Outlook’s OST is a heavily encrypted data file. It stands for Offline Storage Table. Let’s decode the technical aspects associated with this file. First understand its creation. It is created when the user configures the email client with IMAP, Exchange, Office 365, and Outlook.com. Now understand how it works. It works in synchronization with the mail server. This data files stores a synced copy of vital email messages, crucial contacts, tasks, and other mailbox folders. It is linked with a particular Outlook profile. Additionally, it is secured with a MAPIEntryID GUID key. All these features assure security of the saved data. OST also provides access to mailbox folders even without Internet connectivity.
Even this data file (.ost) is secured but it can still get corrupted as time passes. If the data file (.ost) gets damaged, there is a risk to data saved in it. Before leaping forward, first understand the signs of OST corruption. The email client experience sudden crashes. It also witnesses a surge in error messages. There are synchronization issues with the mail server. The user can also experience missing email messages, contacts, etc. Now the question arises how to deal with OST file corruption. Before selecting the line of action for OST repair, the user must first analyse the level of corruption. The first remedy available to all users is Outlook’s built-in tools and features like ScanPST.exe. But these tools and functionalities are perfect for fixing minor corruption issues. In case of major corruption scenarios, these may not work. In such cases, experts recommend to convert the damaged OST to the PST format. Unlike an encrypted .ost file, the PST is portable, easy to managed and can be accessed on different devices.
Checkout our guide titled ‘How to Repair Corrupt OST File in Outlook’ to know more about the topic
Factors Responsible for OST File Corruption:
In this part of the post, we will explore factors that can damage Outlook data file (.ost). Some of the reasons that can lead to OST corruption are discussed below:
- In the event of a sudden system shutdown
- When the Outlook crashes suddenly owing to technical reasons
- When there are connectivity issues with the network or server
- When the Outlook OST file has grown massively with the accumulation of data and meta data
- In the event of hardware or storage device failures
- When there are synchronization problems
- Malware attack
Common Signs of a Damaged OST:
Some common signs of data file corruption (.ost) are listed below:
- The user experiences a sudden surge in error messages (e.g Outlook data file cannot be accessed)
- The email client becomes unresponsive or crash while its launching
- Increase in sync issues with the server
- Inability to send or receive new email messages
- Missing email messages, contacts, or events
- Outlook may remain in offline mode
- Slow operations like search function may not work or takes too long to execute any action
- Outlook consume enough system resources
How to Repair Corrupt OST File in Outlook?
In this part of the guide, we will explore methods to fix the corruption issues in Outlook data file (.ost). Follow the below guide to know more about the Outlook built-in functionalities available to fix a damaged OST:
Fix 1: Update Folder: If you are sure that one particular folder is creating the issue, then try updating the folder manually. First delete folder’s offline items. After this update the folder by connecting to the Exchange server. The step-by-step description is given below:
- Launch the Outlook app.
- After this right-click the folder you need to update.
- Press Properties.
- After this action, the user will come across a dialog box.
- Under the dialog box, press Clear Offline Items.
- Press OK.
- Now click Send/Receive tab. Then hit on the Update Folder.
Fix 2: Repair Damaged OST Using ScanPST.Exe: It is also known as the Inbox Repair Tool. This built-in functionality is used to fix corruption issues in both OST and PST data files. It is located by default at Outlook installation directory. After discovering ScanPST, follow the below steps:
- Exit Outlook and other processes running in the background.
- Run ScanPST.exe.
- A window will pop up.
- Press Browse. Enter the location of the targeted OST file.
- Press on the Start option. This action will initiate the file scanning.
(Note: At this stage, don’t forget to take the backup of the .ost file)
- Backup the PST file by clicking the checkbox option.
- After taking backup, click Repair to start the process.
- Once the process is finished, ScanPST will exhibit a detail of findings.
- Analyse the results and re-launched the Outlook.
There is a possibility that ScanPST may fail to fix the issue. It is perfect for fixing a small OST with minor issues. It will not work on an oversized data file (.ost). Additionally, there is a strong possibility of losing crucial data stored in the damaged file. In such a scenario, the user can utilize any OST converter software to resolve the problem. Such tools utilize advance algorithm to quickly repair the file (.ost) of any size. Software like Stellar Converter for OST is capable of fixing severely-damaged, oversized, or orphaned OST. It features a friendly GUI.
Benefits of Using Stellar Converter for OST:
- Ability to efficiently convert an oversized OST to PST
- Can fix IMAP, encrypted as well as inaccessible OST files
- A user can export the converted file in multiple formats (PDF, MSG, EML, RTF, etc.)
- Facilitates batch conversion
- Friendly interface to assist even a user with a limited technical knowledge to use the software comfortably
- Efficiently extract mailbox data including email messages, attachments, notes, etc.
Conclusion:
In the above guide titled “How to Repair Corrupt OST File in Outlook,” we have explored technical aspects associated with the Outlook data file (.ost). We have learnt that OST is heavily encrypted for data safety. But it is also prone to corruption. We have explored signs as well as factors of OST file corruption. We discussed some manual methods—Updating Folder and Repair the file (.ost) using ScanPST– to fix such corruption issues. But these built-in features may fail to fix the issue completely. The best way is to convert the .ost file to PST format using OST converter software. Such tools read the damaged file and internally repair the data. Experts term software like Stellar Converter for OST as the best option to safely recover the data.
