How to Delete and Recreate OST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007

The OST file is located on your computer's hard drive and it acts as a local copy that saves changes made on Outlook in the absence of internet connectivity by enabling the cached exchange mode. Since the OST file is comprised of emails, settings, reminders, etc. it is important for the OST file to sync with the exchange server to reflect the changes you made offline. 

Hence recovering emails from an OST file can be tricky if the OST file turns inaccessible. In this Write up you will learn how to delete and recreate outlook ost file and lastly recovering emails from offline storage table (OST) using various safe and trusted methods.

Is it Safe to Delete Outlook OST File?

Generally, it is recommended to delete the OST file when it is corrupt or inaccessible. Deleting Outlook OST file has its own merits and demerits. The one big advantage of deleting the OST file is that it helps you create a new healthy OST file. Since the newly created OST file contains the existing data, this process of deleting and recreating OST file can also be considered a way to repair OST file. But sometimes, deleting the OST file can have bad consequences. 

Why Deleting and Recreating OST file is not Suggested?

Manually deleting and resetting OST file is always complicated and riskier compared to the reliable method using Remo Convert OST to PST tool. 

Recovering emails from OST file by deleting and recreating the OST file has some disadvantages. For example, deleting OST cannot download the OST file data which was not synced to the Exchange server. This means any data you have added to it such as emails, contacts, etc. before its corruption will not be recoverable. Hence, it can lead to losing emails along with all the other data on the Outlook OST file.

Always make use of Remo Convert OST to PST software to recover Outlook data such as emails, calendar, reminders, contacts, etc. safely without deleting and recreating Outlook OST file.

(Quick Note: Move on to the second method to access OST file data without deleting and recreating OST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2010, 2007, etc.)

A Reliable method to Delete and Recreate OST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007

Can Deleting and Recreating OST file help you recover Outlook emails?

Yes, you can recover emails from corrupt OST file after deleting and recreating it. If your OST file is inaccessible or corrupt. Then, let’s dive right into the complete guide to delete and rebuild OST file Outlook 2016, 2019, 2013, 2007 and other versions to recover emails safely.

How to Delete OST file?

Important Note: Make sure you have taken a backup of your OST file before deleting it to avoid permanent data loss. And also make sure you have closed the Microsoft Outlook application.

Follow the steps to delete and recreate OST file to access emails and other Outlook data.

1. Click Window key + R to open Run box.
2. Copy and Paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook in Run box and then, click OK button.
   
   
3. This will take you to the OST data file location.
4. Now, Locate and Right-click on the corrupt OST file which you want to delete
   
5. Click the Delete option.
   
   

Note: Now, by Opening your Microsoft Outlook application, the Exchange server automatically recreates OST file if no synchronization issue exists.

How to Recreate OST file in Outlook?

Follow the steps to recreate OST File:

1. Open Microsoft Outlook and click the File tab.
2. Select the Info option and click Account Settings.
3. In the Account Settings window, select the Email tab and select Microsoft Exchange. 
4. Now, the system will display the Change Email Account, click the More Settings button.
5. In the Microsoft Exchange window, select Advanced and click Offline Folder File Settings.
6. Type the path of the OST file in the File field and click OK. 
7. The system names the OST file as Outlook.ost.
   Note: If any file with the same name exists, then it will prompt for a new file name.
8. Click OK, and then click Finish.

After performing the above method, the system will recreate the OST file after both Outlook and the Server are synced.

How to Access Outlook Emails without Deleting and Recreating OST file?

Make use of Remo Convert OST to PST software to safely access the OST file data into PST format. Easily recover emails from OST file outlook without rebuilding or recreating the OST file and even transfer Outlook to new computer. 

By converting the OST file to PST file using Remo software, you can easily access emails, attachments, calendar, contacts, notes, most importantly folder structure, composed emails, rules, and all other OST attributes. Download Remo Convert OST to PST software now!

Recover emails by Converting Corrupt OST file to PST file

Follow the steps to convert corrupt OST file into healthy PST file and access your complete Outlook data.

1. Download and launch Remo Convert OST to PST software.
2. Select Find OST File option and in the next screen, click the Find button to automatically locate your corrupt OST file.
   
   
3. Now click on your corrupt OST file and click the Next option.
   
   
4. Click the Browse button to select the destination path to save the converted PST file.
   
   
5. Click Convert option to successfully convert OST file to PST file.

After performing the above steps, you can import the converted PST file into your Outlook account to access all your emails, contacts, calendar, reminders, attachments, and many more.

Some of the Common causes of OST Corruption or Damage

• Severe virus infection.
• Bad sectors in the hard drive.
• Improper termination of Outlook.
• Issues or breakdowns while synchronizing the OST data file with the Exchange server data.
• Insufficient storage space, and many more.

Conclusion: 

If there is no synchronization problem existing between your OST file and Microsoft Exchange Server then, deleting and recreating the OST file can help you access emails. However, if the OST file is severely corrupt then, the only way to recover your emails or Outlook data is by converting OST file to PST file using the Remo Convert OST to PST tool.