Locate OST File in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and Other Versions

Updated On - November 16, 2023 by Armaan |

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Finding the location of Microsoft Outlook OST files has been a searched thing over the internet for managing emails, calendars, tasks, and contacts of Outlook email clients. To ensure seamless access to your data, Outlook uses two types of data files: PST (Personal Storage Table) and OST (Outlook Offline Storage Table). While PST files store your mailbox data on the local storage table, OST files are essential for working in offline mode and syncing changes when you’re back online. OST files save a copy of the server data in the local computer on which Outlook is configured. Hence, OST files are very crucial and there is a need to locate OST files in Outlook.

However, there are times when you need to locate your OST file, whether it’s for troubleshooting issues, migrating to a new computer, or simply for backup purposes. Navigating the intricate file structure of Outlook can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. But worry not, as this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of finding your OST file in all versions of Microsoft Outlook.

How Does Knowing OST File Location Help Users?

There are several compelling reasons why you might need to find the location of your OST (Outlook Offline Storage Table) file in Microsoft Outlook. Here are some of the key reasons why you might need to locate your OST file:

• Troubleshooting Outlook Problems: When Outlook encounters issues, locating your OST file is the first step in troubleshooting. Accessing the file allows you to examine or repair it, which can often resolve common Outlook issues.
• Data Backup: Regularly backing up your OST file is essential for safeguarding your email, calendar, and contact data. Knowing where your OST file is located ensures you can include it in your backup routine, providing a safety net in case of data loss or system crashes.
• Migration to a New Computer: When you switch to a new computer or need to transfer your Outlook data to a different device, finding the OST file is crucial. You’ll want to migrate this file to ensure a seamless transition without losing any of your essential data.
• Archiving Old Data: Managing mailbox size is essential to maintain optimal Outlook performance. Locating your OST file enables you to archive older emails and attachments, reducing the size of your mailbox and improving overall system responsiveness.
• Access to Offline Data: If you rely on Outlook’s offline mode to access your email and calendar when not connected to the internet, knowing the location of your OST file is vital. This allows you to access your data even when offline and synchronize changes once you’re back online.
• Recovery from Data Loss: In unfortunate situations where data is lost due to accidental deletion or system failures, having a copy of your OST file can facilitate data recovery efforts. You can convert it to a PST file or use specialized software to recover lost data.

Default Location of OST Files in Different Outlook Versions:

Outlook Version	Windows O.S.	OST File Path
Outlook 2000 Outlook 2003 Outlook 2007	Windows XP	C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\ApplicationData\Microsoft\Outlook
Outlook 2007	Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 10	C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\ Outlook
Outlook 2010	Windows XP	My Documents\Outlook Files
Outlook 2010	Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 10	Documents\OutlookFile\
Outlook 2013 Outlook 2016 Outlook 2019	Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 10	C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Apart from this default location, Outlook provides a few more methods to locate OST files in Outlook.

How to Locate OST Files in Different Versions of Outlook?

Finding the location of your OST (Outlook Offline Storage Table) file using Outlook’s built-in options can be quite straightforward. Here are the steps to locate the OST file using Outlook options:

For Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2013:

Open Outlook: Launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer.
Access Outlook Options:

• Click on the “File” tab in the Outlook ribbon.
• In the sidebar, click on the Account Settings… option
• In the next window, click on the Data Files tab and click the Open File Locations.
• Now you will be redirected to the OST file location.

For Outlook 2010:

• Open Outlook and click on the File from the ribbon bar.
• Now select the Account Settings option and click on the Account Settings…
• A drop-down menu will appear, click on the Microsoft Exchange server and then hit Change.
• Following, click on More settings > navigate to the Advanced tab and click Offline Folder File settings.
• Now you’ll see the location of your OST file, copy it, and paste it into any browser and this will open your OST file.

For Outlook 2007:

However, Outlook 2007 is a very old version of Outlook, but if you are still using it and want to locate OST files to get access to your data, follow the below-given steps:

• Open the Outlook 2007 and then go to Tools >> Account Settings…
• Click on the Change after selecting the email account.
• Make a click on the More Settings…
• Advanced >> Offline Folder File Setting.
• Now, you will find the location of the OST file in the File field. Simply copy the path and find the OST files by pasting them on File Explorer.

Note the Location: Take note of the file path, or you can also copy it to your clipboard for future reference. Apart from this, you can change the OST file location using the ForceOSTPath option to your desired location and easily locate the OST file.

Regain OST to PST Converter: Professional Tool to Handle OST Files

To deal with the Outlook data storage file, i.e., OST files, saving them in another location is a wise decision. But, for the same, there is a need to convert OST to PST file format. For this, Regain OST Converter utility is a one-stop solution, and several Outlook users and organizations use this automated tool. Also, if required, you can import your OST file into different file formats and webmail email clients using this professional tool. After locating OST files, convert them into PST file format and save them at your preferred location. Also, you can add and open the PST file in any Outlook and view them. Converting OST to PST favors users in all ways as it gives portability as well as accessibility to users.

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Over to You!

Outlook users are well versed in the importance of OST files as they store a copy of mailbox data in a local system synchronized with Outlook. Hence, there is a need to locate the OST file in Outlook to access this data whenever needed. This write-up has explained ways to locate OST files in different Outlook versions. After locating OST files, we suggest you convert OST to PST, as you can open PST files in any Outlook email client as well as store PST files wherever you want to. For this .ost to .pst conversion, Regain OST to PST Converter is an ideal tool. This tool’s free demo version is also available; you must download and explore this professional utility.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: What is an OST file in Microsoft Outlook?
Ans: An OST (Outlook Offline Storage Table) file is an offline copy of your mailbox data, including emails, calendars, contacts, and tasks. It allows you to work in Outlook even when you are not connected to the internet and syncs changes when you reconnect.

Q2: Can I change the location of my OST file in Outlook?
Ans: Yes, you can change the location of your OST file using the ForceOSTPath registry option. However, this should be done with caution, and it’s advisable to follow Microsoft’s guidelines or consult with IT professionals.

Q3: What is the default location for OST files in Outlook 365?
Ans: In Outlook 365 on Windows 10, the default location for OST files is typically C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook (or a similar variation based on your Windows user account).

Q4: Is there a risk of losing data if I move or delete my OST file?
Ans: Yes, moving or deleting your OST file without proper precautions can result in data loss. It’s crucial to back up your OST file or use a professional tool like the Regain OST recovery tool if you plan to make significant changes.

Q5: Is there a recommended tool for converting OST files to PST format?
Ans: Yes, You can use Regain OST to PST converter tool for converting OST files to PST format. This tool can be helpful when you need to recover data from a corrupted OST file or migrate data to another email client.

Q6: Can I open an OST file on a different computer with a different Outlook version?
Ans: OST files are associated with a specific email profile and Outlook version. To open an OST file on a different computer or Outlook version, you may need to convert it to a PST file or set up a compatible email profile.