Outlook The file username ost is in use and cannot be accessed

Outlook is an e-mail and calendar software program accessible as part of the Microsoft Workplace suite. It means that you can ship and obtain e-mail messages and monitor your activity. It makes use of an OST file which is the Outlook information file when you’ve got an Trade account and need to work offline. At occasions, customers have seen the “The file username ost is in use and cannot be accessed” error when launching Outlook. In case you additionally face this error, then in this text, we’ve got prompt some strategies to repair this error.

Outlook Information File – The file C:CustomersAppDataLocalMicrosoftusername.ost is in use and cannot be accessed. Shut any utility that is utilizing this file, and then strive once more. You would possibly have to restart your pc.

The error signifies that the Outlook information file named username.ost is in use, and this system gained’t run in your pc as a consequence of that. Additionally, this Outlook error happens for customers who’ve enabled the “Use Cached Exchange Mode” choice in their Outlook account settings and thereby have their emails downloaded and saved domestically in a file named username.ost. Therefore, they’ll entry their Outlook emails offline, and emails will be synced with the trade server once more as soon as they’re again on-line.

What causes The file username ost to be in use and cannot be accessed errors in Outlook?

In case you are dealing with the “Outlook file username.ost is in use and cannot be accessed” challenge, there might be a number of causes behind this error. Beneath we’ve got given some causes.

• It happens if the .ost is nonetheless used or locked by the opposite course of.
• It will probably occur from a battle between the Outlook utility and different recordsdata.
• It will probably occur, If the method Communicator, ucmapi.exe, and so on. are working in the background.
• This error also can happen as a consequence of an absence of synchronization between the OST file and the Trade mailbox.
• Corrupt OST file.
• Lack of Synchronization between the OST file and Trade server.
• Conflicting Use of the OST File.

Repair The file username ost is in use and cannot be accessed Outlook error

In case you see The file username.ost is in use and cannot be accessed message whereas logging into Outlook, then right here we’ve got given some strategies to repair this challenge :

1. Restart your system and router
2. Disable Cached Trade Mode
3. Shut Microsoft Outlook and associated applications
4. Restore OST file with Inbox Restore Instruments
5. Recreate the OST file in your pc.

Let’s use this methodology one after the other to repair this error.

1] Restart your system and router

Restart your PC and your web connection and see if that helps.

If potential, use one other web connection and see.

2] Disable Cached Trade Mode

If restarting the system doesn’t enable you to repair this error, you may attempt to Disable the Cached Trade Mode choice to repair this challenge. It would assist customers to work offline in Outlook. Now, observe the under steps to disable this feature.

1. Launch the Outlook utility and click on on the File choice in the higher left nook.
2. Select Account Settings and click on on Account Settings.
3. Go to the Electronic mail tab and choose your account.
4. Click on on the Change tab.
5. Now, you will notice Offline Settings.
6. Uncheck the field for the choice Use Cached Trade Mode.
7. Restart the Outlook utility to save lots of the change.

Observe: Don’t overlook to show “Use Cached Exchange Mode”  ON if this error is not mounted.

Associated: This information file is related to a mail account OST file

3] Shut Microsoft Outlook and associated applications

If the above strategies don’t assist, then you may attempt to shut or finish MS Outlook and associated functions. You must be sure that no Outlook utility is working in the background. Now observe the under steps to do that.

1. Navigates to the Home windows search bar, kind Job Supervisor, and open it.
2. Go to the Course of tab.
3. Search for the title Communicator, Outlook, Groups/Lync, Skype or UCMAPI.
4. In case you get any choices associated to the appliance talked about right here.
5. Then, choose them and then click on on the Finish activity button in the underside proper.
6. Now, Restart your system to save lots of the change.

Attempt to open Outlook once more. Hopefully, it is going to work advantageous now.

4] Restore OST file with Inbox Restore Instruments

When all of the strategies proven above don’t repair this challenge associated OST file, then possibly your OST file will get corrupted. On this case, it is advisable restore the OST file with Inbox Restore Instruments. Microsoft has supplied the Inbox Restore Device, which helps you to get well the folder and objects from an offline folder or .ost recordsdata. Inbox Restore Device can get well objects from an offline folder or .ost recordsdata. The OST Integrity Examine Device will enable you to repair corrupted .ost recordsdata. It additionally helps to regain objects from corrupted private folders or .pst recordsdata.

5] Recreate the OST file in your pc

For all we all know, the Outlook OST file has most likely gotten corrupted, which can be why you obtain The file username.ost is in use and cannot be accessed error. Nevertheless, for those who delete this OST file, Outlook will be pressured to switch the file and thereby repair the difficulty for you. You don’t have to fret about dropping any information by deleting or renaming this file, because the file will be recreated.

To rename the OST file in your pc, restart your PC and go to this location:

C:UsersACKAppDataLocalMicrosoftOutlook

Within the Outlook folder, navigate to the .OST file that is giving issues. You will note the title as, say, [email protected]. Rename it to [email protected].

Now open Outlook, and hopefully, the issue will have been resolved.

Also read: Outlook OST cannot be accessed, You must connect to Microsoft Exchange

How do I fix Outlook OST that cannot open?

Here are a few steps to fix the Outlook OST file that cannot open. These are:

1. Kill all the Outlook-related process
2. Disable Cached Exchange Mode
3. Uninstall and reinstall the latest version of Outlook
4. Turn OFF Outlook ads-in that may cause conflict

Also read: The File cannot be opened message in Outlook – Outlook Data File

How do you fix the Outlook data files that cannot be accessed?

If you want to fix Outlook data files that can not be accessed then try these fixes.

1. Restart the Outlook
2. Check Account Settings
3. Check Internet Connection
4. Create New Account Profile
5. Setup Email Account

Also read: Sent items folder missing or not found in Outlook; How to get it back?

How do I convert an OST to a PST file in Outlook?

If you wish to convert the Outlook OST file to a PST file, use the under steps to transform manually.

1. First, open Outlook and click on on the File in the highest left nook.
2. After that, click on on the Open&Export and choose the Import/Export choice.
3. Now choose the Export to a file choice on the Import and Export Wizard Window web page and click on Subsequent.
4. Now choose the Outlook Information File (.pst) and once more click on Subsequent.
5. Now, select whether or not to export a particular folder or the entire account and additionally verify the embrace subfolder field > click on Subsequent.
6. Select the vacation spot for the Export by clicking on browse, and then click on End.

Additionally learn: clear up, compact, and cut back mailbox measurement in Microsoft Outlook.

What is utilizing the OST file?

OST file is an Outlook information file used while you use the default Outlook Cached Trade Mode or have opted for an Trade account and need to work offline. The file mainly shops a duplicate of emails from Trade or Outlook.com accounts in your pc to be accessible so that you can entry with out an web connection.

The place is the Outlook OST file situated?

The Outlook OST file is situated in the drive:UsersuserAppDataLocalMicrosoftOutlook file. This file shops your Outlook emails in this OST file inside the placement talked about above of your pc for them to be accessible in offline mode. This file is mechanically synchronized with the Outlook server to get them on the identical web page.

What occurs if I delete the OST file?

There is no challenge related with the OST file in your pc because it’ll be downloaded once more from the Trade server. So if you’re required to, you may delete the OST file.