Microsoft Outlook is very popular among computer users and it is frequently used nowadays to manage emails easily. However, we found many people asked about how to recover deleted Outlook files. This reveals a fact – file loss from Outlook is not a rare situation.
For both individuals and enterprises of all sizes, data is the most important thing through fair and foul. So it’s reasonable all people will spare no effort to recover deleted items in Outlook for Windows after they accidentally deleted the useful files (like *.ost and *.pst), isn’t it?
Later in this passage, we’ll introduce a marvelous OST recovery tool – MiniTool Power Data Recovery, with which you’ll be able to recover deleted items from Outlook 2010 all by yourself. Besides, you’ll get to know well about how Outlook files are accidentally deleted and how to easily repair Outlook data file. In the end, we’ll offer more detailed information to help you understand OST & PST files better.
How Outlook Files Are Deleted & Things to Know After Deletion
We have to admit that unintentional improper operations like accidental deletion are very hard to avoid. As long as we use the computer, we tend to make mistakes and delete the useful files we need accidentally.
However, the good news is though wrong deletion happens now and then, it’s not so difficult to recover deleted Outlook files. In addition, you’re allowed to repair corrupt OST files in special ways and you’re also able to regain OST files missing from virus attacks or other unknown reasons.
You need to stop using Outlook (or even your computer) at the very moment when you discover your mistake or sudden data loss. Then, try to detect and recover deleted Outlook data with the help of reliable OST file recovery software.
Top Recommendation
When using Outlook or any other programs on a computer, we may be constantly confronted with virus infection issues. In such a case, we strongly recommend you check the data immediately and follow the steps mentioned in Now You Can Rescue All Files Corrupted After Virus Attack to rescue files quickly.
Specific Cases for Accidental Outlook File Deletion
"Accidentally I deleted the file.ost, and now the outlook 2010 won't open and tells me that file.ost is not found. How can I able to recover the file .ost? I have tried to reinstall Microsoft Office but it was in vain and the problem still occurs." – by 3awa2Microsoft Community
This problem was put forward by 3awa2 on Microsoft Community. This user came straight to his question – accidentally deleted OST file. Then, he mentioned the problem caused by it now – Outlook 2010 won’t open. So his purpose is finding ways to recover OST files. He also mentioned that Microsoft Office reinstallation didn’t work.
"Can't install Outlook missing .ost file; here is the full error message, Cannot open your default e-mail folders. The file c:/users/Greenchief/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Outlook/outlook.ost is not an Outlook data file(.ost)" – by GreenChiefsocial.technet.microsoft.com/Forums
As you can see, this is posted by GreenChief on social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums. Apparently, his OST file is somehow deleted or damaged.
"We would like to ask for tech support on how to recover deleted .ost file? We haven't backed-up the email, deleted the .ost file accidentally then when we open the MS Outlook, all the mails in the INBOX are gone... Any tools, free tools that can be used? Please advise, thank you!"Experts Exchange
At the beginning of the post that we found on Experts Exchange, the user expressed a clear desire of OST file recovery. Obviously, the OST file is deleted accidentally and it drives this writer to ask for a free tool to help recover deleted Outlook files.
Well, we can’t deny the fact that OST (or PST) file problems are ubiquitous. And we may fail to avoid it sometimes no matter how careful we are when using Outlook. Remember, don’t be self-pitying, just cheer up and try the methods we’ll show in following content as quickly as you can.
Comprehensive Analysis of Outlook File Deletion
Regardless of the way in which the Outlook files are disappeared, you still have a chance to find them back. Why? Here are the reasons you need:
All the actions (deletion, formatting, virus invasion, etc.) will only be applied to the area that holds the detailed information of files (such as file size, file starting location, and file ending location); this will not bring much damage to the real content of deleted/lost/damaged files.
The space occupied by missing files will be released in Windows and marked as usable. However, before the real content is overwritten by new data, the missing files can be restored.
Stop all the things you’re dealing with & run a reliable file recovery tool immediately is your best choice.
Recover Deleted Outlook Files – 100% Easy & Safe Ways
Want to figure out the detailed steps to recover the deleted Outlook files? The following content is right for you. Keep reading and work with the steps to complete the OST file recovery task.
Recover OST Files After Accidental Deletion
You should first get MiniTool Power Data Recovery on your computer. After that, launch the OST recovery tool to enter the main interface.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery FreeClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
You can choose the location where the OST files are saved on your computer, by default the C drive, and click Scan. Optionally, if you remember the specific file path of the OST file saved folder, opt for the Select Folder selection and head to the file folder. Click Select Folder again to start the scan process. Scanning a specific location shortens the file scan process.
