The following steps for creating the OAB File list in Exchange system Manager those are discussed below:
Generally, Outlook will update OAB file format automatically for Exchange profiles at once in every 24 hours. In case, if it cannot or even when users have latest OAB file extension then, users allow to update it manually from within the Outlook as well. Moreover, if the updated mechanism becomes fail, it could be due to corruption in users OAB files or in mail account. In that situation, users allow to reset it entirely by deleting the files making up OAB file extension or by recreating the user's email profile.
Update OAB file format from Outlook
Instead of waiting 24 hours for Outlook to reset the OAB file format on its own, users able force to update through Send/Receive button.
For Outlook 2007 and previous version
- Go to Tools and click on Send/Receive option.
- Then, Press Download Address Book.
For Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016 users
- First, choose to Send/Receive and click on Send/Receive Groups.
- After that, click on Download Address Book.
Also, users can disable the "Download changes since last Send/receive" option to make sure users have a new copy of the OAB file format.
In Outlook 2010 and its previous version, to enable the 'Full Details' option. In Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016, this option will no longer available as full details, which are used to build the contact card.
Deleting OAB Files
Next solution, make sure that users will get a new copy of the OAB file extension by renaming the OAB file format with old when the MS Outlook is closed.They are saved in the following path:
Windows XP users
C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\
Windows Vista, windows 7, Windows 8 7 Windows 10 users
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
When users are using Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013 or Outlook 2016 then, he will get a folder named as OAB that itself holds the subfolders along with name after account GUIDs. When users want to configure several Exchange accounts then, they will find a particular folder for each profile that they have. The easiest and quickest method is to rename them:
Offline address book folder appends .old behind it.
Even when users are using Outlook 2007 or its earlier edition, they have to rename the separated OAB files. Those are mentioned below:
- uanrdex.oab
- ubrowse.oab
- udetails.oab
- urdndex.oab
- utmplsts.oab
- updndex.oab
After removing the files, make sure users have to manually trigger an update from Outlook as covered in above section.
NOTE: The "u" stands for "Unicode". If you are still utilizing the Outlook 2002/XP or the earlier version, then, the file names cannot be prefixed with a "u" as Offline address book(OAB) files are stored in ANSI format.
General Queries About What Is OAB File
The MIME type of OAB file extension is:
application/octet-strea
The default location of OAB file extension is:
For Windows Vista/7/8/10
--->\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
For Windows XP/Server 2003
--->\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
OAB file stands for Offline address book containing names, email addresses and other information related to the contact name for Outlook application. The OAB file is supported by Outlook express, Outlook 2010 and 2016. Hence, one can easily open OAB file in it.
A user is capable to retrieve the relevant information from local OAB(Offline Address Book) files. And can extract OAB File to multiple file formats.
Conclusion
OAB(Offline Address Book) file are the most significant Outlook Address Book containing names, email addresses and other information related to the contact for Outlook email client. We have discussed about What is OAB file format. Understanding the various aspects of the file, we have presented the entire information to let the users understand what is OAB file extension and its specification details. Also, we have discussed how to create Offline address book manually.
