Multiple email accounts, single .ost file

I use Outlook 2016 and I've been using pop since the dawn of time, but now I feel that it's time to switch to imap.

I have multiple pop accounts from different sources and they all use a single .pst data file. I started testing moving a couple of those accounts to imap and discovered that they both have their own .ost file. Outlook allows me to change data files for pop, but doesn't give me that ability for imap. Is there a way to change that? Once I have an account created, to change the data file that it's pointed to?

Thanks

Daryl

A pst file contains your email locally a ost is a copy of files on the server if you delete it the server will recreate it are you using a company email server

rosede said:

I use Outlook 2016 and I've been using pop since the dawn of time, but now I feel that it's time to switch to imap.

I have multiple pop accounts from different sources and they all use a single .pst data file. I started testing moving a couple of those accounts to imap and discovered that they both have their own .ost file. Outlook allows me to change data files for pop, but doesn't give me that ability for imap. Is there a way to change that? Once I have an account created, to change the data file that it's pointed to?

Thanks

Daryl

Hi there
@Daryl
You'll have to go via control panel since the latest updates to Outlook remove the sensible config screens, click the outlook 2016 icon in the control panel -->edit the account you want to change the data and create your new data area

Cheers
jimbo

Samuria said:

A pst file contains your email locally a ost is a copy of files on the server if you delete it the server will recreate it are you using a company email server

I'm not using Exchange. All of the accounts that I have are from various sources. I configure Outlook not to leave mail on the server. Once it's picked up, its deleted on the server.

Can I use a .pst file for imap?

jimbo45 said:

Hi there
@Daryl
You'll have to go via control panel since the latest updates to Outlook remove the sensible config screens, click the outlook 2016 icon in the control panel -->edit the account you want to change the data and create your new data area

Cheers
jimbo

JImbo,

Thanks, but that's the same account settings I see in Outlook. I'm still not able to change the data file that the imap account is using.

Thanks

Daryl

Hi there @Daryl

If it's IMAP mail will only get deleted from the server(s) if you specifically delete it -- usually by moving it to deleted items folder and then deleting it manually. IMAP folders are stored on the email server(s) so you won't normally have much control over those.

Email only gets deleted from the server automatically after accessing it from computer if it's POP3 although you can set an option to leave on the server..

You can though move data from IMAP to local files (open OUTLOOK folder) and there you can define where to have that on the computer -- you can also copy data to the local folder so mail is still left on the server. IMAP means any other devices e.g phones / tablets etc can also access your email.

There's no mechanism for automatically switching a POP3 account to IMAP - you'll have to re-create the accounts manually. You can still save the old email -- simply save locally in an outlook file, create your IMAP email accounts and then copy the outlook folder to the relevant IMAP folders.

I'm a bit confused as to what you actually want to do.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Hi there @Daryl

If it's IMAP mail will only get deleted from the server(s) if you specifically delete it -- usually by moving it to deleted items folder and then deleting it manually. IMAP folders are stored on the email server(s) so you won't normally have much control over those.

Email only gets deleted from the server automatically after accessing it from computer if it's POP3 although you can set an option to leave on the server..

You can though move data from IMAP to local files (open OUTLOOK folder) and there you can define where to have that on the computer -- you can also copy data to the local folder so mail is still left on the server. IMAP means any other devices e.g phones / tablets etc can also access your email.

There's no mechanism for automatically switching a POP3 account to IMAP - you'll have to re-create the accounts manually. You can still save the old email -- simply save locally in an outlook file, create your IMAP email accounts and then copy the outlook folder to the relevant IMAP folders.

I'm a bit confused as to what you actually want to do.

Cheers
jimbo

Jimbo,

Thank you for that explanation. Rather disappointing to me, but I understand. The main reason why i was looking to switch is because of the spam filtering application that I use. It does not protect pop accounts, only imap and I get really tired of all of the spam/phishing crap that my email provider allows through.

Thanks

Daryl