Recover Deleted Mailbox Items and Folders from OST File

Updated On - September 11, 2023 by Deepika Singh |

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Email communication has become an integral part of our daily lives. Emails carry important information and data that we rely on for our personal and professional needs. However, the accidental deletion of mailbox items and folders can lead to severe consequences, such as loss of data and disruption of work. In this blog, we will discuss the manual solution to recover deleted mailbox items and folders from OST file.

What is OST File and how it works

OST stands for Offline Storage Table. It is an offline storage file that stores a copy of your Exchange mailbox on your local computer. The OST file allows you to access your mailbox data even when you are not connected to the internet. This file is useful for people who travel frequently and do not always have access to the internet. OST files is created and used by Microsoft Outlook.

OST files are used to store a copy of your Exchange mailbox on your local computer. The file is synchronized with the Exchange server when you are online. When you make changes to your mailbox data, such as deleting an email or adding a contact, the changes are first made to the OST file. When you connect to the Exchange server, the changes are synchronized with the server, and your mailbox is updated.

Causes of Deleted Outlook folders

There are several reasons why mailbox items and folders can be deleted from OST files. Some of the common causes are:

• Accidental deletion: It is possible to accidentally delete mailbox items and folders. This can happen when you are cleaning up your mailbox or when you accidentally press the delete button.
• Malware or virus attack: Malware and viruses can infect your computer and corrupt your OST file. These malicious programs can also delete mailbox items and folders.
• Synchronization errors: Synchronization errors can occur when your OST file is not synchronize with the Exchange server correctly. This can lead to the deletion of mailbox items and folders.
• Corruption of OST file: Corruption of the OST file can occur due to several reasons, such as power failure, hard disk failure, or improper shutdown of the computer. This can lead to the loss of mailbox items and folders.

Importance of Recovering Deleted Mailbox Folders

Recovering deleted mailbox items and folders from an OST file is essential for several reasons.

• Firstly, losing important emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks can result in serious consequences, especially for businesses. For example, if a crucial email containing important information is accidentally deleted, it could result in a loss of business or legal repercussions. Therefore, it is crucial to have a reliable method for recovering deleted mailbox items and folders.
• Secondly, recovering deleted mailbox is necessary for ensuring the accuracy of your Exchange mailbox. Exchange servers are design to store all email and other data items, including mailbox items and folders, in a central location. However, when mailbox items and folders are deleted, they are not immediately removed from the server. Instead, they are moved to the Deleted Items folder or the Recoverable Items folder, where they can be recovered. If you do not recover deleted mailbox from the OST file, they may be permanently lost, and your Exchange mailbox may become inaccurate or incomplete.
• Thirdly, recovering deleted mailbox items can help you to avoid the time and cost of recreating lost data. For example, if you accidentally delete an email containing important information, you may have to spend hours or even days recreating the information. This can result in lost productivity and increased costs. By recovering the deleted mailbox items and folders from the OST file, you can avoid this time and cost.

Verified Solutions to Recover Deleted Mailbox Items and Folders

There are several manual methods to recover deleted mailbox items and folders from an OST file. These methods are:

Solution 1. Recover deleted mailbox from the Deleted Items folder

When you delete mailbox items and folders, they are moved to the Deleted Items folder. If you have not emptied the Deleted Items folder, you can recover the deleted items from there. To recover deleted items from the Deleted Items folder, follow these steps:

1. Open the Deleted Items folder in Outlook.
2. Right-click on the item you want to recover and select “Move > Other Folder.”
3. Choose the folder where you want to move the item and click “OK.”

Solution 2. Recover deleted items from the Recoverable Items folder

If you have emptied the Deleted Items folder or the deleted items are not visible in the Deleted Items folder, you can try to recover them from the Recoverable Items folder. The Recoverable Items folder contains all items that are deleted from the Deleted Items folder, including items that were deleted by using the Shift+Delete key combination. To recover deleted items from the Recoverable Items folder, follow these steps:

1. Open the Recoverable Items folder in Outlook.
2. Select the item you want to recover and click “Restore Selected Items.”
3. The item will be restore to the original folder from which it was deleted.

Note: The Recoverable Items folder is only available if you are using Microsoft Exchange Server.

Solution 3. Recover deleted mailbox from the backup

If you have a backup of the OST file, you can restore the deleted items from the backup. To recover deleted items from the backup, follow these steps:

1. Restore the backup to a different location.
2. Open the OST file from the restored backup.
3. Follow the steps to recover deleted items from the Deleted Items or Recoverable Items folder, as mentioned above.

Note: Restoring from a backup will replace the current OST file with the backup, which means any changes made to the OST file after the backup was created will be lost.

Manual methods to recover deleted mailbox items and folders can be effective, but they may not always be successful. It is important to take precautions to prevent data loss and to have a reliable method for recovering deleted mailbox items and folders, such as using a professional automated tool.

What are the Precautions to prevent from data loss

Prevention is always better than cure. To prevent data loss and the need to recover deleted mailbox items and folders, you should take the following precautions:

• Backup the OST file: Regularly backing up the OST file ensures that you have a copy of your Exchange mailbox in case of any data loss. This can be done using built-in backup tools in Outlook or third-party backup software.
• Regularly update anti-virus software: Keeping your anti-virus software up-to-date can prevent malware and viruses from infecting your computer and corrupting your OST file.
• Check for synchronization errors: Regularly checking for synchronization errors can help prevent data loss. If you notice any synchronization errors, take the necessary steps to resolve them.

An Automated tool to Recover data from OST file

While manual methods can be effective, they can be time-consuming and may not always be successful in recovering deleted mailbox folders. Automated tools like Regain OST recovery tool can make the recovery process faster and more efficient.

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Some of the advantages of using the Regain OST recovery tool are:

• Quick and easy: The software can recover deleted mailbox items and folders quickly and easily, without the need for manual intervention.
• Comprehensive recovery: Regain OST recovery tool can recover all types of mailbox items, including emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks.
• User-friendly interface: The software have a user-friendly interface that makes the recovery process simple and easy to understand.
• Desired Results: The software is develop with keeping users needs at the center of the development process. We’ve embedded a filter option in the software using which you can get desired OST recovery results.

Following are the steps to recover deleted mailbox from OST file using Regain Software

• Firstly, download and install the software on your computer.

• Secondly, launch the tool and select the OST file from which you want to recover deleted items.

• Now the software will recover the OST file and provide you with a preview of the OST file data.

• Choose the folder that you want to export and click on the Export option from the ribbon bar.

• Now choose a location to save the resultant file and click on the Convert Now option.

Once the recovery process is complete, review the recovered items to ensure that they are complete and accurate.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted folders from an OST file is crucial for preventing data loss and ensuring that you have an accurate copy of your Exchange mailbox. While manual methods can be effective, they can be time-consuming and may not always be successful. Automated tools can make the recovery process faster and more efficient. However, it is important to take precautions to prevent data loss, such as regularly backing up the OST file, keeping anti-virus software up-to-date, and checking for synchronization errors. By following these best practices, you can prevent data loss and ensure that your mailbox items and folders are always safe and secure.