..ost files are specific to the Outlook profile and SID created for that profile/mailbox. Once the mailbox is disconnected and you try to reconnect using a non-exchange profile, or even the same removed exchange profile, you will not be able to retrieve the contents of the ..ost file.
When you leave an Exchange enabled Company, the data belongs to them, not you and the SID enforces this as the case (one reason, among many, to use exchange mailboxes and not .pst files).
Only if you select to "work offline" and then try to reconnect to the ..ost file will you be able to access the contents. Otherwise, "your ..ost is toast".
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Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]
Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact.
After furious head scratching, Tim123 asked:
| Hi, I was using Outlook 2003 at my previous employer on a MS Exchange
| server. Before I left I backed up my .ost file and .pst files.
| I am running Outlook 2007 at home and am trying to work out how to
| open the .ost folder. It appears to only be looking for .pst files.
|
| Can anyone help please?