Guide to Change OST File Location Outlook 365

Manisha Rawat

Updated On - October 19, 2022

How to Change the OST File Location in Outlook?

Offline Storage Table, popularly known as OST, is an Outlook Data File and is important to save the Outlook data for offline use. OST allows users to access the Outlook data even when not connected to the server. Recently, I have come across many requests where users want to change the location of the OST file on their systems. Hence, in this blog, we are going to discuss how to change the location of the OST file of an Exchange account.

Why do you need to change the OST file location?

Although it is not recommended to change the default location of an OST file on your system, there are situations when the users may need to perform this. Mostly users try to change the OST file location on their systems to save the storage space, especially in the cases, where the C drive of a system is almost full and users need to take a lot of files and folders out from there.

You can easily find the OST file’s location in your system by following the below-mentioned paths:

• drive:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

• drive:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

How to change the OST location?

Let’s now discuss how to change it location.

Set the ForceOST value

One way to change the OST location is by using the ForceOST registry key. In this method, you would first require to remove the Exchange account to proceed with the settings. If you have not configured your account yet, then don’t do it. Follow the below-mentioned steps first:

1. Start with pressing the Win + R key together to open the Run window.
2. In the search box of the Run window, type regedit and press the Enter key.
3. Now, you need to follow a path that leads to Outlook, depending on your Outlook version. Listing below the paths:

Outlook 2016

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook

Outlook 2013

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook

Outlook 2010

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook

Outlook 2007

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook

Outlook 2003

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook

4. Now, you need to generate a string value. It will be the same for all, which is ForceOSTPath. As you create one, make a right click on the ForceOSTPath value and click on the Modify option.
5. Now, mention the value type and value path.

Value Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ

Value Path: Path of the storage folder, where you want to save your OST.

So, after following the above-mentioned steps, you can finally configure the Exchange account again in your Outlook. And from now on, all your OST files will be saved at the location you have selected. Using this method, you can change the OST file location in Outlook for Office 365 accounts also.

Using Outlook Account Settings

Another way to change the location of the OST files is by making some changes in the account settings and providing a new storage path. In this method, we first disable the cached Exchange mode, set a new location for the OST and then again we will enable the cached Exchange mode. Let’ start:

Part 1

1. Open Outlook and click on the File tab.
2. Now, in the file’s menu, go to the Account Settings and again select Account Settings from there.
3. Now, in the Account Settings window, click on the Data Files.
4. In the Data Files menu, select the account you want to work on and click on the Settings option mentioned above.
5. In the new Microsoft Exchange window, go to the Advanced tab and look for Use Cached Exchange Mode. Once located, uncheck the box next to it.

Note: You will get a notification stating You must restart Outlook for these changes to take effect. Click on Ok and do the same.

Part 2

1. Now, again, open the Outlook and follow the same procedure until the Data files tab.
2. Now, select the account and click on Settings.
3. Click on the Advanced tab and go to the Outlook Data File Settings.
4. Now, click on the Disable Offline Use and then click on Yes when asked.

Part 3

After following the Part 2 steps, you will again need to resume from the Advanced tab.

1. In the Advanced tab select Outlook Data File Settings and browse the new location for your OST file.
2. Once added the location, click on OK.
3. Now, in the Advanced tab, check the box next to Use Cached Exchange Mode and click on OK.

Once over with all the steps successfully, restart Outlook and the location of the OST files will be changed.

Conclusion:
In this blog, we have discussed what OST is, where to find it, and how to change the location of the OST files. However, if you want to convert the OST file to PST or OST to MSG format, we would recommend using Recoveryfix for OST to PST for the same, as this is the best tool available in the market for such conversions. Try the free trial version of the tool to get the better insights. Hope this blog helped you!