Moving the Outlook OST file to another directory (Outlook 2010)
I would’ve thought this was already solved, but no. Moving Outlook data files is still ridiculously complex. And Outlook 2010 doesn’t seem to help it.
This page gives you nice instructions for the task, but could use some augmentation. Here goes:
First, where are Account settings in Outlook 2010? The answer lies behind the renewedly square Office button on your top left corner. Click that, and whoomp, you’re off to Outspace! There you have links to everything that used to reside in the Tools menu: Options, Account Settings, OOF assistant, Rules…) (click to enlarge the screenshot on the right).
Second, you may encounter the issue already familiar from Outlook 2003: What if the “Disable Offline Use” button is inactive? Well, the solution is simple: By following the instruction page linked from above, first disable Cached Exchange Mode on the Advanced Tab of the Data File Settings. Then click OK to close the dialog and open it again (via the Settings link). When you open the Advanced / Outlook Data File Settings sub-dialog again, the Disable Offline Use button should be enabled.
Third, when you have restarted Outlook after the Offline mode has been disabled and you have moved your files in Explorer, the Outlook Data File Settings dialog still has the File text box readonly, not allowing you to paste in the new OST path. But the Browse button next to it should be enabled, and you can paste the path there. You’d imagine the button is labeled as “Change…” and the filepath represented as a label if it’s not intended to be changed directly, huh?
The Outlook team should take a look at IE’s cache dialog (Tools / Internet Options / General / Browsing History / Settings). It has a very tidy “Move folder” button that handles all the ugly logistics. Yeah, it may require annoying logoffs and whatnot, but at least it does the job on my behalf.
August 8, 2009
Tags: Office 2010, Outlook Posted in: Windows IT
2 Responses
Jon - March 25, 2010
So how do you move it the OST path then?
Jon - March 25, 2010
Nevermind, I figured it out.
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