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Summary: OST files in Outlook serve as local copies, enabling offline access. Cached Exchange Mode downloads mailbox items locally. Exchange administrators use OST files to recover mailboxes in various scenarios, aided by tools like Kernel for OST to PST Converter for efficient recovery and file splitting.

OST files, known as Offline Outlook data files, serve as local copies of Outlook emails stored on a user’s machine. The advantage of an OST file lies in its ability to grant access to these emails even when there is no internet connectivity, thanks to its function as a local mailbox copy.

Introduction to Outlook Cached Mode

When configuring your MS Outlook with an Exchange or Office 365 account, you’re presented with the option to enable Cached Exchange mode. Enabling this mode involves downloading a copy of mailbox items to your local system. Additionally, when enabling Cached Exchange mode, you have the option to specify the synchronization time frame in months

How to enable Cached Exchange Mode in MS Outlook?

Enabling Cached Exchange Mode is a straightforward process. Follow the steps below (using MS Outlook):

  1. Open MS Outlook and click File > Account Settings > Account Settings.Account Settings
  2. Select the already configured account and then choose Change.change configured account
  3. In this wizard, you have the option to check or uncheck Cached Exchange Mode and choose the time (months) on the slider as per your requirement.Uncheck Cached Exchange Mode
  4. Once you are done, then click the Finish button.Finish the process

How can OST files be useful in restoring Exchange user mailboxes?

In addition to facilitating offline work, offline Outlook Data (OST) files offer various other valuable uses. Exchange administrators can rely on them to recover deleted or missing user mailboxes. Furthermore, they prove beneficial in several other scenarios, such as:

  • Exchange Server has crashed
  • The Exchange Server is under maintenance

In all these scenarios, Exchange administrators convert the OST files on the user systems into PST files to recover the user mailboxes.

If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned issues related to Exchange, it is advisable to utilize a third-party OST to PST converter tool to convert OST files into PST format. Kernel for OST to PST Converter is an exceptional tool designed to handle even damaged OST files with efficiency. This OST to PST Converter software conducts comprehensive OST recovery without compromising the originality or structure of the mailbox data. In cases where your OST file is oversized or damaged, you have the option to convert it to PST and split it into smaller, independent PST chunks.

Kernel for OST to PST