Summary: An OST file allows Outlook users to work with emails, contacts, and calendars even without an internet connection. However, these files can become corrupt, oversized, or fail to sync properly with the Exchange or Office 365 server. In such cases, users can recreate OST file in Outlook to restore smooth Outlook performance.
An OST file, or Offline Storage Table file, is a type of data file used by Microsoft Outlook. The data is stored in the OST file format as a copy of your mailbox data from an Exchange, Microsoft 365, or IMAP account on your local PC. This file format allows you to access your data whenever you want in offline mode. You can access your Outlook emails, contacts, calendars, and other items even if you are not connected to the internet.
In the next section, we are going to discuss the common reasons that why users need to recreate OST file in Outlook. So, Let get started!
Why Users Need to Recreate OST File in Outlook?
- Corruption Issues: The OST file may become corrupted and damaged for various reasons. The OST file can corrupt due to system failures or improper shutdowns, which cause errors in Outlook.
- Sync Problems: If your Outlook is not syncing properly with emails, calendars, or folders, it is necessary to recreate the OST file to resolve this issue.
- Mailbox Upgrade: If the OST file has been migrated to a new server or Microsoft 365, the old OST file may not be compatible. Therefore, the user needs to recreate OST file in Outlook.
- Performance Issues: The performance of Outlook may slow down when the OST file is large. Recreating the OST file in Outlook will help improve speed and response time.
- Profile Changes: If you have made significant changes to the Outlook profile, a fresh OST file ensures clean synchronization.
- Startup Errors or Crashes: Outlook may crash and fail to open if the OST file becomes damaged. recreate OST file in Outlook will help resolve this issue.
So, there are several reasons that users want to recreate OST file in Outlook when they encounter various situations.
Methods to Recreate OST File in Outlook
If you are facing issues with your Outlook due to a corrupted and inaccessible OST file, a simple and effective solution is to recreate the OST file. When you rename, delete, or move the OST file, Outlook automatically rebuilds it the next time you start the application. Outlook will sync your fresh data from the mail server. Whenever you recreate your OST file, always ensure that you have a backup of your original OST file to prevent any data loss. In the section below, we have outlined the step-by-step procedure to recreate OST file in Outlook are as follows:
Method 1: Manage the OST File via Outlook Settings
This method is ideal for Outlook 2013 and 2016 users. Steps to manage the OST file in Outlook Settings-
- Firstly, Close Outlook.
- Open the Control Panel and click on Mail in Microsoft Outlook.
- In the Mail Setup dialog box, click the Email Accounts.
- Go to the Data Files tab, select your OST file, and click Open File Location.
- Right-click on the OST file and choose Delete.
- Then, Restart Outlook. It will detect the missing OST file and recreate it automatically by syncing data from the server.
Method 2: Change the File Extension of the OST File
This is a safe way to backup your OST file before Outlook creates a new one.
- Close Outlook and Open the file explorer and go to the OST file location.
- From the View menu tab, enable “File name extensions.”
- Right-click on the OST file and select Rename.
- Change the file extension from .ost to .bak (outlook .ost to outlook .bak ).
- Then, Launch the Outlook.
A new OST file will be created, and it will begin synchronizing with the server.
Method 3: Move the OST File to Another Location
Moving the OST file has a similar effect as deleting or renaming it. So, you can move the OST file to a different location to recreate the new OST file into Outlook.
- Close Outlook and Navigate to the OST file location.
- Cut and paste the OST file to a different folder (e.g., Desktop or Backup Folder).
- Reopen Outlook. It will automatically detect the missing file and rebuild a new OST file from the server.
Professional Solution to Recreate OST File in Outlook
If manual methods fail or the OST file is severely damaged, we recommend a professional tool to instantly and effortlessly recreate the OST file in outlook. To recreate OST files in Outlook, use Yota OST Converter Tool. It is the best option to convert and recover the OST files.
Additionally, this tool can convert OST files to different file formats and can easily extract attachments from the OST file. It also allows you to import OST files to Gmail, Office 365, Yahoo, etc. This tool maintains all email components and attributes and allows you to select the destination path. You can use the free version of this software to test its full efficiency before purchasing.
Wrap Up
To recreate OST file in Outlook is a reliable way to fix sync issues, file corruption, or profile-related errors. The manual methods provided above are usually enough to rebuild the file and restore smooth performance. However, if the OST is badly damaged or you need to recover important data, using a professional tool can be a safer choice. By following the right approach, you can quickly regain access to your mailbox and continue working without disruptions.