Wait for the process to complete. You can now look for the target file on the result page. MiniTool Power Data Recovery contains several features that can enhance data recovery efficiency. The Filter, Type, and Search features are used to filter out unwanted files and pinpoint a specific file. After the preliminary filter, use the Preview feature to verify the file content instead of saving the file directly.
Select the required items and click Save to choose a new destination. If saving files to the original file path, the data recovery might fail due to data overwriting. MiniTool Powe Data Recovery Free has only 1GB of free file recovery capacity. If you choose more than 1GB of files, you should update the software edition to restore all the files.
This is all about how to recover deleted Outlook files with MiniTool Power Data Recovery.
About MiniTool Power Data Recovery
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is specifically designed to restore lost files from Windows. It is widely compatible with Windows operating systems, including Windows 8/10/11, Windows XP, Windows Server, etc., and other data storage devices that can be detected by Windows, such as SD cards, USB drives, memory sticks, external hard drives, and so on.
Apart from the compatibility with data storage devices, this software supports recovering diverse types of files, encompassing documents, pictures, videos, audio, databases, compressed folders, and other files.
In order to satisfy the different demands of different users, MiniTool has developed several editions of this secure data recovery software. You can visit this License Comparison page to learn the functions of each edition and choose one that suits your situation best.
Take a Closer Look at Outlook Files
Speaking of Outlook data files, we have to mention the OST and PST files, which are the two most significant files of Outlook.
Specifically, as a common kind of computer file formats, OST file has a particular sequence of SID to identify Outlook and Exchange mail account so as to associate the *.ost file with specific users. After you configured an Exchange email account to Outlook and selected the Exchange in cache mode, Outlook will synchronize the emails to the local *.ost file.
Note: the original *.ost file can only be opened in the original Outlook configuration file & exchange mail account configuration. So when you move the OST file to another computer or try to open it in another Outlook configuration file, you’ll fail.
As we said, the other significant file of Outlook is PST, which stands for Personal Storage Table.
"A *.pst is an open proprietary file format used to store copies of messages, calendar events, and other items within Microsoft software such as Microsoft Exchange Client, Windows Messaging, and Microsoft Outlook. The open format is controlled by Microsoft who provides free specifications and free irrevocable technology licensing."Wikipedia
OST File vs. PST File
A computer can save one or more PST files, while only one OST file can be stored on the same computer.
To be specific, the PST file includes emails and other Outlook items; it is used by the most commonly used email account type (POP3 account). Outlook will download the emails of the POP3 account from the mail server, and then save them to the computer’s local drive. So, the size of the PST file is not limited by that of a mailbox on the mail server; and we can release the storage space of the mailbox on the mail server by moving items to the local Outlook data file (.pst).
In contrast, OST file is used by most other account types (such as Microsoft Exchange Server, Outlook.com, Google Gmail, and IMAP) except POP3. When you use these kinds of accounts, your emails, calendar, and other items will be sent to and stored on the server. Meanwhile, Outlook will download the synchronized copy of the emails and save it to the OST file – the offline Outlook data file – on a computer, when the network is connected.
Location of OST Files
After reading above content, you may easily find the fact that OST files help us use Outlook when a network connection is unavailable. See, *.ost file is so important.
We found some users choose to change the location of OST file on a local computer mainly due to the following reasons.
a). They suddenly realize the importance of the OST file.
b). They’d like to manage OST files more conveniently.
c). They want to release more free space in C drive, in order to improve computer performance.
Well, OST files become very easy to get lost during the transferring of files from one location to another, users’ improper management and unintentional deletion. Besides, both OST files and PST files may corrupt all of a sudden. In view of this, we decided to mainly focus on OST recovery in the next part (PST recovery can also be completed by using the following methods in most cases).
Summary
Needless to say, Microsoft Office Outlook is a world-famous email management tool. Since it is released by Microsoft, many people believe in it at the very beginning; they totally have no doubt about its security. Besides, with this tool, they can manage more than one mailbox conveniently.
Yet, problems can’t be avoided. We tend to delete useful files when using a computer; the virus/ransomware attack, sudden power failure, drive can’t be opened errors and other unknown reasons can all lead to fatal data loss.
So, what we need to do when accidents really happen are: don’t be panic, stop using the computer and seize time to choose proper tool to recover deleted Outlook files. This can greatly enhance the possibility of a successful recovery job.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Andrea graduated in English and has a keen interest in the IT industry and questions that arise when computers are used. She is passionate about new things and challenging things and has a wide range of interests like playing guitar, gaming, and crafting.