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    • EDB Recovery and MigrationRecover EDB to PST, EDB to Office 365 and Exchange NO Duplicate Migration
    • OST Recovery and MigrationRecover OST to PST, OST to Office 365 and Exchange Migration
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    • Exchange Server MigrationMigrate Exchange 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 to Office 365 tenants. Also, migrate between Exchange servers and PST
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    3. How to repair corrupted Outlook OST files?

    Repair corrupted OST files

    Steps to repair OST files from Outlook 365

User Manual

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    • OST to PST
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    • OST to PST Converter
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    • OST to PST
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  • How it works?
    • OST to PST Converter
    • OST to Office 365 Migration
    • OST to Exchange Migration
  • Connect to Exchange server for multiple mailboxes migration
    • Connect with Global Admin
    • Connect to multiple users using CSV file
    • Connect using full access permission
    • Connect individual users for Single / Specific user Migration
  • Connect to Hosted Exchange for its Migration
    • Connect with Full Access permissions
    • Using multiple user credentials with CSV file
    • Connecting to Individual user for its migration
  • Connect to Office 365
    • Modern Authentication Using OAuth 2.0
      • Microsoft 365 modern authentication
      • Automatic Registration
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    • Connect with Global Admin
    • Connect to Office 365 with full access permission
    • Connect to Office 365 with CSV file option
    • Connect to Office 365 as single user mailbox
  • Set Exchange Server Impersonation rights
    • Exchange 2007 and below
    • Exchange 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019
    • Set using Exchange Server GUI
  • Knowledge Base
    • Corrupt OST file recovery
    • Unicode and ANSI OST format
    • Split OST file
    • Rebuild OST file
    • Exchange mailbox backup
    • Recover orphaned OST file
    • Recover all Exchange and Outlook OST files
    • Recover metadata and attachments
    • Export unlimited OST files to PST
    • Free OST file viewer
    • Granular recovery of OST file
    • Recover encrypted OST file
    • Recover deleted mailboxes from OST
    • Export email, calendars, contacts
    • Selective OST export
    • Migrate OST to Office 365
    • OST to Live Exchange
    • Outlook OST cannot be accessed
    • Log report
    • Fix Outlook not connecting to server error
    • Fix Outlook the set of folders cannot be opened
    • Fix Outlook not syncing error
    • Outlook Cached Exchange mode
    • Fix Outlook data file cannot be accessed
    • Fix the error Outlook inbox not updating
    • Your mailbox has been temporarily moved on Exchange server
    • Open OST file in Outlook
    • Repair corrupted OST files from Outlook 365
    • Save Outlook emails to hard drive
    • Import OST file into Outlook
    • Your Outlook data file cannot be configured
    • Errors have been detected in the OST
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Recovering email data from OST files

Outlook OST files are crucial for accessing mailbox items in an offline environment. However, when these files get corrupted, it can lead to serious issues and prevent users from accessing their mailbox data. The corruption of the OST file can be frustrating, especially for those who rely heavily on Outlook for their daily communication needs. In this article, we discuss how to repair corrupted Outlook OST files and get back access to your important mailbox data.

Before we start, let's understand what an OST file is and what can cause it to become corrupted.

What is an OST file in Outlook?

OST stands for Offline Storage Table, and it is a local copy of your mailbox data that is stored on your computer. This file is created automatically when you configure your Outlook account with Exchange server, and it enables you to access your mailbox data even when you are not connected to the internet. This functionality can be especially useful for those who travel frequently or have limited internet access.

QUICK LINKS

OST to Office 365 importerSave Outlook emails to hard driveExchange mailbox backupRecover orphaned OST fileRebuild OST fileOpen OST file in OutlookImport OST to Office 365

Repair corrupt OST file

Why is an OST file important?

When you are online, Outlook synchronizes the data in the OST file with the Exchange Server, ensuring that you have the most up-to-date information. This synchronization occurs automatically and transparently, allowing you to work seamlessly between online and offline environments.

Why is OST file corruption problematic?

