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Accessing OST Files

Anonymous
2024-05-27T06:24:53+00:00

I have terminated a broadband contract with Virgin Media. This means that my virginmedia.com email address will be terminated in 30 days. I have a number of OST Files which are a backup of the mailbox taken at various points during the past years. My question is, will these OST Files be inaccessible when the Mailbox is terminated by Virgin Media, and if so, is there a Third Party App which will open the OST's when the account is terminated? Thank you.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-05-27T07:52:45+00:00

    Dear Roady [MVP],

    Thank you for the information.

    I'll produce PST's while I have the remaining time.

    Thank you, again.

    Victor.

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  2. Robert Sparnaaij [MVP] 18,396 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-05-27T07:40:11+00:00

    Backing up ost-files is a mainly pointless practice as it is merely a (partial) cache of your mailbox which can't be accessed as a standalone file.

    As you still have access to your mailbox, it is best to either export the contents or to copy/move it to a pst-file or the mailbox of your new email hosting provider.

    If you really need to access the contents of your ost-file, there are various 3rd party conversion tools available. However, note that when you haven't set your sync settings to cache the entire mailbox, the ost-file will only contain a part of your mailbox.

    See; Pst-files vs. pst-archives vs. ost-files - MSOutlook.info

    And; Backup and Restore all Outlook data - HowTo-Outlook

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