Relocating OST data files? – take this brief tour

Introduction

For efficient email communication, both individuals and businesses rely on a robust email management system. A dependable email platform is essential for organizations to thrive in the highly competitive landscape of information technology. Here are some key features that users typically seek in an email platform:

Users expect their email platform to provide instant access to their emails. Many email management applications support multiple account types from various email servers, and these mailboxes should remain active whenever the application is open. Users should be able to send and receive emails seamlessly without any hassle.

Email communication over the internet relies on protocols that facilitate fast and straightforward messaging while incorporating security features. Additionally, email management applications often include security measures to prevent the delivery of malicious or spam emails. These applications may proactively scan emails and their attachments for potential threats before they are opened or displayed in the mailbox.

While web-based email services typically support email addresses associated with their own platforms (e.g., Google supports Gmail, Yahoo supports Yahoo Mail, Microsoft supports Hotmail), professional email clients like Outlook are designed to be more versatile. They can accommodate email accounts from various platforms, providing users with a unified and comprehensive email management solution.

In addition to email communication, a comprehensive email manager should offer a range of features to support various business tasks. These may include contact management, calendar and event handling, archiving, backup capabilities, and more. These additional features help users and businesses efficiently manage their communication and productivity needs within a single application.

People have a deep affinity for the MS Outlook email application because it embodies the parameters mentioned earlier. Microsoft Outlook has come a long way, starting with Outlook for MS-DOS and evolving into the highly robust and intelligent MS Outlook 2016 version, which has left a lasting impact on users' email and productivity experiences.

MS Outlook is closely integrated with MS Exchange Server technology, offering a wide range of features, including exceptional email management, calendaring, task scheduling, and contact management services. It offers two highly useful email formats: Outlook Data File (.pst) and Offline Outlook Data File (.ost). These formats simplify email access whether you're connected to the Exchange Server, working on a standalone machine, or both.

Among these two file types, the Offline Outlook Data File (.ost) plays a crucial role by creating a local replica of email items stored on Exchange mailboxes. This local replica ensures uninterrupted email access even during periods of Exchange Server disconnection. However, the automatic creation of OST folders on your hard drive can sometimes be disadvantageous, especially when there is a need to save OST backups to a different drive partition or a separate hard disk.

OfflineThe Offline Outlook Data File, or OST file, is generated within the computer's hard drive through the collaboration of MS Outlook and MS Exchange Server. The precise location of the OST file can vary slightly depending on the version of the Windows operating system being used. Here's a breakdown of the OST file storage locations for different Windows OS versions:

• OST file location in Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, & Windows Vista C Drive: \Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook (For MS Outlook 2010 or Above)
• OST file location in Windows XP

C Drive: \Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Changing the default location of an OST file is possible through the MS Outlook email client. However, it's important to exercise caution when making this change, as it can sometimes lead to unpredictable behavior in MS Outlook. This behavior may include issues like application freezing or malfunctioning Outlook browse buttons, potentially putting the OST email items at risk of corruption. Let's explore the process of relocating the OST file:

1. Close the MS Outlook email client.
2. Click Start → Control Panel or Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and then press Enter.
3. Double-click the Mail icon. The Mail dialog box is displayed.
4. Click the E-mail Accounts tab, and then locate and select your Exchange account.
5. Click the Change option, and then clear Use Cached Exchange Mode.
6. Go to the More Settings option. Select the Advanced tab, and then click the Offline Folder File Settings option.
7. Click the Disable Offline Use option, and then click Yes.
8. Once again click the Offline Folder File Settings option.
9. Click the Browse button to set the OST file location. Click the OK button.
10. Click Yes to apply actions.
11. In the Cached Exchange Mode Settings field, select Use Cached Exchange Mode.
12. Click OK → Next → Finish.
13. Close all the dialog boxes.

This method allows you to move the OST file to a desired location while ensuring the safety of Exchange data files. It's important to ensure that Cached Exchange mode is disabled when relocating the OST data files. Alternatively, you can also relocate the OST file by making adjustments to the Windows registries. Here are the steps to facilitate OST file relocation using this method:

1. Close the MS Outlook email client.
2. Press the Windows + R button, type regedit, and then press Enter.
3. Navigate through the following registry path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\version number\Outlook.
4. Right-click the Outlook sub key, point to New, and then click the Expandable String Value option.
5. Specify ForceOSTPath. Press the Enter key.
6. Right-click the newly-created ForceOSTPath. Click the Modify option.
7. Specify OST file path for saving in the Value box. Click the OK button.
8. Exit the registry editor.

The process of relocating the entire OST file demands a high level of precision and attention to detail, as any incorrect step can potentially result in the corruption of OST email items. In the event of any interruptions during these procedures, the level of corruption may be beyond the scope of manual troubleshooting. In such cases, opting for an intelligent and trustworthy third-party OST to PST converter application is a prudent choice.

Solution

Kernel for OST to PST Converter is a professional and reliable utility designed to address severe OST file corruptions and facilitate the conversion of OST files to PST format. This software comes equipped with intuitive email migration options that allow users to establish direct connections with popular web-based email applications, email servers, and cloud accounts for storing repaired email items.

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