Solved Outlook 2016 OST Data folder change help

  • Hi there and welcome to PC Help Forum (PCHF), a more effective way to get the Tech Support you need!
    We have Experts in all areas of Tech, including Malware Removal, Crash Fixing and BSOD's , Microsoft Windows, Computer DIY and PC Hardware, Networking, Gaming, Tablets and iPads, General and Specific Software Support and so much more.

    Why not Click Here To Sign Up and start enjoying great FREE Tech Support.

    This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
  • Hello everyone We want to personally apologize to everyone for the downtime that we've experienced. We are working to get everything back up as quickly as possible. Due to the issues we've had, your password will need to be reset. Please click the button that says "Forgot Your Password" and change it. We are working to have things back to normal. Emails are fixed and should now send properly. Thank you all for your patience. Thanks, PCHF Management
Status
Not open for further replies.
Part 3

Screenshot (16).png
 
  • Like
Reactions: veeg, jmarket and Malnutrition
Lord Chance said:
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.

View attachment 1562
Click to expand...

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! :)
 
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. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Malnutrition and veeg
Dan__ said:
I will give Malnutrition's reg trick a go later on and see how that goes.
Click to expand...


Make sure and back up the registry as suggested prior to doing that, should also create a restore point before.
 
Lord Chance said:
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. :)
Click to expand...

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.
 
Last edited:
Dan__ said:
I am really unimpressed with windows 10 not being able to find this when I typed it in the search bar below, very strange.
Click to expand...

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

Dan__ said:
. I tried the reg code but that didn't work either.
Click to expand...

I'd system restore to prior to changing the key, since that change could stop the program from working normally...
 
Malnutrition said:
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...
Click to expand...

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.
 
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 said:
Also, this might help.

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/home?forum=outlook

https://social.technet.microsoft.co...mail-data-via-powershell-cmdlet?forum=outlook
Click to expand...

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 :(
 
Last edited:
You also might consider making a thread in the outlook forum that I linked you to. They deal with outlook issues on a daily basis.
 
Malnutrition said:
You also might consider making a thread in the outlook forum that I linked you to. They deal with outlook issues on a daily basis.
Click to expand...

Thank you again for taking the time out to helping me out. I know that you and others have done their best to help solve the problem. I really appreciate it.

I will look into archive option again and ill post on that forum you mentioned.

Can I ask one last thing please, do you or anyone else know if there is a way to stop or set a limit of how much email I would like to sync from my gmail account? Like can I set it so that it only downloads say the last 2 years worth of email? Just wondering.

Thanks
 
Sorry it din't work out the way you wanted.. So do we mark this thread?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom