HomeSoftware TitlesMicrosoft Outlook 2010Re-create an offline Outlook Data File (.ost)

10.2. Re-create an offline Outlook Data File (.ost)

Some account types, such as Microsoft Exchange Server, use an offline Outlook Data File (.ost). This type of data file is a copy of information saved on your mail server. If you encounter problems with an offline Outlook Data File (.ost), the file can be re-created by downloading a copy of your items again. We don't recommend repairing an offline Outlook Data File, so if your offline data file isn't usable, you should re-create it by doing the following:

  1. Exit Outlook.

  2. In Control Panel, click or double-click Mail.

Where is Mail in Control Panel?

Mail appears in different Control Panel locations depending on the version of the Windows operating system, the Control Panel view selected, and whether a 32- or 64-bit operating system or version of Outlook is installed.

The easiest way to locate Mail is to open Control Panel in Windows and then, in the Search box at the top of the window, type Mail.

Note    The Mail icon appears after Outlook starts for the first time.

The title bar of the Mail Setup dialog box contains the name of the current profile. To select a different existing profile, click Show Profiles, select the profile name, and then click Properties.

  1. In the Mail Setup dialog box, click E-mail Accounts.

  2. Click the Data Files tab, select the Exchange account, and then click Open File Location.

    A file explorer window opens to the location of the data file for the Exchange account. The Account Settings and Mail Setup dialog boxes will remain open, behind the file explorer window.

  3. Close the Account Settings and the Mail Setup dialog boxes, then return to the file explorer window.

    Important   Be sure to close these two dialog boxes before you delete the file. If they aren't closed, Windows may display an error message about a conflict.

  4. In the file explorer window, right-click the Exchange data file and then click Delete. The next time you start Outlook, a new .ost file is created for the account.

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