The sudden power failure may lead to OST file corruption if, the instance occurs when a user is actually working with the OST file. Methods to Repair Corrupted & Damaged OST File in Outlook A user repair corrupted and damaged OST file easily with the help of these following manual workarounds.
One fine day, a user reported system-hang issue. Troubleshooting detected overloaded space issue and space overload factor is caused due to voluminous OST files. Outlook users get so possessive about their emails that they do not want to part with the most unwanted mails and attachments even when they are aware that these mails hold no importance. What is the outcome? OST files grow abnormally huge in size and their chances of corruption also get higher. In fact, these enormous OST files can be counted as database, due to their vast size. Such OST files are prone to corruption leaving no other option for the user but to “delete OST file”. Now the problem arises as to how to you access your Outlook when the OST file is deleted. Read on to understand the process of deleting OST file without deleting Email messages.
When you delete ost file, it shows following message:
“Careful, if you remove this account, its offline cached content will be deleted, learn how to make a backup of the offline .ost file”
Make sure you Back-up the OST Files
Few experts don’t believe in backing up OST files as they have a preconceived notion that they can easily download these files again from Exchange Server, but as mentioned in the message stated above, it is important for data retention or when the files are deleted accidently from Outlook. It is recommended that you backup your OST file into PST file format. Backup data in PST format enables you to access OST file data from different accounts, if the same Outlook profile is not available. You can also transfer OST file data to new computer by exporting it to PST format. Use Stellar Converter for OST to export Outlook data into PST file-format. Though Outlook’s Import-Export utility can also be used but the major limitation of this inbuilt utility is that user is unable to export other mail components like calendars, contacts, journals and more. Stellar Converter for OST Recommendations:
Steps to delete OST file without losing Email messages:
![Outlook Outlook](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125848938/809092302.png)
Step 1: Close MS Outlook application
Step 2: Go to Start and type Run in the search bar. Search for the OST file from the run command. Enter the following command in the Run Window: C:UsersUser NameAppDataLocalMicrosoftOutlook, as shown in the image below
Step 3: Click Ok and the location where the OST file is placed opens.
Step 4: Select OST file and click on Delete button. A confirmation message appears on the screen ‘Are you sure you want to move this file to Recycle Bin?’ Click on Yes button and the file gets deleted.
Once the OST file is deleted, you may feel the need to recreate the file to let the Outlook work efficiently. This can be done by creating a new OST file with a different pathname and synchronize it with Exchange. Configure your Outlook and initiate working in offline mode with the newly created and synchronized OST.
Steps to create new OST
Once you have received the message of successful deletion of OST file, verify if it is available on Outlook. Once you are sure, follow the below mentioned steps to create and synchronize new OST:
Step 1: Quit MS Exchange Client (MS Outlook)
Step 2: Rename the existing OST file. This ensures that file name is different for each file.
Step 3: Restart MS Outlook in Online Mode
Step 4: You will receive the following error message- “The file “C:Exchange directoryfile name.ost could not be found”. Click OK
Step 5: Got to Offline Folder File Settings dialog box, click OK button
Note: You can also alter the path and the file name of the OST file using this dialog
Step 6: You will receive an error message- “The file c:Exchange directoryfile name.ost’ could not be found. Would you like to create it?” Click Yes
Note – MS Outlook will start in online mode
Step 7: On the Tools menu, click Synchronize-All folders
This way, the newly created OST file gets synchronized with the Exchange Server. Now you can configure Outlook to initiate working in offline mode by using the new OST file.
Why we delete OST file?
We are forced to delete the OST file due to excessive file-corruption. Corrupt OST file hampers the working of your Outlook. It should be deleted as per the procedure mentioned above. You can also use OST to PST Converter by Stellar Data Recovery to repair corrupt file without deleting Outlook OST file.
The unprecedented situation
OST corruption is beyond repair and synchronization is not possible due to inaccessible EDB file! In normal circumstances, when corrupt OST files are deleted by the users it may not result in deletion of Email messages as users are able to retrieve Outlook data by synchronizing data with Exchange server but here the EDB file is also inaccessible. In the event, when Emails are crucial for correspondence, you have to find a solution to either repair the corrupt OST or compromise with ineffective communication.
Situation is avoidable with Stellar converter for OST software. This software tool helps users to repair the corrupt OST files and retrieve data in their Outlook. Wonderful Graphical User Interface assists the user at every step in finding and/or selecting the corrupt OST file, submit this file in the software for scan and repair and ultimately retrieve the file as corruption-free OST.
