OST File – The Outlook Data File

Offline Storage Table (Commonly known as OST File) is an offline Outlook data file. This file can easily be recognized by its file extension i.e. “.ost”. Microsoft Exchange Server makes use of these OST files that allows its users to work with their email messages and other relevant data even when they are not connected to the Exchange Server (whatever may be the reason).

 

These offline Outlook data files allow the users to continue their work of modifying or managing their email messages etc. even when there is no connectivity with the Exchange Server. All of these data automatically gets synchronized when the connectivity with the server is regained and Outlook is used. When this new file is synchronized the permanently deleted data is also deleted from the server. OST files are the mirror image of user’s mailbox.

Advantages of  OST Files: -

1. OST files are mirror images i.e., exact copy of user's mailbox data.
2. Outlook OST files enable users to work on their email messages and other data in the offline mode.
3. Users can make any kind of modification in their email messages, data, other relevant files, etc.
4. OST files prove to be very useful in case of downtime i.e, when the server is low. To handle the work in such inevitable situations, OST files prove to be the most easily available tool.  

Location of OST files: -

You can find your OST file by going to the following location in Windows 7 operating system: -

C:\Document and Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook