchange server email, contacts and other data. OST files are created automatically when an Exchange account is configured in Outlook and stored locally to provide offline access. In contrast, PST files are manually created personal archives for storing Outlook data locally without synchronization to a server.

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113 views

Difference Between OST and PST

OST files allow users to work offline with their Exchange server email, contacts and other data. OST files are created automatically when an Exchange account is configured in Outlook and stored locally to provide offline access. In contrast, PST files are manually created personal archives for storing Outlook data locally without synchronization to a server.

Uploaded by

rayar_ramu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Difference Between OST and PST

OST and PST are the data files used to store emails,
attachments, contacts, notes, and other data using Microsoft
Outlook. OST files are used to interact with the Exchange
Server while offline. PST files are used to store data on your
local computer. OST files are created when you configure
Outlook to work in caching exchange mode. PST files are
created when you create a new Outlook data file.

Read this article to find out more about OST and PST and how
they are different from each other.

What is OST?

OST files are file formats used by Microsoft Outlook to allow


users to work offline and have their changes synchronised
with the Exchange server when they reconnect to the network.
OST files are also called "offline storage Offine Storage Table.
OST files are created automatically whenever users set up an
Exchange account in Microsoft Outlook. It is saved on the
user's computer and is used to store a local copy of the user's
mailbox data.

OST files are used in two scenarios: with Microsoft Exchange


Server's cached exchange mode and when accessing Hotmail
mail via the Outlook Connector for Windows Live Hotmail.
Most accounts use OST files to allow users to access their
emails while they are offline.

Users who travel frequently or have intermittent network


connectivity will find OST files especially useful because they
can continue to work with their mailbox data even when they
are not connected to the server. Furthermore, OST files can
help reduce network traffic by allowing users to access their
mailbox data locally rather than downloading it from the
server each time they connect.

What is PST?

PST stands for Personal Storage Table. PST files are


commonly used for archiving and backup. Users can create
PST files to save copies of their email, contacts, and other
data, either to free up space on the Exchange Server or to
back up their data in the event of server failure or other
issues.

PST files are essentially databases that contain all of the


information associated with an Outlook account. They are
made up of a series of tables that contain information about
the account's various components, such as email messages,
contacts, and calendar entries. These tables are indexed to
facilitate data searching and retrieval.

PST files are used to store data in a small space. It is stored


locally on your computer instead of taking up space on the
email servers. The extension of the PST file will be.pst. It can
be secured with a password to prevent unauthorised access.
The location where the PST file is saved varies based on the
Outlook and Windows versions.

All versions of Outlook use the PST file, which has different
size limits. PST files are classified into two types: ANSI and
UNICODE. Outlook 2000 and 2002 were saved in ANSI format,
and their sizes can be up to 2 GB. Outlook 2003 and 2007
save PST files in UNICODE format and up to 20 GB in size.
Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 have a maximum file size
of 50 GB.

The following table highlights the major differences between


OST and PST: −
Characteristics OST PST

PST files are used to


OST files are used to interact with the
Definition store data on your
Exchange Server while offline.
local computer.

OST files are created when you PST files are created
Creation configure Outlook to work in caching when you create a
exchange mode. new Outlook data file.

Due to
Due to synchronization, the file size is
File Size synchronization, the
large.
file size is small.

Need to take backup


Backup Backups will be taken automatically.
manually

Due to data files


It is more secure due to the presence of stored on a local
Secure
encryption. computer, it is less
secure.

It is used in non-
It is used in Exchange Server
Usage Exchange Server
environments.
environments.

OST allows offline access to previously PST allows you to


Data Access downloaded data files such as emails, archive old emails,
contacts, notes, and other data. contacts, and notes.

Conclusion
In a nutshell, PST files are used for archiving and backup
purposes. OST files are used for offline access to data stored
on an Exchange server. OST files are stored on the user's
computer and synchronise changes with the server. PST files
can be stored locally or remotely and do not support
synchronisation. PST files are limited in size, whereas OST
files are not.

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