Office Professional Plus 2019 Outlook ost and pst issue

sunshine5 · 14 Jul 2020

I have a new computer (windows 10) and installed Office Professional Plus 2019 with no problem, except Outlook with multiple issues. Clicked on the Outlook icon to start the setup process, it went great as it found my account and showed all my folders in the side bar that I had created (IMAP/SMTP account). Before starting this process I had copied my ost file from my old computer and placed the ost file in C/users/my profile name/Appdata/Local/Microsoft/Outlook. Once the setup was completed, I went back to that location and I saw my ost plus another one that outlook had created with (2) next to it. Both have data. I also noticed that my calendar, tasks or address book are not there.

Prior to this year I was using POP account and created a new pst file at the beginning of the last 3 years, so I needed to import. I copied my prior three years pst files from my old computer, which I keep in my documents and placed them in the same spot in the new computer. I thought I imported them correctly by Open & Export/ Import/Export/Import from another program or file/Outlook data File (.pst)/browsed the the pst file selected do not import duplicates/ I thought I had selected import items into the same folder and showed my ost file. What this should have done is created a file under my main file with all the data, just like on my old computer. I imported all three and now under my main account in the side bar I see the three files plus the folder underneath and I see a Outlook data file with a bunch of folder under that that are empty but yet some of the show there are emails unread. As I am looking at my main folder I noticed that some of the folder from prior years are located there. It is just a mess😊

What is the best process to fix this mess? I have no problem starting over on my new computer, just don’t know how. I have my old computer so I can get the ost and pst with no problem. Thank you for your help

Caledon Ken · 15 Jul 2020

Hi sunshine5

Sounds like you will have to start again.

First off do not import your OST file. This is per say a temp file and is rebuilt by the Outlook and the server when you connect an IMAP account.

Interesting way you are handling PST's, one for each year. I can understand a folder within your Personal folders, one for each year but can't get my head around three individual PST's.

When I transferred mine I copied the PST into a folder called Outlook under the main heading Documents. I think when I started Outlook it found them or I may have had to open. I did this on four devices for four different people. Been a while. In any event I believe they belong in this directory structure.

Look on your existing device as to which file is consider the defaut for "Data". This is where Contacts, Calendar and Tasks are located. You will want to point to same on new device.

Ken