OST file corruption can be a serious problem, as it can prevent you from accessing your mailbox data. Some of the most common causes of OST file corruption include sudden power failure, virus or malware attacks, improper Outlook termination, and large OST file size. When an OST file becomes corrupted, you may experience a range of issues, including:

  • Inability to open or access the mailbox data
  • Error messages when attempting to synchronize the OST file with the Exchange Server
  • Missing or incomplete mailbox data
  • Slow Outlook performance or freezing when working with the OST file
  • Missing emails and data loss

Why does an OST file become corrupt?

There are several reasons why an OST file can become corrupted. Some of the most common causes include:

  1. Sudden power failure: One of the most common reasons for OST file corruption is a sudden power failure. If a computer shuts down unexpectedly while Outlook is open or while it's syncing the OST file with the Exchange Server, the OST file can become corrupted.
  2. Virus or malware attacks: Viruses and malware can cause significant damage to computer systems, including OST files. If a virus or malware infects a computer, it can corrupt or delete data files, including the OST file.
  3. Improper Outlook termination: If Outlook is terminated improperly, such as when the program is forced to close or if the computer crashes, it can cause OST file corruption.
  4. Large OST file size: As an OST file grows in size, it can become more susceptible to corruption. This is because larger files are more complex and require more resources to manage, increasing the likelihood of errors or system crashes.
  5. Network connectivity issues: If a user experiences connectivity issues with the Exchange Server while Outlook is syncing the OST file, it can result in corruption.
  6. Outlook software issues: If there are issues with the Outlook software itself, such as outdated software, bugs or conflicts with other software applications, it can result in OST file corruption.
  7. Storage device issues: If there are issues with the storage device where the OST file is stored, such as a hard drive failure, it can cause OST file corruption.
  8. Human error: Accidentally deleting or moving files associated with the OST file, or making changes to the OST file outside of Outlook, can cause corruption.

How to repair and fix a corrupted OST file?

To repair a corrupted OST file, you can use a built-in utility like ScanPST.exe or a third-party software like EdbMails OST to PST converter. If the corruption is severe, or if built-in utilities are unable to repair the OST file, EdbMails can help recover and repair the OST file completely to make it usable again.

The following are some of the methods to repair Outlook data files from corruption.

Method 1: Use the Inbox Repair tool (ScanPST.exe)

Microsoft Outlook comes with a built-in Inbox Repair tool that can help repair corrupted PST and OST files. Here are the steps to use the Inbox Repair tool to repair a corrupted OST file:

  • Step 1: Close Outlook and related processes

    Ensure that Microsoft Outlook is closed and that there are no Outlook processes running in the background.

  • Step 2: Find the ScanPST.exe tool in your computer
    • The ScanPST.exe tool is a built-in repair utility in Microsoft Outlook.
    • The location of ScanPST.exe may vary depending on the version of Outlook you're using. However, it can usually be found in the Office installation folder.
    • The default location for this file is

      C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX\ScanPST.exe

    Note: Replace ‘XX’ with the version of Office installed on your computer (e.g., Office16 for Office 2016)

  • Step 3: Run the ScanPST.exe tool for OST repair
    • Double-click on ScanPST.exe to open it.
    • Click ‘Browse’ and select the OST file that you want to repair.
    • Click ‘Start’ to begin the scan process.
    • The ScanPST.exe tool will analyze the OST file and attempt to repair any errors it finds.
    • The tool scans the OST file and displays a summary of the scan results.
    • Click the ‘Repair’ to repair the issues.
    • After the repair process is complete, you can re-open Microsoft Outlook and check whether you are able to access your mailbox data.

      Run the ScanPST.exe tool

    Note: The Inbox Repair tool can only fix minor issues with the OST file. If your OST file is severely corrupted, this method may not be able to repair it. In that case, you may need to use EdbMails to fix Outlook OST corruption.

