Manual Techniques to Fix Outlook OST Cannot be Accessed Error

All the Microsoft Exchange users who access the data of Outlook in offline mode are familiar with OST files. These OST files are created at the time of Exchange and Outlook synchronization. However, at times users need to face some issues with OST files due to the corruption in OST and encounter some errors, as Outlook OST cannot be accessed error. Therefore, in the upcoming part of this blog we will learn the methods to resolve this problem, but before that let us learn more about the error.

Few Error Message a User May Encounter

• Outlook.ost file is in use and could not be accessed
• The file outlook OST is in use by another application
• Outlook OST file cannot be opened

Factors Responsible For “Microsoft Outlook OST file cannot be accessed”

• Improper synchronization of OST with the Microsoft Exchange mailbox
• Due to some conflicting applications in Outlook
• Not authorized attempts to use the OST file
• Attempt of access the single OST file by numerous users
• Problem in internet connection

Method to fix Outlook Error OST File cannot be Accessed

Convert OST File to Some Other Reliable File Format

Extracting OST files to PST is one way to rectify the error. Users can perform this manually as well as using a trouble free solution.

Method 1

Run MS Outlook in safe mode & after this; follow these steps as mentioned below:

• Firstly, click on File, then on Open, which is followed by Import
• Now, choose “Import from another program or file” from the pop-up window that is displaying on the screen
• After this, in the next displayed window, choose ‘Outlook Data File (.pst) and then on Next
• In the next step, click on Browse & then choose the OST file , which you want to convert
• Choose the required option to replace and ignore or allow import of all the duplicate items
• Now, click on Next and then choose the option to save the resultant data files
• Finally, you need to click on Finish

Limitation: There are certain things to be noted while going through the manual method due to risks associated with it:

• In this process, there is a possibility of loss of crucial data
• The structure of the mailbox may get modified or lost.
• The process is lengthier therefore; users have to devote much time for the completion of the whole task.
• This is process cannot be done in MS Outlook versions newer than 2007

Therefore, due all these reasons users have to go for an automated method or third party tool. One such tool is as mentioned below:

OST to PST Converter

This is an innovative tool, which comes with the capability to convert OST to PST in an effortless, smooth and quick way. It can convert the data in bulk and without any file size limitation. Moreover, it can even repair the corrupted or damaged OST files easily. Users can split the resultant PST file if they want to. The filter options, make it easy for the user to choose the required email, instead of selecting the entire data. The software is compatible with all the versions of Windows Operating system and the installation of Outlook is optional to perform this task.

Method 2

Disable Cached Exchange Mode

As the matter of fact that Outlook OST file gets created in an automatic way, when Cached Exchange Mode is on. Therefore, turning it off may resolve the error “Outlook.ost file is in use and could not be accessed.” For this, perform these steps:

• Firstly, you need to quit MS Outlook via Task Manager in case it is running.
• Now, open Control Panel>>Mail >>Email Accounts
• After this, you can see an email address with a warning, which is under the Email tab ,highlight it and then choose the option of Change
• In this step, unmark "Use Cached Exchange Mode" and choose Next option. Then Finish
• You need to try launching the Microsoft Outlook once again.

Conclusion

The synchronization of Microsoft Outlook with Exchange Server results the creation of OST files. These files are prone to corruption and this corruption leads to error. One such error is Microsoft Outlook OST file cannot be accessed. In such situations, users want to know the method to resolve this issue, but it is hard to find a trustworthy method. Considering all of this, we have come with OST to PST Converter to fix the OST file cannot be accessed error.