OST or Offline Folder File is a storage system in Outlook which makes it possible for users to work offline and send and receive emails through the Microsoft Exchange Server. Although OST file play an important part in data management in Outlook, it is vulnerable to corruption due to various internal and external factors. Whenever such an issue occurs it is important for the user to retrieve all the important information from the corrupt OST file.
An OST file may become corrupt due to various internal and external factors. If the user abruptly shuts down Outlook then corruption of OST file is likely to occur. Moreover, various external factors like viruses, spyware and malware contribute to the damage of an OST file. An OST file may also get corrupted if there is a failure in network connection or a sudden power outage. An OST file can also get corrupt if there is a synchronization error. Whenever an OST file gets corrupted the data stored in it becomes inaccessible and you might require the help of some specialized tools to properly restore the lost data.
The most effective way to restore corrupt data from an OST file is to convert it to PST (Personal Storage Table) format. OST to PST conversion is possible if you can gain access to the data stored in the OST file. OST Integrity Tool is a free integrated tool provided by Microsoft to retrieve data from a damaged OST file which you can readily use. However, you will require the help of external third party softwares to effectively convert your damaged files from OST to PST.
In many cases where a user faces problem with Server database or user mailbox, the main solution for this problem is to recreate the user profile. However, even after recreating a mailbox the user might still have difficulty using the file in a straight line. Therefore it should be first converted into PST file and then link it with the mailbox. If you try to open the corrupted file using user profile the following error can appear:
“The file cannot be used because it was created for a different user.”
If such an error occurs the data stored in the OST file becomes completely unusable and all your important emails, notes, contacts and tasks will become inaccessible to you. It is therefore necessary for an effective OST to PST file conversion so that you can access all your valuable information. For this you would require the help of effective third party software such as “DataNumen Exchange Recovery,” which is capable of converting damaged OST file to PST and thereby recovering all your important data.