Method 2: Create a new OST file by reconfiguring the Outlook profile

If the previous method did not work, you can try creating a new OST file. Here are the steps to create a new OST file:

  • Step 1: Exit Microsoft Outlook and close related processes
    • Go to ‘File’ > and click ‘Exit’
    • Ensure that Microsoft Outlook is closed and that there are no Outlook processes running in the background.
  • Step 2: Rename the Corrupted OST file
    • Find the location of the corrupted OST file by going to ‘File’ > ’Account Settings’ > ‘Account Settings’ > ’Data Files’ > ‘Open File Location’

      open file location

    • Right-click on the file and select ‘Rename’.
    • Rename the file by adding .old to the end of the file name (e.g., MyFile.ost.old).
  • Step 3: Create a New Outlook Profile
    • Click on the Windows Start menu and search for ‘Control Panel’.
    • Click on the ‘Mail’ applet to open the Mail Setup dialog box.
    • Click the ‘Show Profiles’ button and then click the ‘Add’ button to create a new Outlook profile.

      create new outlook profile

    • Enter a name for the new profile and follow the prompts to set up your email account in the new profile.
  • Step 4: Start Outlook with the new profile
    • Once the new profile has been created, click on ‘OK’ to close the Mail Setup dialog box.
    • Open Microsoft Outlook and select the new profile you just created.
    • Outlook will begin creating a new OST file to replace the old one.
  • Step 5: Synchronize your mailbox with the server
    • After a new OST file has been created, Outlook starts synchronizing your mailbox with the Exchange Server.
    • Depending on the size of your mailbox, this process may take some time to complete.
    • After the synchronization process is complete, you can begin using Outlook as normal.

    Note: This method may result in the loss of some data that was not synchronized with the Exchange Server before the OST corruption occurred. It is therefore recommended to back up your mailbox data by converting the OST to PST file.

Method 3: Use EdbMails tool for Outlook OST repair

ScanPST can only repair minor OST file errors and cannot repair severe OST file corruption. In such cases, you can use a third-party tool such as EdbMails OST to PST converter, to repair and convert OST files to PST files. It is the best method for recovering deleted mailbox items, password-protected OST files, and large OST files without using ScanPST.

Here’s how you can repair a corrupted OST file with EdbMails

  • Step 1: Download EdbMails repair tool for OST
    • Download and install the latest version of the application on your computer.
    • Double-click EdbMails on your desktop to launch the software.
    • Select the OST recovery, conversion and migration option

      select the ost recovery option

  • Step 2: Browse the corrupt OST file to repair
    • In the ‘Select OST file to recover’ section, click ‘Browse’ and select the corrupted OST file that you want to repair.
    • Click ‘Continue’ to start the repair operation

      browse ost

  • Step 3: Preview the contents of the OST file
    • EdbMails starts scanning the selected OST file for errors and repairs them automatically.
    • After the repair operation is complete, you can view specific items such as emails, notes, contacts, tasks and calendars from the preview pane.

      Select the mailboxes to Export

  • Step 4: Select the mail items and convert OST to PST
    • Select the mailbox items and folders that you want export from the OST file
    • Click ‘Export OST to PST file’ to start the Outlook data file conversion
    • Select the file location to save the output file. That’s it!
  • Step 5: Import and add the PST file in Outlook

    Finally, import the PST file into Outlook. After the import is complete, you will have access to all of the data that was exported from the OST file in the PST file format.

    • Open Outlook > go to ‘File’
    • In the 'Info' section, click on ‘Open & Export’
    • select ‘Import/Export’
    • In the ‘Import and Export Wizard’, select ‘Import from another program or file’ and click ‘Next’.
    • Select ‘Outlook Data File (.pst)’ and follow the steps to start importing the file into Outlook.

Conclusion

We discussed various methods to repair corrupted Outlook OST files. While the built-in Inbox Repair tool (ScanPST.exe) can fix minor issues with the OST file, EdbMails OST to PST converter is a better option for severe corruption and orphaned OST files. It is essential to keep a backup of your OST file to prevent any data loss in case of corruption. EdbMails can help you recover email data from orphaned, corrupted, damaged OST files and can also import OST to Office 365 and Live Exchange. It is compatible with all Windows and Outlook versions and maintains the exact folder structure and email data formatting during export and migration.

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