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What is Outlook OST File and Where is OST File Located?

  author
Published By Mohit Jha
Nimisha Ramesh
Approved By Nimisha Ramesh
Published On March 18th, 2023
Reading Time 4 Minutes Reading

Have you heard about OST file, created in Outlook email client. In this article find out the answer of What is Outlook OST file and Where is OST file located?

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What is Outlook OST File?

Outlook OST file stands for Offline Storage Table and automatically created by Microsoft Outlook in Windows OS for developing a connection with Microsoft Exchange server. OST file allows a user to use the Microsoft Exchange Cached or Offline mode, so a user can access their emails without staying connected to the Microsoft Exchange server. Whenever new emails are received by the Exchange server, Microsoft Outlook will synchronize the OST file with the Microsoft Exchange server. The Outlook OST file helps a user to work in offline mode whenever the internet connection or server get down or interrupt.

When a user is working in an Offline mode, Microsoft Outlook created an exact copy of the mailbox on Microsoft Exchange Server named as Offline folders with OST file format. Each and every modification made while working in offline mode is automatically synchronized when Microsoft Outlook is connected to Microsoft Exchange Server. Using the send/receive command, a user can perform send or receive functions and copy the changes which were made while working in offline mode on Microsoft Outlook. During this process, permanently deleted Outlook OST items are removed from the Microsoft Exchange server’s copy as well.

Many users have some query about how to View OST File without connected with Microsoft Exchange server and how to find Outlook OST file location in the local machine. Here’s the solution.

Where is OST File Located?

Microsoft Outlook OST file is offline storage table which stored in the local machine. Here we find out the answer of where is OST file located on a local machine in Windows and Mac OS.

Outlook OST files default location on Windows XP OS

Microsoft Outlook 2010: My Documents\Outlook Files

Microsoft Outlook 2007 or earlier versions: C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Outlook OST files default location on Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 10 OS

Outlook 2019: C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Outlook 2013 & 2016: C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Outlook 2010: Documents\Outlook Files

Outlook 2007 or earlier versions: C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Outlook OST files default location on Mac OS

Outlook 2011 database file: ~/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2011 Identities/Main Identity/

Outlook 2011 storage folders: ~/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2011 Identities/Main Identity/Data Records

How to Find Outlook OST File Location?

Follow the mentions step to finding out the solution of where is OST file located in Microsoft Outlook 2010, 2007 and 2003:

1. “Start Microsoft Outlook” (any 2010, 2007 or 2003)

2. On the Tool Menu, click on “Account Settings

Outlook 2019 OST File Location

3. In the list, select “Microsoft Exchange Server“, and then click on “Change” option

Outlook 2016 OST File Location

4. “Change E-mail Account” dialog box performs

Outlook 2013 OST File Location

5. Click on “More Settings“. The “Microsoft Exchange” dialog box performs

Outlook 2010 OST File Location

6. Click on “Advanced” tab. The view of the “Microsoft Exchange” dialog box gets changed

Outlook 2007 OST File Location

7. Click on the “Offline Folder File Settings” button. The “Offline Folder File Settings” dialog box performs:

Outlook 2003 File Location

8. The dialog box is having “Outlook OST file location” in the “File” field

9. Outlook OST file is usually located at “C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\outlook.ost

10. Just “copy” the “Outlook OST file path“.

This gives you Outlook OST file location.

Conclusion

In this informative article, you would found what is Outlook OST file and Where is OST file located and how to find OST file location. Microsoft Outlook having two file type one is PST and second is OST file. Also, discover how to split OST file and merge OST file.