Sometimes, when the users try to open an Outlook data file i.e. OST file, there are some other files that emerge on the screen. Due to this, Outlook becomes unable to access the latest OST files. This article portrays how to resolve the Outlook is using an old copy of your outlook data file (OST) error.

Most of the organizations prefer Outlook for professional communication. So, it is a pathetic situation when you face an error while using Outlook. Due to the error, the mailbox items including emails, calendars, contacts, events etc. become inaccessible to the users. One such error that occurs most frequently is “Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook data file (.ost). There might be some reasons due to which the OST files are not accessible and throwing an error. Some of the reasons are OS crash, improper upgrade of Outlook, virus infection etc. The above error is displayed with the message:

“Outlook cannot open your default email folders. Outlook is using an old copy of OST. Exit Outlook, delete the .ost file and restart Outlook. A new file will be automatically created the next time you initiate a send/receive”.

Methods to fix Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook data file (.ost) error

The most feasible way to troubleshoot this error is to delete the old OST file. But, ensure that you have taken backup of your OST file in form of PST file. But, if you don’t want to delete the OST file, you need to fix the issue in OST file.

Method 1: Delete the OST file

In the first step, delete the OST file. For doing this, unhide the file first. Now, go through the below steps:

For Windows 7:

Click on Start Button.

Button. Select the File option, followed by the alternate path Organize >> Folder and Search options.

option, followed by the alternate path options. Go to View tab.

tab. Choose the option Show hidden files, folders and drivers.

Now, untick the Hide extensions for known file types option.

option. Hit a click on OK.

For Windows 10:

Launch the File Explorer.

Now, select the View option.

option. After that, select the option File name extensions and Hidden Items.

Using above steps, your OST files will become visible. Now, use the below explained steps to fix the Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook data file (OST) error:

Go to Computer or the File Explorer Window.

or the After that, navigate through C:/Users/(your login name)/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Outlook.

Now, delete the files with .ost extension.

extension. Ensure that you have not deleted any PST file.

Once done, restart the Outlook.

Now, you need to recreate the OST file which has been deleted because of occurrence of error.

Method 2: Repair the OST file

If the above error message from Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010 and 2007 still continues, there are chances that the OST file is damaged or corrupted. You can repair the corrupted OST files by employing a Microsoft inbuilt inbox repair tool i.e. “scanpst.exe”. It repairs the corruptions in the OST file and fixes the error Outlook is using an old copy of Outlook data file (.ost). But the scanpst.exe is able to fix only minor corruptions. If your OST files have been severely damaged, you need to opt for a professional tool as an alternative.

Alternative to troubleshoot Outlook is using an old copy of your Outlook data file (.ost) error

The manual approach to resolve this error might be suitable for individuals or small where there are small no. of OST files and can be repaired. But, what about large organizations. It is not possible to repair each OST file manually as there are a large no. of OST files. Here comes the need for a professional solution that involves the use of an OST to PST converter tool to convert the inaccessible OST files to PST files. It can be done in a short span of time. It is one of the most feasible solutions to fix this particular Outlook OST error.

Concluding words

As most of the small as well as large organizations rely on Outlook for their professional and business communication, even a small hindrance in the Outlook data can create hassles in the functioning of organization. So, it is recommended to save the OST files in PST file format at some regular intervals to avoid the occurrence of Outlook is using an old copy of Outlook data file (.ost) error. If you feel such a problem, you can go for the professional tool to fix this error. Hope it helps.



