How to Fix Outlook is Using an Old Copy of Your Outlook Data File?

Is your Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook data file (.ost)? If your Outlook is showing the same error then discover the solutions here to simplify it immediately. This article explores various ways to and effective strategies to fix Outlook is using an old copy of your OST problem via simple steps.

Many times it happens whenever users try to open an Outlook OST file, an error message emerges on the screen “Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook data file”. It means that your Outlook OST files might get corrupted because of improper synchronization or several other reasons.

This situation irritates you when you cannot access the Outlook mailbox items. Well, you do not need to dishearten because the solution to this issue is very straightforward. And, in this write-up, we will explain the top-notch techniques to fix Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook .ost file error message.

• Reasons of Outlook is Using an Old Copy of OST Error
• Quick Solution to Resolve Outlook OST File Error
• Solution 1: Delete OST File to Fix Outlook OST Error Message
• Solution 2: Use Outlook Inbuilt Utility to Fix Outlook OST Error
• An Alternate Solution to Make OST File Healthy
• Author’s Suggestion

Reasons of Outlook is Using an Old Copy of OST Error

• Corrupt or damaged Outlook data file is one of the most primary reasons for this error.
• Changes of OST file location or moved without updating Outlook settings.
• Problems with synchronizing data between OST file and mail server.
• Your Outlook data file (.ost) has grown too large.

Quick Solution to Resolve Outlook OST File Error

The best way to troubleshoot this Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook OST file error is by changing it’s format and making it’s data accessible. There are several methods to fix this error, but if you are looking for an immediate solution then we will suggest you to take help of OST to PST Converter tool. Through this solution, you can also get a backup of your Outlook OST file to prevent any loss or file corruption.

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Solution 1: Delete OST File to Fix Outlook OST Error Message

The first step to fix Outlook is using an old copy of OST file error message is to delete the OST files that are corrupted. But, before deleting OST files, you need to unhide the files. Version to version, the unhiding process is different. First, let’s discuss the process to find out the hidden file for Windows 7 and Windows 10. Then, we will tell you how to delete the corrupted OST file from Outlook.

Note: – Your existing OST file not working properly and showing error. Very first solution is to perform, recrate OST file. But it requires to have Exchange Server and Outlook in healthy state. Also, your Offline data will be erased.

Step 1: Make Visible OST Files

For Windows 7:

1. Click on the Start button and go to the File menu.
2. Then, select the Organize option >> Folder.
3. Now, click on the Search options >> Move to View tab.
4. Select the option of Show hidden files, folders, and drivers.
5. Uncheck the option of Hiding extensions for known file types.
6. Finally, select the OK option to fix Outlook is using an old copy in Windows 7.

For Windows 10:

1. First, launch the File, Explorer.
2. Then, select the View option.
3. Finally, choose the File name extensions and Hidden Items.

Step 2: Delete The Visible OST Files

After following the above-discussed steps, the OST file will be visible. Now, you can go through these instructions to delete the OST file for fixing Outlook is using an old copy of your data file in Outlook 2019 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003 version:

1. At first, go to the Computer or File Explorer Window.
2. Then, go to
   C:\Users\(your login name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
3. Then, delete the files with extension as .ost.
4. Make sure you are not deleting any PST file of Outlook.
5. Then, restart your Microsoft Outlook application.

Once you delete the OST file in which the error was arising, you need to recreate an OST file again. Then, the problem “Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook data file (.ost)” has been resolved. In case, it still arises, you need to move towards the next resolution technique.

Solution 2: Use Outlook Inbuilt Utility to Fix Outlook OST Error

If the error statement “Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook data file (.ost) from 2013, 2016 and below editions” encounters, there are chances that the OST file is corrupted or damaged. In this situation, Microsoft Outlook provides an inbuilt utility that is called “scanpst.exe”. It tries to repair the corrupted OST file and resolve the error message. But, it can only repair minor corruption. If you have a majorly corrupted OST file, then you should opt for an alternate solution.

Note: – There is not any third party utility available to fix Outlook is using an old OST file error. Instead of fixing this issue you can save your data into other format like PST. Use below mentioned step to secure your data.

An Alternate Solution to Make OST File Healthy

As we discussed in the above section, the SysTools OST Converter Tool is one of the best effective solutions to extract data from OST in a healthy format.

Generally, it is difficult to recover emails from OST files one by one, if the OST file is too large. But, with the help of the third-party tool, you can recover any number of defective Outlook OST files without any hurdle.

Author’s Suggestion

All possible solutions listed for How to fix, Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook data file OST in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, etc. This is one of the main errors which arises when the OST file becomes corrupted and inaccessible.

Hence, this post has given various workarounds to fix this error message. Hope these solutions will help you to fix the issue. But according to my personal experience, you should create a healthy PST file first and then perform all the listed steps.