Importance of OST

OST is a local copy of your Exchange mailbox,Outlook versions 2002 and earlier have 2 GB
which is available on your computer’s hardlimitation for OST. When OST reaches or crosses
disk. OST contains all information and data similarthis limit, it may get damaged leading into the loss
to the data stored in your mailbox on Exchangeof emails, notes, contacts, etc. In the scenario,
server. It contains everything like email folders,when OST is having problem, we suggest you to
contacts, distribution lists, notes, journals, drafts,use OST to PST converter tool for repairing the
to do list, etc. Using the OST file, you can workdamaged OST file and converting the repaired
offline with Outlook. When you select to workOST file into PST. While using OST to PST
offline, a file with the .ost extension gets createdconverter tool, you need to provide the location
on your computer’s hard disk.of the damaged OST file. Depending on the
You can work in offline mode similarly as youversion of Windows operating system, location of
work in online mode that is you can create emails,OST can be different. Following are the location of
delete emails, create drafts, create calendarOST file on various Windows operating systems:
items, write notes, etc. Whatever the work youOST location in Windows 95, 98, and ME:
do in offline mode, it will be reflected in your“C:WindowsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook”
mailbox on Exchange server. However, all changesOST location in Windows NT, 2000, XP, and 2003
appear in the mailbox only when you go online. As“C:Documents and Settingsuser nameLocal
soon as, you are connected to Internet, OutlookSettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook”
synchronizes the OST file with Exchange serverOST location in Windows XP:
and work done during the offline mode now“C:Usersuser
appears in the mailbox. While synchronizing withnameAppDataLocalMicrosoftOutlook”
Exchange server, a log file is created containingDepending on the operating system that you are
information about the synchronization process.using with Outlook, you can search
This file helps you find the cause in case theabove-specified locations for finding OST. An OST
synchronization process is failed.to PST converter tool while repairing the
OST may fail to synchronize with Exchangedamaged OST file maintains the formatting and
server due to many reasons like Exchange serverstructure of emails, contacts, calendar items, etc.
is crashed, OST is damaged, etc. The OST fileTherefore, the repaired items can be used as is.
can be damaged when exceeds its maximum size.There is no need to reform the recovered items.