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Where is the OST File in Outlook 2010
Overview
MS Outlook is one of the commonly used email client by several organizations. Other than its main repository storage PST file, it is also associated with another file OST. OST file is used when the Outlook account is configured with Exchange Server by enabling MAPI protocol. Since the file is stored locally in the system on which the Outlook profile is configured, the blog will be discussing about how user can find the location of the OST file in Outlook 2010.
OST File
The Offline Storage Table (OST) File is the file that is generated after enabling the cached mode from Outlook that will allow to work without server in offline mode. If there is any changes user has made in this mode, it will be synchronized with Exchange Server database when there is connection. Since the user’s data remains on the server, OST file can be re-created on the new system without using the backup of OST file.
Where is the OST File located?
MS Outlook OST files are offline folders with the extension of .ost that are located locally in the system. The file is created automatically when you set up MS Outlook or when user makes a folder in an Outlook account offline. OST file can be located under the path below in the Windows System:
Outlook 2010 in Windows 7 and Windows Vista/8/10
C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
C:\ Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook’
Issues related to OST File
Since OST file is used when the Outlook profile is associated with Exchange Server through MAPI Protocol, it is only attached to that MAPI profile. There increases the chance of making OST file orphaned when the mailbox is dismounted /deleted from Exchange server. Other factor is issues that are encountered while synchronizing Outlook with Exchange server, malware attacks, improper shut down, etc.
Manual Method for conversion from OST to PST
1) Open Outlook
2) Select ‘File’, then ‘Open & Export’ & choose ‘Import and Export’.
3) Go to ‘Export to a file’ and click ‘Next’
4) Select ‘Outlook Data File (.pst)’ for selecting PST file type & click on Next
5) Select the folder from which items needs to be imported
6) Choose the target folder to save the resultant PST file
7) Click on ‘Finish’
The drawback of using this method is that conversion from OST to PST file is possible only when the user is connected to Exchange Server. It will not work if the user gets disconnected from Exchange Server or in case of damage of Exchange Server. Since the manual method cannot give satisfactory results, we can use a third party tool OST Recovery for Switch OST to PST. The software is a one-in-all solution for the easy conversion of OST to PST file and recovery of data in corrupt or inaccessible OST files. It imposes no size limitation on the OST file & keeps the original formatting of all items in OST file intact after conversion.
Conclusion
The blog has been discussing about the OST file and the storage location of the file used in Outlook 2010. It further describes about the issues of the OST file encountered by Outlook users and solution to overcome those issues by converting the damaged OST file to healthy PST file.