Unable to move Outlook 16 .OST file location to D:\ drive!


  1. Posts : 495
    Windows 10 Home 64bit 22H2 OS 19045.3324
       #1

    Unable to move Outlook 16 .OST file location to D:\ drive!


    Moving email accounts from old pc Windows 7 Outlook 2007 new pc with Windows 10 Pro and Office 365 Personal for a local church.
    I have been able to move the Data File for two Outlook.com Data Files to the D:\Users\username\Documents\Outlook Files folder successfully but trying to move the Data File for a BT Mail IMAP account is proving
    challenging.
    I have followed instructions in https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/config/how-to-move-the-imap-personal-folder-pst/#reuse
    which states “Use the ForcePSTPath regedit to change the default *.pst path and in Outlook 2013 and newer, the IMAP *.ost path. The ForcePSTPath key will recreate the pst files used by IMAP accounts in Outlook 2010 and up but not in earlier versions.”
    All steps below have been carried out with Office 16 closed and adding the email thru Control Panel > Mail > email accounts > Manually as I have to enter the Incoming and Outgoing mail servers, New Outlook Data File checked ports etc. I have tried to change the location for the data file location using the ForcePSTPath for a new (BT Mail) IMAP account without success;
    it still stored the data file in C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\email address.ost file.
    I removed the IMAP account and deleted the data file saved in C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\email address.ost file. I altered the location using the ForceOSTPath method and still the data file is saved to C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\email address.ost file as shown below(red boxed)
    Unable to move Outlook 16 .OST file location to D:\ drive!-2018-11-12_19-58-25.jpg

    But in Outlook the BT email account appears as shown below plus a D:\Users\username\Documents\OutlookFiles\... ;
    Unable to move Outlook 16 .OST file location to D:\ drive!-2018-11-12_19-57-36.jpg
    I need to move the Data File for the IMAP account to D:\ drive as my SSD has a small capacity.
    Any ideas on how to move the .ost file to the D:\ drive?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #2

    If it's a OST file there is no need to move it just delete the file an OST file is recreated from the server unlike pst which is local
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 495
    Windows 10 Home 64bit 22H2 OS 19045.3324
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Unable to move Outlook 16 .OST file location to D:\ drive!


    Update:
    The issue with changing the location of the Data File for the IMAP email account I have now resolved by removing the IMAP email account and deleting the Data File from C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\email address.ost. Restarting the pc adding the ForcePSTPath and the ForceOSTPath registry keys and restarting the pc again. Added the IMAP email account using the Control Panel > Mail > E-mail Accounts > New adding the IMAP account manually.
    The issue with archiving emails has also been resolved.
    The issue with the"peek icon" is ongoing, the icon does not work when following the instruction on this web page https://support.office.com/en-us/article/keep-upcoming-appointments-and-meetings-always-in-view-0e5f30da-c44d-4b96-8fd9-ba5d10db0962 I guess I will have to live with this.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 868
    Windows 10 x64
       #4

    @scopio
    Are you indeed using IMAP ?
    Or Exchange?
    I have applied the registry settings. Rebooted. Added Oulook account based on IMAP, then still the .ost file is stored on C:
    I have been spending many hours on this. Removed account, removed .ost files, rebooting, re-adding account basis IMAP, I have done this probably a dozen times(!), basis IMAP (Setup->Advanced setup->select IMAP).
    Each time, the .ost was stored on C:\

    Howeve ... when I use the 'default' (not advanced) setup, i.e. just email+password, then it is based on Exchange.
    Yes, in that case, Exchange, indeed the .ost file is located as per the registry patch.

    So what works for Exchange, does not for IMAP. In case of IMAP the registry patch seems to be ignored.
    That's to say: with me.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 495
    Windows 10 Home 64bit 22H2 OS 19045.3324
    Thread Starter
       #5

    @tfwul
    I did eventually managed to move the .ost IMAP file to the D\: drive.

    This is how I managed to resolve the issue of moving Data Files to the D\:Users\Username\Documents\Outlook Files\IMAP folder.

    1. Removed the email account from Outlook, (the Data File will be removed by default). The email account and Data File MUST be removed before you create the ForcePSTPath key AND the ForceOSTPath!
    2. Deleted the file in C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\email address.ost file.
    3. Opened the Registry, navigated to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook
    4. I created both the
      Expandable String Value:
      ForcePSTPath key AND the ForceOSTPath and the Value data to read “D\:\Users\Username\Documents\Outlook Files\IMAP"
    5. Saved Registry and powered off the pc.
    6. Powered on the pc
    7. Opened Control Panel > Mail > E-mail accounts > Account settings > New added the IMAP account Manually (Do not
      use Add new mail account within Outlook!)
    8. The Data File was created in the D\:Users\Username\Documents\Outlook Files\IMAP folder.


    Hope this is helpful.
    When the office is shut I will take some screen shots to prove the Data File was moved to the D\:Users\Username\Documents\Outlook Files\IMAP folder.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 868
    Windows 10 x64
       #6

    Thank you!
    I did your items 1, 2, 3.

    as for 4: I tried both ForcePSTPath and ForceOSTPath - but I did not use them together (i.e. either only 1st or only the 2nd, but together). ForcePSTPath, I think it for PST and older email clients (2010).

    Anyway, I will give that a try as well.

    5+6 of course
    but 7... THAT I did not know.

    Will try it out of course.

    Will get back, keeping my all fingers crossed
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 868
    Windows 10 x64
       #7

    THANK you so much!!

    This solved my problem. I did exactly what you said and indeed, now the .ost file is stored within the drive\folder where I want it to be.

    This is really super!

    All the time I went on to create an account the 'normal' way Within Outlook - File->Add Account.

    Indeed it is solved by using Start-Control Panel-Mail (Microsoft Outlook 2016)-Account settings-New- and select Manual setup

    Again, many, many thanks!!

      My Computer


  8. Posts : 495
    Windows 10 Home 64bit 22H2 OS 19045.3324
    Thread Starter
       #8

    You are welcome.
      My Computers


 

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