have new outlook installation use existing ost file

Question

Hi,

I'm running Outlook standalone (installed from Office 365) and have an OST file. My computer crashed completely - won't boot - but luckily I have regular backups. Got new computer, installed Outlook. I want to just point Outlook at the existing .ost file so as to recover rules, junk whitelists, CALENDAR, formatting, on-and-on.

However, the new Outlook insists on treating me like a brand new user. Any attempt to create a new profile starts with "enter your email", etc. I tried doing that and then replacing the Outlook-generated .ost with my previous one, from my backup. No luck.

Please Help!!! I shouldn't have to lose everything anytime I reinstall Outlook!!

thanks.

Answer 1

The OST file is an encrypted file, It is a replica of your online mailbox; you cannot import or point the inaccessible OST file to the same or another Outlook account in any condition. Things you can do: If you have a backup of your mailbox, you can import it into a new Outlook profile though Import and Export Wizard. But in case of any discrepancy on the backup PST file, such as a missing folder or items missing rules, calendar, contacts etc. You use the local save OST file, convert it to PST file format through third party tools such as removed by moderator

That will help you to restore, you’re all rules, missing items, and deleted items that in the new Outlook account.

Answer 2

Hi @fred smith ,

What type od account are you using? Is it an IMAP/O365 account?

Outlook Data Files (.ost) are always copies of items that are saved on a mail server and don’t need to be backed up like Outlook Data Files (.pst). OST file let users work offline and synchronize changes the next time they connect. It’s associated with the current Outlook mail profile and cannot be reused on another computer with a different mail profile.

If you could be able to access your account then, OST file automatically recreated locally in your new system.

More information about Outlook Data files for your reference: Introduction to Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost)

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Answer 3

thanks to you all. I converted the OST to PST and imported. It was still a mess (appointment organizer was "UNKNOWN" and all appointments' details were missing). And, of course all, other settings, like rules, view definitions, fonts, preferences, etc. are lost.

That MS thinks this is "OK" is beyond me. Nearly all other apps on my PC provide a way to completely backup and restore and don't require me to manually "prepare to restore", which isn't possible after a sudden crash. I suppose I'm expected to periodically - and manually - export my OST to a PST?? Outlook should separately maintain restorable data, like preferences, on the file system so that my backup strategy of automatic, continual, background disk imaging will allow me to restore Outlook when disaster strikes.

And if OST-to-PST conversion is a necessary evil, then MS should provide the converter!!! After all, it's sole purpose is to compensate for Outlook's deficiencies.