How to Rebuild or Recreate OST File in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013

Written By Rohan Wiese
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Microsoft Outlook stores a local copy of your mailbox data in an OST file. This file can access emails, calendars, and contacts even without an internet connection. However, OST files have synchronization issues and errors that can slow down Outlook or make data inaccessible. When such problems occur, the simplest and most effective solution is to recreate the OST file.

By doing so, Outlook downloads a clean version of your mailbox from the server and clears most issues. In this complete blog, we’ll explain why you may need to recreate an OST file and provide step-by-step methods to recreate OST File in MS Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2013.

Why Do the Users Need to Recreate an OST File?

An OST file acts as a temporary local storage that reflects the data stored on the Exchange or IMAP server. But over time, it may face issues that affect Outlook’s performance. Here are some common reasons why recreating OST becomes necessary:

This error arises due to sudden system shutdowns or because of oversized Outlook data file.
If the users do not update their emails, calendar events, or contacts, then it creates the sync issue.
In case you did the Outlook configuration incorrectly, then your OST file cannot work properly.
Along with that, a large or outdated OST file may slow down Outlook or cause frequent freezes.
If you rebuild the Outlook data file, it will help you reduce the file size and refresh the mailbox storage with ease.

Is it possible to recreate OST File Without Data Loss?

Yes, the option to recreate the OST file is safe in most cases. As you are aware, OST file is just a local copy of your mailbox stored on your computer. And the real data stays on the Exchange or IMAP server. When you delete or rename the OST file, Outlook will make a new one the next time you open it and download all your data again from the server.

But there is one exception. If the OST file is orphaned (meaning the Exchange server or your account is no longer available), Outlook cannot sync the data back. In that case, you need to use a professional OST recovery tool to rebuild Outlook data file and get your Outlook mailbox back.

Ways to Recreate OST File in MS Outlook in 2019, 2016, 2013

There are three reliable ways to recreate the OST files in Microsoft Outlook. Now, we will go through the steps to rebuild OST file in Outlook.

Method 01: Delete and Recreate the OST File Automatically

This one is the first move of ours to recreate OST file Outlook 2016 and other versions as well. It is a common one and still effective. But keep in mind that this method works in most cases when Outlook is connected to the Exchange or IMAP server.

Firstly, users should close Microsoft Outlook completely.
Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Now, type the following command and press Enter:
The command is: %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Outlook
Next, a window will appear to show your Outlook data files.
Now, you can locate the OST file associated with your account.
Simply delete the OST file and restart Outlook.

The above-mentioned steps will automatically create a new OST file and begin syncing data from the server.

Method 02: Create the New Outlook Profile

If the delete option does not work to solve the problem. Then, you should move to another method and create a new Outlook profile. It will help you to rebuild OST file Outlook 2016 and other Outlook versions as well.

Open the Control Panel on your computer.
After that, navigate to the Mail option >>Show Profiles.
Click Add and enter a name for the new profile.
Now, configure your email account details.
Once created, select the new profile as the default.
For future use, choose Always use this profile.
Restart Outlook – a new OST file will be generated under the new profile.

Note: This method resolves profile-related issues and ensures Outlook starts with a completely fresh setup.

Method 03: Rename Existing OST File and Restart Outlook

If the above-mentioned method does not work for you, then you can simply rename it and recreate OST file Outlook 2013, 2016, 2019, and others. Follow the given steps to rebuild

As usual, to initiate the steps, close Outlook.
Navigate to the OST file location: %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Outlook
Find your OST file, right-click on it, and select Rename.
Add “.old” at the end of the file name (for example, Outlook.ost → Outlook.ost.old).
Restart Outlook.
Outlook will not recognize the renamed file and will create a fresh OST file.

This method is safe since it keeps a backup of your old OST in case you need it later.

Problems You May Face with the Manual Methods

However, the manual solutions are effective, but they have some limitations you should be aware of:

These methods only work if the Exchange/IMAP server is available.
Also, the orphaned OST files cannot be recreated with manually.
When you reconfigure the Outlook profile, it can take time to process for multiple accounts.
Technical errors or missteps may prevent proper setup.

If you are unable to recreate OST manually or need to recover data from an inaccessible OST file, the best option is to use a professional tool.

Method 04: Professional Way to Handle Issues with OST File

In case your OST file is damaged or disconnected from the server, manual steps will not help you. Then, the only reliable option is to use the Aryson OST Recovery Tool. Because it can recover mailbox items like emails, contacts, calendars, and attachments from inaccessible OST files. Along with recovery, you can convert OST to PST, CSV, EML, MBOX, MSG, and other formats. So that you can open your data in Outlook without depending on the Exchange or IMAP server. Download Now Purchase Now

To skip the hassle, you can directly use the Aryson OST to PST Converter to accomplish the task. And once the OST file is converted to PST, you can easily view all its contents, including emails, contacts, calendars, and attachments. This utility provides conversion result with proper accuracy. For a better understanding of the software, download the demo version of the software:

Conclusion

Recreating an OST file is a quick way to fix corruption, sync errors, and profile issues in Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2013. Manual methods work if the server is available, but for orphaned or damaged OST files, a professional recovery or OST-to-PST tool ensures safe and complete data access. Choosing the right approach to recreate OST file Outlook will keep your mailbox secure and Outlook runs smoothly.

FAQs

Q1. What happens if I delete my OST file?

Ans: When you delete the OST file, Outlook automatically generates a new one and syncs data from the server. Your emails remain safe.

Q2. Is it safe to recreate OST in Outlook 2019/2016/2013?

Ans: Yes, it is completely safe as long as your mailbox is connected to the server.

Q3. Can I recover data if my OST file is orphaned?

Ans: Yes, but you will need a professional Aryson OST Recovery or OST to PST Converter tool.

Q4. Do I need admin rights to recreate OST?

Ans: Usually, no. But in corporate environments, system policies may require admin rights.

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About The Author:

Rohan Wiese

Rohan Wiese is a Technical Content Writer at Aryson Technologies, specializing in databases, e-mail recovery, and e-mail migration solutions. He enjoys conducting research and generating information that assists database administrators, businesses, and novices in resolving issues with MS SQL Server, MySQL databases, Cloud Computing, and Microsoft Exchange.

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