3 Effective ways to Change location of Outlook data file (OST and PST)

Microsoft Outlook is a feasible Email management tool that is programmed to work on two types of storage files. Personal Storage Table (PST) and Offline storage table (OST). PST data is stored on the client’s hard disk. Whereas, OST stores data offline on Microsoft Servers and also allows the user to make changes offline and synchronize the changes online when connected back to the internet.

PST file is the personal storage table that contains your messages, calendar, reminder, and other Outlook items and is saved on your computer. Whereas the OST file records all the changes from on your profile offline and directly synchronizes the information while connected to the network

Can you Change the Location of the Outlook Data file?

Yes, with this guide you can effortlessly migrate your Outlook data file to a preferred location. You can easily migrate your Outlook data file to a preferred location. Here in the below section, you learn how to locate and how change outlook data file location effortlessly. Read more to know the hassle-free solutions below

Note - It’s not recommended to change the default location of the OST file if you are not well acquainted with the configuring Outlook. When you are playing with Outlook settings you are putting your important data into risk, do follow the methods mentioned below precisely to relocate your Outlook Data file.

How to Change Outlook Data file Location?

Due to some unforeseen circumstances if you encounter scenarios like lack of storage space in the drive, non-synchronization of OST file while connected to the internet, or if you want to migrate the location of your Outlook Data file for any personal reasons, click on the below-listed table to navigate to your preferred section

• Change the location of the PST file due to lack of Storage space
• Migrate the location of OST file which is not synchronizing issue
• Create a new profile then change the location of .ost file
• Move the location of Outlook Data files with Remo OBM

Changing the location of your Outlook Data file can be a real pain. Manually changing the position without a thorough understanding of the entire procedure is also problematic. Any mistakes made while transferring the OST and PST files may result in the loss of your Outlook data. 

This is why we recommend using Remo's robust Outlook migration tool. The Remo Outlook backup and migrate application can easily move the Outlook data file to the appropriate location and offers a simple user interface that makes the migration procedure straightforward. 

How to Change the Location of the PST Outlook Data File Manually?

To begin changing the location of your PST file, you will need to find the current location of your .pst file. Below you can find information about the storage path of the Outlook data file(PST) according to the Outlook version. You can begin by navigating through by clicking on “File” at the top left corner of your Outlook application and then choosing according to the version of Outlook as shown below.

Locating the .pst File

The below-mentioned steps will allow you how to access your Personal storage table with ease

1. Outlook 2007

File-> Data File Management.

2. Outlook 2010 / 2013 / 2016 / 2019 / Office 365

File-> Info-> Account Settings-> Accounts Settings.

3. After following the above steps, you will be able to see a tab. Click on the “Data files” tab to access your Outlook data files.
   
4. Open your Outlook data file and click on the option saying “Open file Location”
5. After this, you can change the location of your Outlook data file (.pst) to your desired location

Alternative Method: This strategy is applicable to POP3 and IMAP accounts.

• Close Outlook first, then check that it is not shown in the Task Manager's Processes tab a few minutes later.
• Open the profile (Control Panel > Mail) and then click on Data files.
• Select the account and then click Open File Location to open the PST folder in Windows Explorer.
• Exit the Account Settings window.
• Place the PST where you want it. POP3 accounts can rename their PST files. (The default name for .pst files created by Outlook for email accounts is [email protected])
• Reopen the Data Files window and double-click on the data file for the account.
• You will now see a 'can't find data file' error message, such as this: The file C:UsersusernameDocumentsOutlook [email protected] (POP3).The file pst cannot be found. After clicking OK, you can tell Outlook where to look for it.
• You can now restart Outlook after closing the dialogues.

Migrate PST file using Windows Registry

1. First, close Outlook if it is running, else make sure it is not open. Then, hit the start button
2. Type Regedit and press Enter.
3. This will open the Registry Editor and agree to make changes to the computer.
4. Navigate to one of the below-mentioned keys based on the Outlook version you are using.
   Outlook 2007: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\
   2010: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\
   2013: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\
   Outlook 2016: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\
5. After selecting, you have to enter a new value to the Outlook Key.
6. Right-click the Outlook button

Terminate and restart the Outlook application. Outlook allows you to browse to the new desired location. Once you select and browse, you will be changing the location of your Outlook Data File permanently.

Use ForceOSTPath Registry Entry

Note: This method contains instructions for modifying the registry. However, if you edit the registry wrong, major issues may arise. As a result, make certain that you properly follow these measures. Back up the registry before making any changes for extra security. If an issue arises, you can then restore the register. 

To alter the location of the.ost file, create the ForceOSTPath registry entry as follows:

• Choose Start, Run, put regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
• Find and select the registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xx.0\Outlook
• Right-click Outlook and choose New, then Expandable String Value.
• Modify ForceOSTPath by right-clicking it.
• In the Value data box, enter the complete path to where you wish to save the .ost file (for example, D:MyOST), and then click OK.
• Exit Registry Editor by selecting Exit from the File menu.

Tip -  Sharing a network of PST files is not recommended because PST files are sensitive files that are prone to corruption easily.  In order to repair a PST, you need the help of an inbuilt Microsoft repair tool scanPST.exe or a reliable third-party application like Remo PST repair.

How to Change the Location of the OST Outlook Data File Manually?

Are you wondering how to change the OST location? In the section below you will learn the hassle-free method on how to move ost file from c to d drive or any storage spaces of your preference

The OST file on your hard drive is responsible for saving all the work progress you have done when offline. Changing the location of your OST file is a bit tricky as it involves making changes in the registry, especially for Outlook 2013 and later versions. However, you will be able to change the pathway of the file by following the steps mentioned below.

Locating the .ost File

1. Make sure that Outlook 2016 is closed and the OST files are not opened in any other program/software.
2. Go to “Run” and type “Regedit“on it
   
3. Navigate to Outlook 16 and right-click on Outlook Name. You will get an option saying expandable strings.
   
4. Rename the Expandable strings as “ForceOSTPath”, and then double click on it. On the” Edit String” dialog, enter your desired path under the ”Value data” box and then click OK. This will change the old/default location of the Outlook 2016 data file (.OST) to the new location.

Note: By following both the above manual methods, you will be able to change the location of the Outlook Data File. As this process involves making changes to the registry errors, it is recommended that you follow the above steps with utmost caution. if you wondering how Fix Error Code 0xc0000005, click here

If you lose your Outlook contacts while changing the location of your PST file, you can know how to recover contacts from outlook by going through the mentioned article.

Why you Need not Move OST file to new Computer

You need not move your OST file to another computer to use Outlook there. When you add your account to Outlook there and enable Cached Exchange Mode, a new OST file is created where you can get all your data.

Also, there is no need of keeping backups for OST files as Exchange can create them afresh. However, after Exchange Server disasters and crashes, one can recover their mailbox data and convert OST to PST files easily

Create a New Profile then Change the Location of .ost File

• Open Control Panel
• Once you access the Control Panel, search for Mail item.