Outlook 2016 OST Data folder change help

[Malnutrition]

. Anything I can try with the registry there?

Only entries I found related to OST and PST are these…

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Outlook.File.p st.15]
“”=“Outlook Data File”

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Outlook.File.o st.15]
“”=“Outlook Data File”

Nothing indicates where they are sent, so to be honest I am not sure what to do direct the files to a new folder…

I’d expect something like this… You could try and merge this into the registry and see what happens, I am really uncertain if it will do anything. Best to back up your registry prior to doing this.

Copy the content of the code box below.
Save it to your desktop as outlook.reg in a notepad.
Right click outlook.reg and merge then reboot your machine.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Outlook.File.pst.15]
“Target”=“D:\Outlook Data Files”
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Outlook.File.ost.15]
“Target”=“D:\Outlook Data Files”

I just took a look and its no good to me as its only letting me do one folder at a time.

Perhaps set it up to auto archive and see what happens.

Sorry I can not offer you anymore help. Auto Archive seems to me what you want…

[Malnutrition]

I am also gonna tag someone who I think can help here.

@Lord Chance

[Lord_Chance]

Maybe this will help. Using this method you will use windows explorer to move the PST file to the desired location then follow the directions.

[ATTACH]1562[/ATTACH]

[Lord_Chance]

And this should help move the OST file. Forgive me but it is in three parts.

[ATTACH]1563[/ATTACH]

[Lord_Chance]

Part 2

[ATTACH]1564[/ATTACH]

[Lord_Chance]

Part 3

[ATTACH]1565[/ATTACH]

[Dan]

Maybe this will help. Using this method you will use windows explorer to move the PST file to the desired location then follow the directions.

[ATTACH]1562[/ATTACH]

Ive already done this, I only have one PST file which was the default one that outlook creates and was easy to change the folder for that by doing the method you described. I came across that guide before but thank you for taking the time out to post all that up

The problem that I am facing is that the new outlook 2016 is creating OST files. Previously I have always dealt with PST files as I was using outlook 2010 before. The thing with Ost files is that all the options for changing the path in outlook are disabled.

The microsoft exchange guide doesnt work on windows 10 as its simply just not there in control panel. I have searched many times using different search terms to find it but can’t seem to find it so can’t do that.

I will give Malnutrition’s reg trick a go later on and see how that goes.

If anyone else has any suggestions or ideas then please let me know. I’m guessing office 2013 would have the same problem? If anyone knows more about this then please chime in.

Again I would like to thank everyone for their time and effort to help me out here, really appreciate it!

[Lord_Chance]

Dan, only the first part pertains to the PST file. Read further as the following goes on to deal with the OST file. I included the instructions for the PST file because it keeps me from having to go back reference my notes again. I know, Old LC is getting lazy. If you have not, please read on. I also have Outlook on a widows 10 machine and have stepped through those instructions to make sure before posting. I will admit that not all systems are the same but if you did a recommended install it should work.

[Malnutrition]

I will give Malnutrition’s reg trick a go later on and see how that goes.

Make sure and back up the registry as suggested prior to doing that, should also create a restore point before.

[Dan]

Dan, only the first part pertains to the PST file. Read further as the following goes on to deal with the OST file. I included the instructions for the PST file because it keeps me from having to go back reference my notes again. I know, Old LC is getting lazy. If you have not, please read on. I also have Outlook on a widows 10 machine and have stepped through those instructions to make sure before posting. I will admit that not all systems are the same but if you did a recommended install it should work.

I understood the first part but the mail icon couldn’t be found. However after searching online I managed to find this Mail icon. I am really unimpressed with windows 10 not being able to find this when I typed it in the search bar below, very strange. I took a look at the options and tried to follow your guide but I keep getting the error - “your outlook data file cannot be configured”. I googled this error and there was a fix for this but that registry key doesnt exist on my machine so I can’t get around it.

Furthermore, I have re-installed office 2016 and still didnt work. I tried the reg code but that didnt work either. I have tried office 2013 but as I predicted its the exact same problem as 2016. I did a reboot after each uninstall too.

I also looked at auto archiving again and same as before. It doesnt let you change or choose the location of the archive file. No idea why they have locked this feature it is just annoying. I have been days without my email. I have several I need to add and have been using my laptop instead which has windows 7 with office 2010.

[Malnutrition]

I am really unimpressed with windows 10 not being able to find this when I typed it in the search bar below, very strange.

Everything Search Engine is a bit more advanced than windows search.

. I tried the reg code but that didn’t work either.

I’d system restore to prior to changing the key, since that change could stop the program from working normally…

[Dan]

Everything Search Engine is a bit more advanced than windows search.

I’d system restore to prior to changing the key, since that change could stop the program from working normally…

I did a backup of my key, I was trying to restore it but towards the end I got an error that it couldn’t complete some or all as they are in use or I dont have permission. I tried to boot into safe mode but that didnt work either. I googled windows 10 safe mode but didnt work, wierd. Anyhow my system became unbootable, it logged me in once but nothing was working. My LAN drivers had been disabled or removed, sound drivers disabled or removed too, etc. It wasnt even in safe mode. After that it wouldnt boot so I had to re-install windows 10 all over again.

Anyhow Ive put office 2016 back on and still the same problem.

[Malnutrition]

I highly doubt that key was to blame for that, it would have only made Outlook not place the files correctly if it did throw any error at all.

[Malnutrition]

Also, this might help.

Outlook - Microsoft Q&A

export outlook email data via PowerShell cmdlet | Microsoft Learn

[Dan]

Also, this might help.

Outlook - Microsoft Q&A

export outlook email data via PowerShell cmdlet | Microsoft Learn

thanks for the links but couldn’t find anything there.

I have installed office 2010 and its back to using PST files but I’m having the same problem. Although it lets me change the file location, it automatically keeps resetting it back the default location and creating a new PST file.

Also to add the email account that I am adding is a gmail account. Pretty much most of my accounts are with gmail.

What on earth is going on? I never had such issues before. Its honestly driving me nuts. I think I’m going to have to settle to use the default location and eat up all the space on my ssd