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Create a New Outlook Data File by Renaming the Current One

Problem

Sometimes problems with Outlook are due to corruption in its local Data File.

Microsoft has a ScanPST.exe file that can be used to fix problems.

But it's easy and more thorough to just have the file recreated.

Verify Outlook is configured for Cached Exchange Mode

Click Outlook's File Menu, click the Account Settings button and then the Account Settings choice.  

Click the Data Files tab.

If the Location shows Online, you don't have Cached Exchange Mode set.

If there's a location, you do have a local data file.

This will take some time

Note that copying down all the data could ½ hr or up to to multiple hours.  It depends on how much data there is, your Internet bandwidth and computer power.

Outlook will be mostly unusable during that time.  

You will probably want to do it at the end of the day.

Steps

In Outlook, click File > Account Settings > Account Settings and click the Data Files Tab.
Select the data file and click Open File Location.
Mine is here, C:\Users\shellym\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook


Close Outlook and rename the .OST file.

Open Outlook and it will recreate it.

Leave your PC on, with Outlook running and connected to the Internet.

It could take a few hours.

Support

If you have any trouble going through the steps or would like help, please call Avidian Prophet Technical Support at 855-284-3426 x2. 

Or you can email Support@Avidian.com.

Or you can create a Support ticket here.  You don't need to login, you can just click Next.

Choose files or drag and drop files
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  1. Shelly McNaught

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