How to Reset OST File in MS Outlook? Step-by-Step Methods
Summary: Discover how to reset OST file effortlessly with the most effective ways. If you are encountering issues with your OST file then fear not. This guide will outline multiple methods with step-by-step instructions to rebuild OST file. Get the expert insights and top troubleshooting tips to fix all the OST file errors and improve Outlook performance of all versions including 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010.
There are numerous reasons that can result in abnormal functionality of IMAP configured Outlook profile. In these cases resting the current OST file is the very first solution that users prefer. In this post, we will explain every aspect to reset OST files.
Users always receive data items frequently so, their Outlook mailbox keeps on growing enormously. Microsoft Outlook keeps all mailbox data in two files one is .pst and the other is .ost. Users tries to reset OST file as the OST file comprises everything users generate or receive since the creation of the Outlook account. The primary function of this offline folder file is to reduce the payload of the Exchange Server, cut down the network traffic, and allow users to work without Exchange availability.
However, there are several factors that may cause accidental OST file deletion, damage, and corruption because of which a user need to rebuild OST file. Also, sometimes Outlook.ost goes into an inconsistent state, and after that users become unable to access its content. In all these conditions, the Microsoft Outlook program starts behaving abnormally and generates several conflicts for users. In order to recreate .ost file, one can reset OST file.
Tip: It is recommended that before deleting Outlook OST files, take updated backup of the database. It is so because once .ost file gets deleted then, all the changes done in offline mode will be lost and it will rebuild OST File after that. For a secure OST backup, one can use the software to convert OST file to PST and archive the data of Offline Storage table.
Reasons Behind OST File Issues
There several reasons that can prohibit you from accessing your OST file, making them damaged or corrupt and forcing you to reset OST files:
- Sudden power outage, disk errors and storage device features.
- Software issues like bugs, viruses and malware attacks in Outlook.
- Interruption during the synchronization of OST files.
- Another reason to rebuild OST file is, large or oversized Outlook OST file.
- Forceful closure of Outlook or system crashes without properly closing the OST file.
- Unstable error or interruption during data transfer.
How to Reset OST File and Fix Issues?
If your Outlook OST is behaving anomalously then, you need to delete it and recreate OST files to enhance the performance of your Outlook application. Steps to rebuild OST files depend upon the version of MS Outlook you are working with. Opt for the solution according to your Microsoft Outlook version.
Note: Resetting the OST files may take a longer time for the large-size mailbox. It also requires active Internet and IMAP/Exchange server connection.
Steps to Delete and Rebuild OST File
Deleting OST File is very simple if you know where this file is saved. Just navigate to the location of OST and delete it. However, if you want to recreate OST file after deletion but don’t know where the OST file is saved then, follow the down-mentioned steps:
Note: The default location of the OST file is different in all versions of Outlook.
- Close Outlook (if open) to reset OST file on your PC.
- Open Run Window or simply press ‘Windows + R’ keys.
- In the Run window, type “%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\” and click on OK.
- This command will Automatically Detect the Location of the OST File from any version of Outlook.
- Choose the OST File and delete it via pressing the Delete key.
Recreate OST File for Same Outlook Profile
- If using Outlook 2010 then, click on the Tools menu to reset OST file. But, if you have Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021 then, click on File >> Info.
- Click on Account Settings and hit a double click on Microsoft Exchange to rebuild OST file here.
- In the Settings wizard, go to More Settings and click on the Advanced tab to reset the OST file.
- Now, select Offline Folder File Setting (in MS Outlook 2013, hit a click on Offline Data File Setting).
- Browse a Location to Save Outlook.ost File and click on the OK button.
- If you are getting the following error message then, click on OK
“.ost could not be found. Would you like to create it?” - Eventually, to end the process click on OK >> Finish.
Reset OST File for The Outlook 2003, 2000
- If using Outlook 2003 or 2000 then, go to the Tools menu and click on E-mail Account.
- Click on View or Change Existing Mail Account >> Next.
- Locate Outlook process email for those accounts in the following order wizard and hit a click on Microsoft Exchange Server >> Change.
- Next, click on More Settings and choose the Advanced tab to rebuild OST file.
- Click on Offline Folder File Settings to recreate OST file for Outlook.
- In the File section, select a location where you want to save the OST file and hit a click on OK.
- If the following error prompt occurs then, simply hit the OK button
“ .ost could not be found. Would you like to create it?” - Finally, click on Next >> Finish to reset OST file successfully.
Make sure that Outlook is connected to Microsoft Exchange Server for synchronization of OST files.
Author’s Suggestion
Manual method is a free solution to reset OST file, but it includes some serious risks with it, such as permanent data loss. Therefore, we recommend always making a backup before you rebuild OST file in Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019,and 2021. So, use OST Recovery Software to take a backup OST file’s items such as Emails, Contacts, Calendars, Tasks, Journals, etc., into PST format.
Concluding Lines
Today, several Microsoft Outlook users are searching the solution for the same query on how to reset OST file with easy step. Thus, to rebuild OST file, we are here with this technical paper. Here, we have disclosed some easy and actually working techniques to recreate OST files.