How to Open Corrupt OST File in Microsoft Outlook

A lot of users prefer Outlook desktop application, which is especially useful by business professionals. In Microsoft Outlook as there are many premises error raised while opening it due to the corruption issue. Moreover, corruption happens in OST file due to different worms, network connectivity slows down, accidental deletion of the user profile on Exchange Server and so on. However, the corruption is generally a major reason due to which end users can not access their mailbox data via Outlook. Therefore, it is necessary to understand several reasons that help to resolve various OST Corruption while opening Outlook application. In the following segment, we are going to discuss a relevant method that helps to open corrupt OST file and Convert Exchange OST to PST in a simplified way. 

Reasons Behind OST File Corruption

Many users are dealing with a frustrating situation, which occurs randomly and become difficult to determine the cause of corrupt OST file. There are following causes discussed below: 

Hard Device Failure: If user hard drive has some bad sectors and Exchange OST files are saved on these sectors. Due to this reason, maybe users can only read the OST data Or it may be incorrect and full of errors. 

Network Connection Fails: When a user synchronizes their OST file with a server through the network connection, if network cables, routers, hubs and other devices constituting the network connection problem, then the synchronization process will abort and the OST file gets damaged or corrupted. 

Power Outage: When the users want to access or synchronize their OST files, all of sudden receives the power failure indication. Due to this reason, OST file has got corrupt or damaged. 

Malicious Infections: Many viruses can infect and damage Exchange OST file, which makes them inaccessible to authorized user. It is highly suggested to install good anti-virus software for Microsoft Outlook and Exchange email service. 

Abnormal Termination of Outlook: Let's suppose if the users shut down MS Outlook abnormally while opening, accessing or synchronizing the .ost file, then OST files are still prone to damage or corruption issue. 

Manually to Open an OST file in Microsoft Outlook

The OST file is an offline copy of the mailbox that already maintained on Exchange server therefore an option available to re-create the .ost file and try to download a copy of all items again. For this purpose, follow these below steps and then, access the OST files:

i. First, you must have to close & exit Outlook application

ii. Then, go to Start menu, click on Control Panel and clicking twice on Mail option

iii. Under the Mail Setup dialog box, a current profile is shown inside the title bar. In case a user wants to select different account and choose Show Profiles, then select the profile name again and press on Properties.

iv. From the dialog box of Mail Setup, select the E-mail Accounts 

v. After that, choose the Data Files tab, select the Exchange account and then, hit on Open File Location

For an Exchange account, the explorer wizard will open on the desired location of all data items. Both Account Settings, as well as Mail Setup dialog, remains open the file explorer window.

vi. Close both dialog boxes Mail Setup & Account Settings and then, return back to file explorer screen

vii. Under the file explorer window, choose the option of Exchange data file and then, click-right on it. After that, click the Delete option.

When the users start to re-open the MS Outlook, a new .ost file is created for this account.

Wisest Solution to Open Corrupt or Orphaned OST File
The above-stated method to rebuilt the OST files will not work properly if the server gets down or unavailable due to some crashes or disasters. But with a third-party tool the users can recover their mailboxes even from damaged OST files. Thus, the users can use this commercial software for repairing an inaccessible OST file. But be sure that the selected software is compatible with Outlook version while opening OST data items. This software helps to avoid all file corruption errors and recovers the OST data back. 

Final Thoughts: 
While users are trying to open their Outlook mailbox all of sudden their OST file gets corrupted or damaged. As in above section, we have discussed some common reasons and a manual way for recreating the OST data back in Outlook. Also, recommended to opt a relevant solution named as Microsoft OST to PST Converter Software in such a way to avoid severe corruption issues. In addition, Moreover, it is designed as possible to open and repair corrupt .ost file in Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 account without any kind of data loss.