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What is "Data Files"

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Anonymous
2022-02-25T00:14:56+00:00

When I go File>Account Settings>Account Settings - I see a pop up box for email, data files etc. What is the function of the data files? I have a imap account as the default email and I have an outlook.com account as the default data file but don't know if this is correct.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For education

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-03-03T15:06:30+00:00

    I am very confused. As I mentioned I have an imap account and an exchange account in desktop outlook. The imap account is my default mail and the exchange account in my default data file. Since I am having problems with duplicate emails, I thought I would change my default data file to my imap account to see if that fixes the issue. When I tried changing to the imap account I get the following message

    Why do I get this meesage when the file is not a PST file? I don't understand the statement about turning off cache mode in account settings.

    Please advise

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-02-25T02:08:10+00:00

    Hi Neil13764,

    Greetings

    Welcome to Microsoft Community Forum.

    When you add an email account to Outlook, a local copy of your information is stored on your computer. This feature allows you to access your previously downloaded or synchronized email messages, calendar information, contacts, and tasks without an internet connection.

    Certain types of accounts, such as POP accounts, store their information in Outlook Data Files (.pst files). Outlook 365 accounts, Exchange accounts, IMAP accounts, and Outlook.com accounts store their information in Offline Outlook Data Files (.ost files).

    For more information see Introduction to Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost). I believe there is nothing wrong with your account but if you find contrasting information from this article and your account settings please feel free to share the screenshot and we will be happy to assist you further.

    I hope this information helps.

    Kind regards,

    Simbarashe

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-02-28T15:18:44+00:00

    Since I can't seem to get the insert image to work in the private message I have info below but blurred.

    Image

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-02-28T14:54:09+00:00

    Hello Neil13764,

    Apologies for late response. Kindly share a detailed screenshot of your email account File > account settings > account settings > email. via private message I have already initiated.

    Looking forward to your response.

    Kind regards,

    Simbarashe

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-02-25T13:46:20+00:00

    Thank you for the response.

    As I said I have an exchange account as my default data file and a imap account as my default email. I have a problem with having duplicate emails in my inbox. Randomly I have duplicate emails (only in inbox) and if I click on a different mail box and then click back to the inbox the duplicate emails go away and I am left with only a single copy of each email.

    Is my setup possibly causing the problem? Also, is there anything wrong if I make my imap account the default for email and data file. If so, can I just change it on the fly?

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