How Can I View an OST Files?

How Can I View an Outlook OST Files? In order to view your Exchange Offline data i.e. OST file you must be aware of the location it is saved at and be available with Exchange environment. The process of locating path of OST file differs depending upon the version of MS Outlook being used. The usual path that stores OST files is:

C:\ Documents and Settings\ username\ Local Settings\ Application Data\ Microsoft\ Outlook\ Outlook.ost

You can locate the default path from Offline Folder File Settings window from Advanced Settings of Outlook client.

Offline OST Folder


Using the Free OST Viewer, users can read OST files. Email, contacts, calendar, etc. The software will generate a preview of each message. The attributes of these messages include "Sender", "Subject", "Recipient", "Sent", "Date Received" and "Size" (in bytes). People can also view detailed information related to OST email messages such as path, subject, CC, recipient, Bcc, etc.

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Can I View an OST File

Steps to View OST File

Case 1: Access Outlook OST File when Exchange environment is unavailable.

After complete installation, open the software. The OST Viewer Freeware is suitable in the scenario when you are still unable to view them due to unavailability of the right environment and platform.

  • Add OST file to the program.

Add File

  • Select open the file via desired scanning mode: Quick or Advance scan.

Two Scanning Mode

  • After successful scan of OST file, you can preview its folder list on the left panel of software.

Folder List

  • The folder list can be viewed with Item Count and individual email preview can be taken in Normal Mail View tab. While other views are also available for viewing the same email.

Preview OST Emails

  • For emails with attachments, get a preview of the attachments in Attachments tab.

Case 2: Access Corrupted OST File

If you are having a corrupt OST data file then recovering it is the first step towards opening and viewing its contents. Using reliable solution OST Recovery Software can help view OST files damaged due to any reason.

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  • Once the file is selected from its respective location, you can scan it using any of the two suitable scan modes; Quick or Advance.

Dual Scanning Mode

  • After a successful scan; your OST file folders will be loaded on the software interface in a tree structure.

Folder List

  • This way you will now be able to view all folders with their Item Count

Normal Mail View

  • And you can also preview recovered emails individually.

Read Message

  • Export options to convert OST into PST, MSG, and EML offer you the ability to make platform dependent OST files independent. You can carry out selective folder export.

Export Options