Outlook is using an Old Copy of Your Outlook Data File (.OST). Exit Outlook Delete the File

Bharat BhushanSolution Manager
Experts in data recovery from corrupt Exchange mailboxes, SQL database, and Outlook emails.
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Today as you open your Outlook, you witness an error message: “Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook Data File…”. Probably, Outlook is accessing an old OST file.

Above message is displayed when Outlook is unable to open latest OST file due to an issue with Outlook Email client or Windows OS.



OST or Offline storage Tables are located in C-Drive of your computer: C:\Users\<your login
name>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.


The best way to resolve this error is to delete old Offline Storage Tables or OST file. Do not forget to backup your OST file in the form of PST file, before its deletion for the simple reason that in case there is data loss, you can retrieve data in MS Outlook though the backed up PST file. OST to PST file conversion is easily possible with Stellar OST to PST Converter software.


Below instructions will help you delete the OST file:


Since Outlook OST is hidden file and available in hidden folder, the first thing to do is to unhide this file.


Exit Outlook and follow below instructions:


For Window 7


Step 1.Click on start Button or Open Computer
Step 2.Click on File  and then on Organize followed by Folder and Search Options
Step 3.Select the View tab
Step 4.Tick the option against "Show hidden files, folders and drives"
Step 5.Uncheck the option to "Hide extensions for known file types"
Step 6.Click OK.


For Window 10


Step 1.Open File Explorer
Step 2.Click View
Step 3.Check the boxes for "File name extensions" and "Hidden items"


Now you are able to view previously hidden OST File. Steps to delete OST File:


1) Go to the Computer or File Explorer window,
2) Navigate to C:\Users\<your login name>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
3) Delete files with .ost extension
4) Take care to not delete any file with .pst extension.


Restart Outlook; the OST file will be recreated.


Open Outlook to check if the error: “Outlook is using an Old Copy of Your Outlook Data File (.OST). Exit Outlook Delete the File” is still showing.


Quite possible that you are stuck with same problem even after deleting the old OST file, meaning the root cause of the problem was not diagnosed properly in the beginning. Outlook uses an old copy of OST file when data is not encrypted between Microsoft Office Outlook and Microsoft Exchange server. Below mentioned steps will help resolve this error:


Step 1. Go to Computers. Click on Control Panel and open the Mail item
Step 2. Select show Profiles and select your Profile, followed by Properties
Step 3. Click on Email Accounts
Step 4. Select View or change existing e-mail accounts, and then click Next
Step 5. Go to Microsoft Exchange Server Account and select Change
Step 6. A dialog box appears with that features Mailbox server and User name; click on More Settings
Step 7. In Microsoft Exchange server dialog box, click on Security tab
Step 8. Select Encrypt data between Microsoft Office Outlook and Microsoft Exchange Server check box, and then click OK.


Once the steps are completed, the error message “Outlook is using an Old Copy of Your Outlook Data File (.OST). Exit Outlook Delete the File” should resolve.


But what if the problem remains after following resolution steps for “deleting OST file” and “encrypting data” processes? There’s no need to dishearten due to Outlook not opening.


Error message of Outlook data file not opening could have been resolved if a copy of converted OST file in PST format was saved in the system before. Offline storage Table or OST cannot be accessed on any other system but Personal storage Table or PST file can be imported to any system having MS Outlook application.


Stellar OST to PST Converter enables OST file conversion to PST. PST file is imported to Outlook and Outlook content can be accessed.


How it Works


The three-step conversion process helps you select, scan and convert OST File to PST format to import in Outlook.


1. Click on Select Outlook File or OST when location is known. Alternately, click on Find Outlook file button if location is not known.
2. Click on Scan Now button to scan OST file. OST file is converted to PST format along with scanning. Time of scan is proportionate with size of OST. A preview is available to verify mail contents
3. Save the converted PST file at preferred location by clicking on Browse button and selecting the destination path.


Import PST into Outlook and access mail contents. Take care to delete previous OST file before importing PST into that Outlook.


The added advantages


  • Converts all components of emails – emails, contacts, calendars, notes, journals and more.
  • Your encrypted OST file is also recovered into PST format
  • Tech version promotes direct conversion of OST file into Office 365 format.
  • Converter tool supports almost all versions of MS Office 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 (XP), 2000.


To Conclude


OST files should be saved into PST format at regular intervals to resolve errors like “Outlook is using an old copy of your outlook data file (.ost). Exit outlook delete the file”. Since most users are not aware of this option, they are subjected to such errors and have to face difficulties arising out of blocked Outlook-communications. Organizations have large number of Outlook users. If data of one user gets corrupt, communication channel is disrupted affecting the entire team and most of the time even more. Alternately rely on Stellar OST to PST Converter tool to fix such errors and enjoy uninterrupted Outlook access.  

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Bharat BhushanSolution Manager
Experts in data recovery from corrupt Exchange mailboxes, SQL database, and Outlook emails.

Comments (1)

Brian BEE Topic Advisor, Independent Technology Professional
CERTIFIED EXPERT

Commented:
The very fact that you are using an OST file indicates that you are connected to a server. Why on earth would you need to pay for a tool to convert the OST to PST when all you have to do is reconnect to the server and rebuild the OST?

If you have the error even after removing the OST, how is it going to help by having a PST copy? You still haven't solved the problem of being able to open Outlook and retrieve new email.

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