OST File Corruption Reasons and Solutions

Read time 5 minutes

It’s no surprise that Outlook data files on your system can unexpectedly expand at any moment. When you work offline, your emails are saved locally on your devices, including the offline storage folders (yes, you read that correctly).

Outlook employs an offline folder file (OST file) to enable users to work offline, even in cases where the Outlook program loses connection with the MS Exchange Server. The OST file serves as a synchronized copy, containing cached Outlook items from the mailbox stored on your server. The default location for the OST file is typically found at: drive:\Users\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.

Corruption frequently arises in Outlook data files when the system experiences unfavorable conditions.

Instant Solution

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Native Solutions to Fix OST Corruption Problems

This method permits the modification of folder properties (to remove offline items) for resolving inaccessible OST File problems. Follow the instructions below for MS Outlook 2010:

1. Right-click the folder and click Properties.
2. When the dialog box appears, click the ‘Clear Offline Items’ option under this dialog box.
3. Click Ok.
4. Now, click Send/Receive option in Outlook.
5. Click Update Folder to save the changes.

The Inbox Repair tool, known as scanpst.exe, is a cost-free solution provided by Microsoft Outlook for addressing minor issues in Exchange OST and PST files. It enables users to scan and repair OST files on Exchange Server and MS Outlook. This built-in tool assists users in manually resolving minor corruption problems within OST files.

You can utilize the Inbox Repair tool to rectify errors in OST and PST files in the more recent versions of MS Outlook.

Free solutions come with certain restrictions, such as:

• Able to fix only minor corruption problems.
• No safety assurance while recovering the data.
• Have to run multiple times to repair the file
• Will not work with large OST files

Microsoft Exchange Server employs an offline data file (OST), which is essentially a copy of the information stored on the email server. If you encounter problems with the OST file, you have the option to delete the existing file and recreate (download) it from the server. Nevertheless, exercise caution when using this ‘Re-create OST file’ procedure, and only do so if your OST file is no longer functional. It’s important to note that there is a risk of losing any unsaved data during this process.

A large-sized OST file can lead to various issues, including OST corruption and sluggish Outlook performance. Simply deleting some items may not effectively reduce the file size. When you delete an item from an Outlook folder, it typically moves to the ‘Deleted Items Folder,’ where it still occupies space. Permanently deleting the item from the ‘Deleted Items Folder’ means losing the item permanently. An alternative approach is to compact the OST file. OST file items are stored in a way that may result in them occupying additional space that cannot be used for other purposes. Compacting OST files helps reclaim the extra space they occupy.

Launching Outlook in safe mode is a way to disable any add-ins that could potentially cause errors during the startup process. This enables you to work in a secure environment without the risk of corrupted files or add-ins. To open MS Outlook in safe mode, simply use the following command: ‘outlook.exe /safe.

At times, you may encounter issues with programs like Outlook due to antivirus software and firewall settings, which are designed to scan and detect problems with incoming and outgoing emails. In such cases, you can attempt to resolve the issue by temporarily disabling the antivirus settings and other firewall configurations. After making these changes, it’s a good practice to restart Outlook to see if the issues have been resolved.

The Bottom Line

Outlook data file corruption can sometimes occur unexpectedly, impeding the user’s ability to carry out regular tasks. Native solutions may not always be dependable for effectively addressing OST corruption issues. However, third-party OST to PST converter solutions offer a reliable, secure, and fast method for recovering severely affected OST files and converting them into PST files promptly.