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It’s estimated that million individuals use Microsoft Outlook on a daily basis. So no, you’re not the only one going through this. Everyone eventually attempts to relocate OST files in Outlook, even if you’re probably not doing it for the same reason as some others.

Join us as we go more into the functions of Outlook OST files and the many justifications for altering their default placement. Let’s find out where your OST file is and how to relocate OST files in Outlook.

Relocate OST Files with ForceOSTPath

Adding the account to your profile before adding the ForceOST registry key, or removing the account and adding it again after establishing the key, is the simplest method to modify Outlook’s default location for OST files. With GPO or a log-on script, administrators may set the key.

Many of the latest Outlook versions support the ForceOSTPath key. It applies solely to new profiles in Outlook 2003 and 2007, but it will also apply to new accounts in a profile in Outlook 2010 and later versions.

Toolsforge ost converter

Modifying the Outlook OST file location’s default setting

You can modify the location of the OST file correctly with the use of workarounds.

  • Transfer the current OST file to a new place and create a new Outlook profile.
  • Using symbolic links, disable the cached exchange mode, and set the OST’s new location.
  • Setting the force PST Path Registry entry.

We’ll go into greater depth about each solution for relocate OST files in outlook.

Approach 1: Make a fresh Outlook profile and relocate the current OST file to a different place.

Creating a new Outlook profile and setting up a new location for the current OST are the steps involved in this OST file location modification procedure. Do the same by according to the directions provided.

  1. Locate the current OST file, copy it, and paste it in the new place.
  2. Click the Mail option in the Control Panel. Start the Control Panel.
  3. Upon selecting the Mail option, the Mail Setup dialog box will appear.
  4. Press the Show Profiles button in the Mail dialog.
  5. After that, click the Add button in the Mail dialog box. Press the Add button.
  6. Click OK after renaming your profile. Put in a fresh name for your profile.
  7. Type in the login information for the email account you want to use to establish a new Outlook profile in the box that appears. Next, click that. Put in your email account’s login information.
  8. Check the Change account settings option and click Next. When Outlook has finished configuring your new email account. Modify your account’s settings.
  9. Click the More Settings button on the Server Settings window that appears. It is situated in the interface’s lower left corner.
  10. Select Outlook Data File Settings by clicking on the advanced tab. Outlook Data File Configurations.
  11. Select the directory where your Outlook Data File (OST) is currently located. Click Open after making your file selection. Examine the area where you have relocated.
  12. Click Finish to bring the procedure to a close.
  13. Return to the Control panel and choose Mail once again once you’ve successfully set up your email profile and modified the location of the current OST.
  14. Press the radio button for “Always use this profile,” then choose “New Profile” from the drop-down menu. To use this profile always, click on it.
  15. To save the changes, choose Apply.

Approach 2: Modify the location of the OST file and disable the cached exchange mode.

The second approach is to set the OST file’s new location, disable the Cache Exchange Mode, and then enable it again. Consequently, a fresh OST file is generated at the just set up location. All mailbox data from Exchange data will be automatically downloaded by this new file.

If you have Outlook 2010, you may follow the instructions below to do the same:

  1. Select Account Settings > Account Settings > Data Files from the File tab in Microsoft Outlook 2010 (or, on your PC, select Control Panel, double-click Mail, and select Data Files).
  2. After that, under the Data Files tab (of the Account Settings box), pick your account and click Settings.

    Note: Here, you may note the current location of the OST file if you don’t know it.

  3. (4)Select the Advanced tab in the new window, uncheck the Use Cached Exchange Mode check box, and then click OK. To proceed, click OK. To make the changes take effect, you need to click OK and restart the program. Settings for accounts
  4. Click Settings once again, then choose the advanced tab. Next, choose Outlook Data File Settings > Disable Offline Use > Yes.
  5. (4)Select Outlook Data File Settings once again and check for the OST file’s new folder location. Press Open, then choose OK.

Note: To transfer an old OST file to the address mentioned above, copy it there first, then open it.

  1. Once again, choose the Utilize Cached Exchange Mode option on the advanced tab and press OK.
  2. Click OK after closing every open dialog box.

Approach 3: Register PST Path with Force

The location of an OST file may be altered using the Windows Registry Key Force PST Path. Every Outlook version, including 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, & 2003, has this key accessible.

You must do the following actions in order to use the Force PST Path key to relocate OST files in outlook:

  1. Press and hold the Windows and R keys simultaneously. Press Enter after typing regedit into the Run window. In the Run window, enter Regedit.
  2. An Editor window for the Registry opens. Depending on the version of Outlook you are using, use the relevant keys. The key for Outlook 2016 is HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook. The key for Outlook 2013 is HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook.
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook is the key for Outlook version 2010; HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook is the key for Outlook version 2007.
  3. In the right-hand pane, do a right-click on an empty section of the Registry Editor. Select Expandable String Value by clicking on New. Go to the Expandable String Value page.
  4. A new value will be produced. Under Save OST, in the Value Data box, add Force OST Path to the value and specify the new default destination. Hit the OK button. Increase the value of Force OST Path.
  5. Restart MS Outlook after quitting Registry Editor. A new OST file is automatically produced in the default location whenever you establish a new Exchange account.

Approach 4: Employing the Symbolic Connections

Symbolic links may be used with the MKLINK command to modify the default placement of an OST file. This entails forging a metaphorical connection between the old and new routes.

The steps listed below will help you finish this process:

  1. Move the OST file from its current place.
  2. Open the Command Prompt window by entering your administrator login information.
  3. Enter the command “mk link” in your keyboard:
    • “D:\Outlook Data Files\<file name>” is the Mk link for “%local app data%\Microsoft\Outlook\<file name>”.
  4. Linkages with Symbols
  5. The Symbolic Link is created when the command is correctly executed.

To sum up

One of the main reasons you are likely sticking with Microsoft’s email software, Outlook, is that it can be used offline. If not for the OST file, none of it could have happened. You may relocate OST files in outlook if you need to — just try not to lose it.

 

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