MS Outlook OST (Offline Storage Table) files are essential for accessing your email data when working offline. These files synchronize with your mail server when a connection is available. Accidentally deleting an OST file can be frustrating, but the good news is that restoring it is usually possible. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to recover a deleted OST file and get Outlook back to normal.
Understanding OST Files
Before diving into recovery steps, it’s important to understand the nature of OST files:
1. Purpose: OST files store a synchronized copy of your mailbox data, including emails, contacts, and calendar events, allowing offline access.
2. Regeneration: OST files can often be recreated from the mail server as long as your account settings and server connection remain intact.
3. Location: By default, OST files are stored in: Windows 10/11: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
Steps to Restore a Deleted OST File
Check the Recycle Bin
- If you accidentally delete the OST file manually, it might still be in the Recycle Bin.
- Open the Recycle Bin, search for the OST file, and restore it if found.
Recreate the OST File Automatically
Since OST files are tied to your Outlook account, they can often be regenerated by simply reopening Outlook. Here’s how:
1. Close Outlook if it’s running.
2. Navigate to the OST file location (see above) and verify if the file is missing.
3. Restart Outlook. It should detect the missing file and create a new one by syncing data from the server.
Recover from a Backup
1. If you regularly back up your system, you can restore the OST file from a backup.
2. Navigate to your backup tool, locate the OST file in the specified directory, and restore it.
Repair Outlook Profile
If recreating the OST file doesn’t work, there may be an issue with your Outlook profile. So, you can try to create a new Outlook profile with the steps below:
1. Open the Control Panel and go to Mail.
2. Select Show Profiles and click on your profile.
3. Choose Remove and then recreate the profile by clicking Add and following the prompts.
4. Reopen Outlook to allow it to create a new OST file.
Use Data Recovery Software: If the OST file was permanently deleted and not backed up, you can try using a data recovery tool. It is workable only if there is no access to the server to recreate the file. You just need to Install and run the software, select the drive where the OST file was located, and let the tool scan for recoverable files.
Best Practices to Prevent Future Issues
- Enable Regular Backups: Use backup tools or services to regularly back up your Outlook data.
- Be Cautious with Deletions: Double-check before deleting any files related to Outlook.
- Consider PST Conversion: If you need a more portable format, convert OST files to PST using tools like the built-in Outlook Export feature.
Besides this, if you know the exact reason for the OST file deletion then it will be easier for you to get it recovered. However, since OST is a cached file format, there will be no need to recover it from the HDD using various Windows recovery techniques like other Windows files.
By following the steps mentioned in this post, you should be able to restore your accidentally deleted OST file and resume normal operations. If you encounter further issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance.
