How to Manage and Delete Corrupt OST Files in Outlook

To free up disk space and maintain optimal performance, it’s crucial to address corrupt Offline Storage Table (OST) files. Deleting these files proactively helps prevent further issues, whether the OST file originated from the MS Outlook platform or the Exchange platform. If left unmanaged, a corrupt OST file can lead to data inaccessibility, synchronization problems, and unnecessary costs related to recovery. Factors like abrupt system shutdowns, virus infections, oversized files, application errors, and faulty add-ins can all contribute to corruption. Here’s how to effectively delete corrupt OST files and create new ones.

How to Delete Corrupt OST Files

Follow these steps to manage and delete damaged OST files:

1. Close All MS Office Applications: Ensure Microsoft Outlook and all other MS Office applications are completely closed.
2. Access the OST File Location:
   • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook and hit OK. This opens the folder where your OST files are stored.
3. Delete the OST File:
   • Locate the corrupt OST file you wish to delete. Right-click on the file and select Delete or use the delete icon.
   • Empty the Recycle Bin to ensure complete removal of the file.
4. Alternative Access:
   • You can also delete OST files via the Control Panel. Go to Control Panel > Mail > Email Accounts > Data Files. Select the Exchange account file and click Open Location. After closing the Account Setup and Email Setup dialog boxes, right-click on the OST file and select Delete.

Steps to Create New OST Files

Creating new OST files is a straightforward process:

1. Restart MS Outlook: Make sure your Outlook is online.
2. Respond to Error Messages: If prompted with a message indicating that the OST file is corrupt, click OK to close the dialog box.
3. Create a New OST File:
   • When prompted to create a new OST file, click Yes.
   • Go to Tools > Synchronize All Folders to initiate the synchronization process.

After following these steps, Outlook can operate in offline mode, and any changes made will automatically update once the network connection is restored.

Important Note

While deleting and recreating OST files is effective, be aware that any unsynchronized data added before corruption will not be updated or downloaded using this method.

To help manage disk space effectively, consider using the Mailbox Cleanup feature. This allows you to view your total mailbox size, remove unnecessary items, and compress the OST file to save space.

Professional Solutions for OST Management

Before deciding to delete OST files, it’s worth attempting to compact them. Compaction can also help save disk space.

For a more efficient and secure solution, consider converting your OST files to PST or other formats. This allows for easy backups and further space-saving. Tools like the SoftMagnat OST to PST Converter make the process straightforward, enabling you to select specific data within your OST mailbox without needing access to an email client or server. These tools perform automated conversions while maintaining the integrity of your data hierarchy.

---

FAQs

1. What is an OST file?
OST (Offline Storage Table) files are used by Microsoft Outlook to store copies of your emails, calendar events, and other data for offline access.

2. Why should I delete corrupt OST files?
Deleting corrupt OST files can help prevent synchronization issues, data inaccessibility, and wasted recovery expenses.

3. Can I recover data from a corrupt OST file?
Yes, using specialized tools, you can recover data from a corrupt OST file before deletion.

4. Is it safe to delete OST files?
Yes, deleting OST files is safe, especially if they are corrupt. Just ensure you have backups if necessary.

5. How do I know if my OST file is corrupt?
Signs of a corrupt OST file include frequent error messages, inability to synchronize with the server, and missing emails or calendar entries.

By managing your OST files effectively, you can maintain optimal performance in Outlook and ensure a seamless email experience.