When we use Microsoft Exchange Server account, all data are saved and delivered to the server. We can configure Outlook to keep a local copy of data items in the Exchange Server as a file called OST. It is possible with the use of Cached Exchange Mode. We can synchronize.ost file with Exchange server when connection is available. These offline folders are the cached replica of the mailbox folder running on Exchange sever. There are many scenarios where errors occurring in OST file make it inaccessible. In this blog, we mainly concentrate on the offline files to find out how to fix errors in Outlook OST files.
When a mishap occurs on Microsoft Exchange Server such as server crashes, server database crash, OST file present in client system unable to synchronize with Exchange Server. Due to this system start showing errors.
The second reason of encountering the errors is because of corruption in OST file.
There are many reasons behind the corruption of OST files. But generally categorizes in two categories:
Hardware Reasons
Data Storage Failure: When there is some problem in hard drives or in the sector of the hard drive where OST file is stored, it starts showing errors.
Network Failure: When there is some problem with the network, it gets difficult to synchronize OSTfile with Exchange Server because of this synchronization process will get aborted.
Power Failure: while synchronizing and accessing our OST file with exchange server, power failure occurs then it may damage OST file.
Malicious software can easily damage the OST files
Abnormal termination of Outlook
Errors may occur during synchronization of offline folder with server
Manual Way to Repair the OST Files
1st Method:There is Inbox Repair Tool (Scanost.exe) in our system when we install the Microsoft Outlook. The tool used to recover the OST files.Scanost.exe can be located in different places in system.
NOTE:
Must exit Outlook before using the Inbox Repair Tool
It does not support Outlook 2010/2013
2nd Method: By converting OST files to PST file we can recover Outlook OST emails because Inbox repair tool (Scanost.exe) does not support Outlook 2010/2013.
Limitation of Manual methods:
1. Recovered data is not in same state as it is, because the manual method cannot repair the corrupted data
2. Data loss is takes place, because the manual tool just removes the affected part and recover the affected part of OSR file
3. Time taking process
4. Scanost.exe does not support 2010/2013 Outlook versions
There are numbers of commercial tools in the markets that claim to recover OST files without loss of data, OST Recovery tool is one the software. The tools can convert OST data into PSR data. The software can recover permanently deleted items from OST and maintains the Metadata of all recovered items. Also, the tool has advanced options to split and filter the data.
Conclusion:After going through the all aspects of OST file recovery, it's not a tedious task to recover OST file unless one have all information about its Inbox Recovery Tools and commercial product available. By using these tools it becomes very easy to recover OST files.