Where is Outlook ost file located?

Where is Outlook OST file located?

Outlook is a popular email client developed by Microsoft, known for its ability to connect to various email accounts, including Exchange, IMAP, and POP3. One of the key file types used by Outlook is the Offline Storage Table (OST) file. OST files are locally stored on your computer or device, and they serve as a cache of your email account data, enabling you to access your email even when you’re not connected to the internet. In this article, we’ll explore where Outlook OST file is located, its uses, and how to locate it on your device.

What is an Outlook OST file?

A OST file (Offline Storage Table) is a local file created by Microsoft Outlook to store a replica of your email account’s data. When you access your email account using Outlook, the client downloads emails, contacts, and other data from the server, and stores them in this OST file. This process is called synchronizing your email account. The OST file remains on your local device and is updated in real-time as you receive new emails. OST files help you access your email while offline, allowing you to continue working on your emails, contacts, and other items even when you’re disconnected from the internet.

Where is Outlook OST file located?

The location of the OST file varies depending on your operating system, Outlook version, and whether you use a 32-bit or 64-bit system.

Windows Operating System:

• Outlook 2010, 2013, and 2016: C:Users<Username>AppDataLocalMicrosoftOutlook< Profilename>.ost

  • <Username>: Your Windows user account name
  • <Profilename>: The profile name you used when you set up Outlook

• Outlook 2007: C:Documents and Settings<Username>Application DataMicrosoftOutlook<Profilename>.ost
• Outlook 97-2002: C:WindowsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook<Profilename>.ost

Mac Operating System:

• Outlook 2016, 2019, and Office 365: /Users/<Username>/Library/Group Containers/UC3TRB7SF5.com.microsoft.Outlook/

  • <Username>: Your macOS user account name

• Outlook 2011: /Users/<Username>/Library/Mail/V2/

  • <Username>: Your macOS user account name

Why is finding the OST file important?

Locating the OST file is important for several reasons:

• Backup and recovery: You can back up and recover your OST file, ensuring that your email account data is safe in case of data loss or system failure.
• Converting to PST: You can convert your OST file to a Personal Storage Table (PST) file, which can be used with other email clients, such as Outlook Express.
• Resolving OST file corruption: If the OST file becomes corrupted or damaged, you can restore it from a backup or recreate it manually.

How to locate the OST file manually:

• Windows:

  • Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type %appdata%microsoftoutlook and press Enter. This will take you to the Outlook folder.
  • Look for the file with the same name as your Outlook profile (.ost extension).

• Mac:

  • Open the Applications folder.
  • Find the Outlook.app folder and open it.
  • Look for the Group Containers folder and navigate to UC3TRB7SF5.com.microsoft.Outlook/ (or /Mail/V2/ for Outlook 2011).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the OST file is a crucial part of Outlook’s functionality, allowing you to access your email account data offline and synchronize it with your online account. Locating the OST file can be important for backup, recovery, conversion, or resolving corruption issues. Knowing where to find the OST file on your device, whether on Windows or macOS, can help you effectively manage your email account and ensure data security. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can manually locate the OST file on your device and take steps to protect your email data.