Fix OST File Indexing Issues in Outlook

Author: Alex Smith

In the business world, every individual is using Outlook as their default email service for communicating with the client or with colleagues. Outlook is the most recommended email client for desktop and laptop users it provides secure and optimized email communications within huge organizations.

Using Outlook in offline mode is one of the best and unique features of this email service. It allows users to work in the absence of exchange server, however, it raises risks in accessing Outlook mail items when OST file gets corrupt or becomes inaccessible.

Various factors involved which influence Outlook OST file to the corruption, one of the major factors is indexing. If OST file is not indexed appropriately in Outlook, errors may occur while using the "Instant Search" feature to locate any OST file. Instant Search is an option to trace emails or any other items within Outlook data file.

An indexing error in your Outlook means that data can’t be searched or not everything has been indexed. Even though the search will say that the file is fully indexed in the user's system,

The cause may occur due to the corrupt OST file. Windows Search is very sensitive to problems in Outlook data. A small number of glitches will lead to indexing errors.

In simple word, Windows Search unable to read the file and won’t show it on while search but, Outlook itself can use that same file quite happily. PST / OST files are very complex in nature and hold huge data of users. Outlook is pretty tolerant of these minor glitches and either fixes them automatically or ignores them. Windows Search is not as capable hence become prone to the indexing issue.

Fix OST File Indexing Issues in Outlook

If you have some technical here are some steps you should follow on your own.

Manual Solution:

  • Go to Control Panel -> Programs and Features.
  • Switch Off ‘Windows Search’ option and restart the system.
  • Next, open Outlook, type randomly in the Search box – Outlook should give an error that Search function is not working.
  • Again close Outlook and restart the computer.
  • GO to Control Panel -> Programs and Features and move on Windows Search option. Rebuild the Indexing Service in Control Panel by taping on ‘Rebuilt the index’ option. Now check the indexing status in Outlook to confirm that the data file has been properly indexed.

OST File Converter tool

Recovee OST to PST recovery tool is most dynamic software to fix OST file indexing issue by converting this OST file into PST file. This tool is developed and designed with an advanced mechanism which performs error-free conversion of corrupted OST file into PST file format in just a few steps. It can repair and convert Outlook OST files distant error. During the conversion process, this tool extracts all data of inaccessible OST file and puts them into healthy and accessible PST file effortlessly. The OST to PST converter software is the best solution to get rid of the indexing issue.