Word 2024 opens at startup .ost file from Outlook 2024 - why?

Duncan 56 Reputation points
2025-06-12T17:48:07.15+00:00

From time to time my .OST gets corrupted, so I have to delete the .OST file and have to download all the mails from my Exchange 2016 server.

The .OST file nevers gets corrupted before, the first time it gets corrupted was two days after de-installation of Office 2016 and installation of the new Office 2024.

When it gets corrupted and I close Outlook and try to open Word 2024 without repairing the .OST file first, Word 2024 also complains about the corrupted .OST file.

WTH is this possible? Word tries to open the .OST file?

In my Event-Log I found:
Eine Beschädigung der Datenbank wurde erkannt, und der Prozess wurde beendet.

Prozess: "WINWORD.EXE" (c60.2350)

Version: 16.0.17932.20360

Datei: "C:\Users\Duncan\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook******@test-domain.de.ost"

Zuletzt: "<unknown>"

Datenbankversion: 36 (3)

Kontext: 10037001

Details:

BCRead(@D6E120000): Expected (bid=7033F08,cb=20353,cbUncompressed=65512,dwCRC=5B2B0269,wSig=5619,wType=0002), but read (bid=7033F08,cb=20353,cbUncompressed=65512,dwCRC=6B9D9E1E,wSig=5619,wType=0002)

The error message is in german language, it says: A database corruption was detected, and the process was terminated.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows
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  1. Austin-H 3,285 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-06-13T05:15:26.35+00:00

    Dear @Duncan,  

    Thank you for reaching out Q&A forum! 

    We understand how frustrating it can be when your .OST files become corrupted and Word 2024 attempting to access the same .OST file.  

    Based on our testing environment, when attempting to open an exported .OST file using Microsoft Word, an error occurs indicating that the file type is not supported. Therefore, we would like to understand why Microsoft Word is attempting to open .OST files, which are specifically designed for use with Outlook.  

    To better assist you, could you please provide us a screenshot about the error or Word complains you received?  

    Understanding your use case in more detail will help us recommend the most efficient and compatible solution.  

    We appreciate your response and look forward to assisting you further.  


    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".    

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