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How to Change Location of Outlook PST/OST Files

In this guide, we will show you the steps to change the default location of Outlook PST and OST files. Both the OST (Offline Storage Table) and PST (Personal Storage Table) files are used to store data related to your Outlook accounts. As is evident from its name, the OST file could store data in an offline state as well.

So when you are typing an email without any internet connectivity, then that email gets saved to the draft, inside the OST file. On the other hand, PST requires an active internet connection and at the same time, is compatible with near about all popular email servers. With that said, what is the default location of Outlook PST and OST Files and how could you change their location? Let’s check it out.

What is the Default Location of Outlook PST/OST Files

Change Location of Outlook OST File

  1. Launch Outlook and click on File situated at the top left.
  2. Then select Info from the left-hand side and click on Account Settings.
  3. Again select Account Settings from the drop-down menu.Change Location of Outlook OST File
  4. Now go to the Data Files tab and select the Outlook data file corresponding to your account.Change Location of Outlook OST File
  5. Finally, click on Open File Location. You will be taken to that PST/OST file via File Explorer.

Change the Default Location of Outlook PST/OST Files

  1. Launch Registry Editor from the Start menu and head over to the below location [16.0 is the version number which might be different in your case]:
    Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook
  2. Then right-click on the Outlook folder and select New > Expandable String Value.Change Location of Outlook OST File
  3. Now right-click on it, select Rename, and name it ForceOSTPath.Change Location of Outlook OST File
  4. Double-click to open it. Then type in the desired new location of the OST file in the Value Data field and hit OK to save it.
  5. Again create a new Expandable String Value. This time name it ForcePSTPath.
  6. Double-click to open it. Then type in the desired new location of the PST file in the Value Data field and hit OK to save it.Change Location of Outlook OST File
  7. Now open File Explorer and head over to the original location of the OST/PST file that you noted in the above section.
  8. Finally, just move [Ctrl+X & Ctrl+V] the OST/PST file over to the desired new location and your task stands complete.

That’s it. These were the steps to change the default location of Outlook PST and OST files. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.


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