All in All
Communication is the lifeline of the organization. If communication is hampered, users are unable to work in perfect harmony. In that case, corruption in OST is certainly not permissible. Click on to install Stellar converter for OST software which scans corrupt files and folders and repairs all mail components and saves them in a new PST. Newly formed PST can be imported to Outlook for mail-data retrieval. All email messages are intact and data is available in original format minus the corruption. To cut the long conversation short, mails are the most valuable data which should be retrieved at all cost. With OST to PST Converter software, users remain free from unwieldy processes and utilize their valuable hours in productivity and business operations.
Please check our MVP review to get more insight about OST to PST converter from stellar.
Offline Storage Table (OST) is an offline folder file in the Outlook email application. Offline folders make it possible for the user to work offline and then to sync changes with the Exchange server the next time they connect. A user can easily perform actions such as reading or deletion of existing mail, draft saving, the composition of new emails, etc. The ability to work offline is useful in platforms with limited or unreliable connectivity. Happily, Exchange Server damage does not affect the OST File. But, sometimes the OST file gets corrupted and user needs to repair OST file before accessing it.
Primarily the release of Outlook 2010, we were capable to repair a corrupted OST File. However, with hands on this updated version or its older version, Microsoft has extracted the repair tool like “Scanost.exe”. Therefore, its restoration has become a challenging task. Still, there are methods to recover the corrupted OST File. Find all reliable solution to repair OST file in Outlook. Continue Reading…
Points to be Discussed Here:
The post will elaborate the process of repairing OST file through different methods along with all essential information.
How Outlook OST File Gets Corrupted?
There is a number of reasons for Outlook OST file to get corrupted. When this happens, OST files may become completely unreadable. Some of the software and hardware reasons that might corrupt OST file. Before proceeding for OST repair solution. Let’s first list all possible reasons of OST corruption.
- When offline OST file is about to reach its stipulated limit, it turns corrupt or even becomes inaccessible.
- Abnormal termination of MS Outlook program can corrupt Outlook.ost file.
- Inappropriate Microsoft Outlook Add-in can result in OST file corruption.
- The unexpected performance of the device can be due to malfunctioning of any item or due to bugs and virus infection.
- The bad functionality of the network cards, cables, routers, and other similar devices directly affect the functionality of the Outlook OST files.
- The sudden power failure may lead to OST file corruption if, the instance occurs when a user is actually working with the OST file.
Methods to Repair Corrupted & Damaged OST File in Outlook
A user repair corrupted and damaged OST file easily with the help of these following manual workarounds. In the upcoming section, we are going to describe all the workarounds to repair OST file step-by-step. You just need to follow all the step carefully to get a better result.
Workaround 1: Repair Outlook OST File Using Upload Folder
It is the easiest way to repair OST file and fix the corruption issue. Simply perform the steps:
Step 1: Firstly, right-click on the OST file folder, and select Properties.
Step 2: When the dialog box displays, hit on ‘Clear Offline Items’ option under this dialog box.
Step 3: After that choose “OK” option to move forward
Step 4: Now, on Outlook ribbon, select Send/Receive option
Step 5: Lastly, click “Update Folder” to save the changes.
Note: – Now check whether the OST file repaired or not. If not then move to the second workaround.
Workaround 2: Repair OST File With In-Built Tool Scanost.exe
The Microsoft Outlook consist of an in-built tool i.e. scanost.exe, try this utility and repair OST file easily. Follow the steps listed below:
Step 1: Stop the MS Outlook application before starting the repair procedure.
Step 2: Now, start Scanost.exe by double-clicking on it, the default location is drive:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOFFICE12 (the destination folder path may be differs depending on your Outlook version).
Step 3: In this step, if you have several Outlook accounts, the tool will pop up to select the OST file that you wants to repair. Simply select the corrupted OST file and proceed.
Step 4: If you are prompted to Work Offline, hit on “Connect” and select the option according to your desire.
Step 5: Lastly, choose repair errors checkbox to automatically fix errors while scanning the OST file. Afterward, click on the Scan button.
Note: – The utility is proposed by Microsoft. So it is a free utility, so you can use this for free. If the problem persists and you are not able to fix OST corruption issue and unable to repair OST file. Then move to workaround 3.
Workaround 3: Repair Corrupt OST File by Recreating A New OST
As MS Exchange Server uses offline OST file, which is a copy of information saved on the email server. If anywhere you encounter issues with the OST data file, then you can delete the existing OST file and recreate OST file. the process is applicable for Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and below versions. You should have to perform this process wisely, only if your OST file is not usable anymore. It will help you to repair OST file but some data loss may occur.
