Email Sync Problems

How to Rebuild Outlook OST Files After Deletion

Ayan Masood Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recreate an Outlook OST file that was deleted or corrupted.

How to Rebuild Outlook OST Files After Deletion

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: An OST file was removed by a third-party tool like Norton or became corrupted, and the user needs to restore their local email cache.
Observed behavior: The OST file is missing from the system and does not appear in the Recycle Bin, preventing Outlook from accessing the local offline mailbox.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and your email account credentials ready, as Outlook will need to download your mailbox data directly from the mail server.

Solution 1Recommended

Recreate the OST File via Mail Settings in Control Panel

Force Outlook to rebuild the local offline cache by verifying or creating your email profile in the Windows Control Panel.

An OST file is simply a local, offline cache of your online mailbox data. When it is deleted, the actual emails remain safe on your provider's email server.

Because of this architecture, you do not need to recover the deleted OST file from the Recycle Bin. You only need to prompt Outlook to generate a new one and sync your data.

Open Control Panel

Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type 'Control Panel', and press Enter. Change the view in the top right corner to 'Large icons' or 'Small icons'.

Access Mail Settings

Locate and click on 'Mail (Microsoft Outlook)' to open the Mail Setup dialog box.

Show Outlook Profiles

In the Mail Setup window, click the 'Show Profiles' button to view a list of your existing email profiles.

Verify or Re-add the Account

Select your primary Outlook profile. If your account is listed, confirm it is set as the default. If it is missing, click 'Add', type a name for the new profile, and follow the prompts to enter your email address and password.

Launch Outlook and Sync

Close the Control Panel and open Microsoft Outlook. Outlook will connect to the email server, automatically create a new OST file, and begin downloading your mailbox data.

Recreate the OST File via Mail Settings in Control Panel

Syncing May Take Time: Depending on the size of your mailbox and your internet speed, rebuilding the OST file may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Leave Outlook open until the bottom status bar displays 'All folders are up to date'.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Lightweight Alternative to Microsoft Office?

While Outlook manages your emails, dealing with heavy Microsoft Office files or expensive subscription plans can be frustrating. Switch to WPS Office for a fast, free, and lightweight solution for all your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Open Your Attachments: Launch WPS Office to immediately open, edit, and save any Microsoft Office documents you receive via email.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Free and lightweight suite that consumes significantly fewer system resources.Seamlessly integrates with your daily workflow to handle email document attachments effortlessly.Built-in PDF tools let you view, edit, and convert PDF documents in one place.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my deleted OST file in the Windows Recycle Bin?

When third-party antivirus software (like Norton) or system cleanup tools remove temporary cache files, they often bypass the Windows Recycle Bin entirely. Because an OST file is just a synchronized copy of server data, the system treats it as a temporary file that can be permanently purged.

Will I lose my emails, contacts, or calendar events if the OST file is deleted?

No. Since an OST file is strictly an offline copy of your Exchange, IMAP, or Office 365 mailbox, your actual data is securely stored on the cloud server. Reconnecting Outlook will simply redownload everything back to your computer.

Where is the newly created OST file saved on my computer?

By default, Outlook saves your OST file in your local app data folder. You can easily find it by opening Outlook, navigating to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, clicking the Data Files tab, selecting your account, and clicking 'Open File Location'.

Can I manually move my OST file to a different drive?

Yes, but it requires creating a symbolic link or modifying the Windows Registry using the 'ForceOSTPath' key before setting up the profile. For most users, it is safer to leave the OST file in the default directory to prevent synchronization errors.

Outlook & Email Problems