There are several reasons why an Outlook OST file may fail to open on a local drive, primarily due to corruption or issues with the Outlook profile. Here are the key factors and solutions:
Reasons for OST File Issues
- Corruption: The OST file can become corrupted due to system crashes, malware infections, or improper shutdowns, leading to errors when attempting to open it.
- Large File Size: If the OST file exceeds size limits, it may cause Outlook to hang or crash, preventing access.
- Network Issues: Problems with connectivity to the Exchange server can result in synchronization errors, making the OST file inaccessible.
- Outdated Software: Using an outdated version of Outlook may lead to compatibility issues with the OST file.
Solution 1 ( Delete and Recreate the OST File )
- Close Outlook.
- Navigate to the OST file location (typically found at C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook).
- Delete or rename the corrupted OST file.
- Restart Outlook; it will create a new OST file and resync with the server.
Solution 2 ( Use ScanPST Tool )
- Locate and run the ScanPST.exe tool, which is included with Outlook.
- Follow the prompts to scan and repair the OST file. This tool can fix minor corruption issues 4.
- Create a New Outlook Profile:
- Open the Control Panel and navigate to Mail settings.
Solution 2 ( Use OST Recovery Software )
- Download the WebbyAcad OST recovery tool.
- Add the Outlook OST orphan file to the " ADD FILE " button.
- Select the File Format, Choose one from PST, MBOX, TGZ, VCF, HTML, PDF, EML, EMLX, XML, IMAP, and 30+ different file-supporting formats.
- Set the file-saving location.
- Export the file as the last step
Create a new profile and configure your email account again. This often resolves persistent issues related to corrupted profiles 5.
By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and resolve issues preventing your OST file from opening in Outlook.