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How to Open OST File in Outlook When Outlook Crashes?

Outlook OST files created by MS Outlook in cached mode or offline mode. Outlook permits to work in offline mode when Server goes to downtime or Outlook does not execute within a network. OST files keep the same data like PST files but, until the OST data synchronized to the Server users cannot view the updated data. Unexpected Outlook crash may explore error message along with the destructive instructions that holds:

  • AppName
  • AppVer
  • ModName
  • ModVer
  • Offset

Under such bothersome scenarios, it is required to get a powerful way to sort out the query how to open OST files after Outlook crash.

Determine Whether The Data Actually Corrupt?

Better to analyze why MS Outlook is exploring annoying situations, for this task it is suggested to go through Application Event Log. Steps for determining the location of Outlook crash are:

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Within Windows -> Start -> My Computer -> Manage

Manage

Computer Management Window

computer-manager

Go to extend Event Viewer & Windows Logs -> Application -> Actions -> Filter Current Log

filter-current-log

Fill 1000 in box "Includes/Excludes Event IDs"

Includes/Excludes

If you find the details like:

Faulting application name: Outlook.exe, version: 14.0.4760.1000
Faulting module name: Kernelbase.dll, version: 6.1.7600.16385
Exception code: 0x80000003
Fault offset: 0x0003194b

Then, you have found the location and information where the Outlook crash has taken place.

Procedure to Eliminate Outlook OST Corruption

Removal of errors and issues from damaged OST files is possible using built-in tool named as Inbox Repair tool.

  • Problem 1: The OST file is corrupt / damaged.
  • Problem 2: Exchange Outlook environment is unavailable.

Steps for OST repair with this tool are mentioned as:

Close Outlook
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14, search this location

Office14 Location

Get Scanpst.exe

Scanpst.exe

Under "Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool" dialog box -> Browse.
Get the OST file and open it with Scanpst.exe

Outlook-inbox-repair: How to Open OST File in Outlook

Location of OST Files within Distinct Windows OS

Windows 7/Vista:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Ost-file

Note: If any folder is hidden with OST or entire OST is hidden then, make it approachable with:
Start -> Computer -> Organize -> Folder and search -> View tab -> modify the mode of disable
"Show hidden files, folders, and drives" to the enable mode.

Windows XP:

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

If your Windows XP account is also running with some settings to make certain folders and files hidden then, OST folders or files may have the same issue, steps to make non-visible folders and files visible are given here:

  • Start Menu -> My Computer -> Tools -> Folder -> View tab -> "Show hidden files and folders" to enable the option
  • Under Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair -> Start
  • The tool will scan the data within OST file and you will get a report after scanning
  • Follow "Repair" tab
  • Finish the process by single click in OK tab
  • When the repair operation gets finish then, three folders will be there after that keep distinct data items. You can open OST files after recovery within:

filename.bak: The backup data of your damaged or inaccessible OST file that can be opened after converting .bak extension to .pst.

filename.log: The log documentation file for recovery operation executed by scanpst.exe.

filename.ost: The file that contains repaired data for OST files.

In this way, Inbox Repair tool helps to repair and open OST files after Outlook crash scenarios. But if you wont be able to resolve the issues then the user can use OST File Recovery to recover OST mailbox data items easily.

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