How to Recreate OST file in Microsoft Outlook 2007/ 2010/ 2013/ 2016/2019

If users are not able to preserve their current OST files with Microsoft Outlook, they will need to rebuild or recreate their OST files if they cannot restore the original database. OST files can be recreated by downloading a copy of Exchange mailbox items again. This blog will work on Microsoft Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007.

Also known as Offline Storage Table file, the OST file is created by Outlook to store copies of emails from the Exchange server. In this way, if the users cannot connect to the Internet for some reason, they can continue working on their mailboxes in Cache mode. When the connection to the Internet resumes, the OST file is synchronized with the mail server and the changes are uploaded.

The OST file is fairly important. With an extendible capacity of up to 50 GB, users can save as much data as they wish to access while being offline. It also helps to recover lost mailboxes in case there is any damage to the Exchange server. Depending on the version of the Windows operating system, the OST file is stored in different locations. Check this blog to know, the location of the OST file in your system.

Although the benefits of the OST file are remarkable, there are quite a few disadvantages too. For instance, if your account profile has been compromised, the OST file will be of no use, and recovering OST file it would be futile. And if the OST file itself becomes damaged; its recovery process can be very time-consuming.

Primary Reasons behind OST file damage

There are multiple reasons for an OST file to get corrupted. And once this happens, they become completely unreadable. The following are some of the hardware as well as software reasons that could corrupt an OST file:

• A power outage during the synchronization of the files
• Unclean termination of a session in Microsoft Outlook
• The storage files have reached their capacity
• A virus in the system
• Network issues during the synchronization of the files
• Bad sectors in the hard drive
• Issues and bugs in the Microsoft Outlook application
• Issues and bugs in the storage device

You can read this article to repair corrupt Outlook OST file

How to recreate OST file Manually

Depending upon the Outlook version you are using, the process to recreate or rebuild the OST file is different.

Recreate OST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013 and 2010

1. Launch Outlook, and click File -> Info -> Account Settings.
2. In the Account Settings window, select the E-mail tab and select Microsoft Exchange. The system displays the Change E-mail Account
3. Click the More Settings
4. In the Microsoft Exchange window, select ‘Advanced’
5. Click Offline Folder File Settings.
6. In the File field, type the path of the OST file.
7. Click OK. The system names the OST file as Outlook.ost. If a file with the same name already exists in the system, you will be prompted for a new file name.
8. Click OK, and then click Finish.

The system recreates or rebuilds the OST file in 2019,2016,2013,2010

Recreate OST file in Outlook 2007

1. Launch Outlook, and click Tools -> Account Settings.
2. In the Account Settings window, select the E-mail tab and select Microsoft Exchange. The system displays the Change E-mail Account
3. Click the More Settings
4. In the Microsoft Exchange window, select the ‘Advanced’
5. Click Offline Folder File Settings.
6. In the File field, type the path of the OST file.
7. Click OK. The system names the OST file as Outlook.ost. If a file with the same name already exists in the system, you will be prompted for a new file name.
8. Click OK, and then click Finish.

The system recreates the OST file in Outlook 2007.

Recreate OST file in Outlook 2003

1. Launch Outlook, and click Tools -> E-mail Accounts. The system displays the E-mail Accounts
2. Under the E-mail section, select the View or change existing e-mail accounts
3. Do not select an option under the Directory
4. Click Next.
5. Under the Outlook processes e-mail for these accounts in the following order: section, select Microsoft Exchange Server.
6. Click Change.
7. In the next window, click More Settings and select the ‘Advanced’
8. Select the Offline Folder File Settings
9. In the File field, type the path of the OST file.
10. Click OK. The system names the OST file as Outlook.ost. If a file with the same name already exists in the system, you will be prompted for a new file name.
11. Click OK -> Next, and then click Finish.

The system recreates the OST file in Outlook 2003.

Manual methods while being free of cost can often be full of risks. They can also tend to get complicated easily. Thus, a better alternative to  rebuild the OST file in Outlook is by converting it to PST format. The best tool for converting OST file to PST format is OST to PST Converter by Stellar. Not only does this competent tool convert OST file into a usable PST file that can be directly imported into Outlook, but it also extracts all mailbox data from OST files and saves it within the newly created PST. If you are in need of OST to PST conversion, giving this tool a go would be a wise decision. You can check the following Review of Stellar Converter for OST.

What’s our MVP take on OST to PST Converter tool from Stellar.

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