How to seamlessly adjust the OST file location in Windows Outlook? Discover a swift method to accomplish this task without compromising Outlook's performance or encountering any potential risks.
The OST file, a variant of the PST file in Windows Outlook, serves a distinct purpose and operates slightly differently. Starting from Outlook 2016 and later versions, it is automatically utilized with Exchange, Outlook.com, and IMAP accounts when in offline cached mode.
Essentially, the local OST file on your computer downloads all the necessary data from servers (or as specified during account setup). This enables users to effortlessly navigate and work within Outlook, accessing downloaded emails even when in offline mode.
Read Related Articles
Common Issues with Big OST Files in Windows Operating Systems.
But an issue arises. While older versions of Outlook, utilizing the PST format by default, provide a straightforward method to alter the default location for the PST file, changing the default location for an OST file is not as straightforward. The OST file is automatically saved within the Profile directory associated with the account, and unlike PST files, there's no direct option to modify this default location. As the OST file accumulates a significant amount of data from downloaded emails, it can grow quite large, potentially causing performance issues and errors when the storage disk is unable to handle such massive data files. During such instances, it becomes practical to relocate the file to another drive on your PC that can accommodate its size.
However, altering the location for an OST file can be somewhat intricate. Some might suggest adjusting registry settings in Windows, but we advise against it due to the associated risks. Making changes through the registry is not natively supported by Windows Outlook when it comes to changing the location for an OST file.
Fortunately, there's a clever workaround that achieves the same outcome. In essence, Windows Outlook will still recognize the location as the default, but you can physically move it elsewhere. This can be accomplished using a Windows feature known as a "Symbolic Link.
Relocate OST File in Window Outlook by “Symbolic Links”
While symbolic links are commonly employed in more advanced IT challenges, one of their applications can be seamlessly adapted for our specific purpose without significant modifications.
Symbolic links involve creating a connection for a folder or file to another location. Although this might resemble a typical shortcut in Windows, for our objective, it functions in a symbolic manner. In simpler terms, the application continues to interact with the OST file from its default location just as it normally would, but it does so through the symbolic link, while the actual file is relocated to a different location.
Outlook will access the file in its usual manner, yet Windows will automatically redirect it to the new location of the OST file without any impact on Outlook or its functionality with the OST format. The noteworthy aspect is that this process remains transparent and concealed. It's important to note that there are two types of links: soft and hard links. For our purpose, it is advisable to create a soft or symbolic link.
Let's walk through the process of creating a symbolic link for your OST file:
Manually move the OST file to your desired location. You can achieve this by using the Copy and Paste method, and then either delete the original file or keep it as a backup in an alternative location for added security.
Open the command prompt in administrator mode. To do this, click the 'Start' button, type CMD, right-click the command prompt, and select 'Open as administrator.'
Input the following code into the command prompt: mklink link target. Here, 'link' represents the location of your original file, and 'target' signifies the destination where you relocated the file in the initial step.
Press 'Enter' in the command prompt to execute the command, and subsequently, close the command prompt.
This process involves the creation of a symbolic link for the OST file. While the file remains visible within the original location in the Outlook profile, it functions as a link directing to the new location. Symbolic links lack any distinctive symbols or signs that identify them as links; they appear as regular files. However, in reality, they do not physically exist and occupy no space on your drive.
To reverse the symbolic link, simply delete the created 'link' and then relocate the file to its initial location. This action will automatically remove the symbolic link generated through the command prompt. This method provides a more straightforward and secure approach to relocating the OST file in Windows Outlook, avoiding the complexities associated with registry modifications. I hope this guide proves helpful for managing your OST files effectively.
Nice article you can also read the following blogs:
OST to PST
Shoviv OST File
OST File Conversion
Get OST to PST Converter