Changing location of Outlook Data file can be done automatically using tools like Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate. You can also do it manually using the Windows Registry or creating a new profile and changing the file location.
These solutions to change your Outlook data file location are explained in detail in this article.
Note—It’s not recommended to change the default location of the OST file if you are not well acquainted with configuring Outlook. When you play with Outlook settings, you are putting your important data at risk. Do follow the methods mentioned below precisely to relocate your Outlook Data file.
How to Move Outlook Data Files with Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate?
Extracting an Outlook profile and manually moving it to another location or a higher Outlook version is quite challenging and risky.
Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool is an exclusive program designed to smooth Outlook migration without hassle.
Are you tired of manually changing the location of the Outlook data file to your desired location? This tiresome process is also equally risky, and it could lead to data loss or corruption.
Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate is a feasible tool for relocating and backing up your Outlook files. With just a few clicks, you can effortlessly protect and export your personal Outlook files.
- This backup and Migrate utility tool can help you transfer Outlook to new computer and back them up.
- The tool provides two customized backup options, which are Smart backup and Advanced backup
- Smart Backup—This option allows the user to back up all Outlook attributes.
- Advanced Backup—This customized option allows the user to select and back up the required files and attributes of their choice.
- The tool can securely migrate data files from a lower to a higher version of Outlook. It also ensures that Outlook files can be securely relocated from one location to another or exported to another PC effortlessly.
Change the Location of the Outlook Data File using Remo
Steps to Change the Location of Outlook Data File
Step 1. Open Remo Backup and Migrate Software and click on Migrate.
Step 2. Select the backup file by clicking on Browse and click on Next.
Step 3. Select the Outlook items you want to migrate on the next screen and click Next.
Step 4. The Tool will start the Outlook Migration process. After the process is completed, you can click on View Report to see the list of Outlook items Migrated.
Using Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate you have safely backed up your original Outlook data files (both OST and PST files) and moved them to a different location.
But, if you want to change the Outlook data file location manually. Then, you can try the solutions mentioned below.
Manually Change the Outlook PST File Location
To begin changing the Outlook PST file location, you will need to find the current location of your .pst file. Below is information about the Outlook data file(PST) storage path 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.
Part 1: Locating the .pst File
The below-mentioned steps will allow you how to access your Personal storage table with ease
Outlook 2007 –
File-> Data File Management.
Outlook 2010 / 2013 / 2016 / 2019 / Office 365
File-> Info-> Account Settings-> Accounts Settings.
1. After following the above steps, you will see a tab. Click on the “Data files” tab to access your Outlook files.
2. Open your Outlook data file and click on the option saying “Open file Location”
3. After this, you can change the location of your Outlook data file (.pst) to your desired location
Alternative Method: This strategy applies to POP3 and IMAP accounts.
- First, Close Outlook, 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 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[@]address.pst.)
- 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 Filesemail[@]domain.com (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.
Once you are done with locating your PST file, We can now move on to migrating.
Part 2: Migrate PST file
There are 2 ways to migrate your PST file from one location to another-
- Method 1: Migrate the PST file using the Windows Registry
- Method 2: Use ForceOSTPath Registry Entry
Method 1: Migrate the PST file using the Windows Registry
1. First, close Outlook if it is running; ensure 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 must enter a new Outlook Key value.
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 permanently change the location of your Outlook Data File.
Method 2: 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, ensure that you properly follow these measures and 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 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. 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.
I am sure you have now moved or changed the location of your Outlook PST files. If you want to move your Outlook OST file, try the solutions mentioned below.
Change Outlook OST File Location Manually
Are you wondering how to change the OST location? In the section below, you will learn hassle-free methods 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. It involves making changes to the registry. However, you can change the file’s pathway by following the steps mentioned below.
There are 2 parts to this process-
- Part 1: Locating the .ost File
- Part 2: Create a New Profile, then Change the Location of the .ost File
Part 1: Locating the .ost File
1. Ensure 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. In the” Edit String” dialog, enter your desired path under the ”Value data” box and 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 can 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 to Fix Error Code 0xc0000005, click here
If you lose your Outlook contacts while changing the location of your PST file, this article will tell you how to recover contacts from Outlook.
Now, let’s proceed to change the location of your OST file.
Part 2: Create a New Profile, then Change the Location of the .ost File
- Open Control Panel.
- Once you access the Control Panel, search for Mail.
- Note – If there are two Mail items, choose the one labeled with your version of Outlook.
- After you have done this, click on Show Profile
- and then Add.
- At the Profile Name box, type the user name you wish to use for the new email profile, and click OK.
- Select Next.
- After Outlook finishes setting up your account, click the Change account settings option and then click Next.
- In the Server Settings section, Click on the More Settings option.
- On the Advanced tab, Click Outlook Data File Settings.
- Select Browse, then click Open. If you wish to create a new .ost file, browse to the location where you want to save it, type the file name you want to use, and hit Open. Outlook will create the new .ost file.
Also Read: Highly recommended migration tools for you
Conclusion
The above article emphasizes how to change the location of the Outlook data file. If you have any further queries regarding the article, make use of the comment section below.