Workaround 4: Disable Firewall & Anti-virus settings to Repair OST File
The user can turn off the antivirus program, and other firewall settings, as some applications (like Outlook), are programmed to scan and detects problems for every incoming and outgoing email. An enabled antivirus setting may block the normal working of the MS Outlook at times, so you may need to disable the settings and restart the system to view the changes. Sometimes this trick works to repair corrupted OST file. Which is actually not corrupted but blocked.
Workaround 5: Launch Outlook in Safe Mode to Repair Corrupted OST
The main purpose to start MS Outlook in safe mode is to disable any add-ins that may occur errors during the rebooting procedure. It permits working safely without any files or add-in being corrupt. This command will not repair OST file but provide access to inaccessible OST file. Simply utilize this command to launch Outlook in safe mode:
“outlook.exe /safe.”
“outlook.exe /safe.”
Drawbacks Of Executing Manual Methods to Repair OST File
1. This only capable of repairing only minor OST file corruption issues
2. There is no surety to recover data from OST file
3. Does not provide any guarantee for the safety of the data
4. The scanost.exe tool is unavailable in Outlook 2010, 2013 or later release
2. There is no surety to recover data from OST file
3. Does not provide any guarantee for the safety of the data
4. The scanost.exe tool is unavailable in Outlook 2010, 2013 or later release
Best Way to Repair Corrupted OST File Without Any Data Loss
The user can go with an alternate approach to repair OST file. As we know that the above-mentioned manual solution contains some drawbacks. So, we come up with an appropriate method to repair corrupt OST File such as OST Recovery Software. With the help of this tool a user can easily repair damaged and corrupt OST file. The software facilitates an understandable user interface even a novice user also avail it. The tool is capable enough to fix highly corrupted Outlook OST file within a few minutes. The application is equipped with some amazing functionalities, some are listed below:
- Repair and Restore OST file into multiple file formats
- Split exported File into the small size to avoid corruption
- Retains metadata like the read/unread status & message date
- Recover .ost file of both compressible & high-level Encryption
- No file size restriction for repairing orphaned offline OST file
- Supports Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and all below versions
Why OST File Gets Corrupted in Outlook? – User’s Query!
The queries mentioned below are taken from different discussion sites. Simply read and understand the different scenarios of OST file corruption and know how to repair corrupt OST file?
“My Outlook account OST file corrupted and restrict me to open. Now I want to know how can I remove corruption from OST file. Please guide me the easiest solution to fix corrupt ost file Outlook 2013.”
“The Exchange OST file corrupted and creating lots of trouble. I want to repair corrupt OST file by myself. Please guide me complete steps here to repair corrupt OST file in Outlook 2016.”
“I am not getting why OST file gets corrupted in Microsoft Outlook 2016? Now I am urgent need to repair corrupt OST file without losing information.”
“Microsoft Exchange OST file corrupted and not opening. Now looking for a verified solution to resolve the OST file corruption issue. Is anyone here to help me with proper guidance? To fix corrupt OST file for Microsoft Outlook 2013.”
“How to repair corrupt Outlook.ost file? I am using Windows 10 and Outlook 2016 with Exchange Server 2016. My Outlook OST file gets corrupted. Please suggest me a valid way to repair corrupt OST file.”
“My old OST file gets corrupted, I don’t know how? But now I want to make it healthy. Please suggest me a professional way to repair corrupt OST file. I am new to repair OST, so please suggest me the easiest way.”
“My main concern is how do I repair a corrupt OST file? Please suggest me a trusted way to repair OST file. Please reply soon, Thanks in Advance!”
Note: – After analyzing all the above queries. We can say that the OST file corruption is a common issue faced by users. In case of OST file corruption, you need a repairing solution to fix OST file corrupted issue. Above in this post, I have explained the free manual solution to repair OST file. After performing the steps listed above you can easily fix the OST file always corrupted issue.
Final Verdict
At times, corruption is unreliable in Outlook data files that can restrict the user to execute normal functioning. The in-built solutions are not a successful technique to completely rely on to deal with OST corruption problems. Moreover, the proposed tool uses safe, secured, and swift method to repair OST files, instantly. We described both methods user can opt any one of them as per their need to repair Outlook OST file. I hope after going through all steps, now you have resolved your query how to repair corrupted OST file? Still have any doubt, feel free to contact.