For an Outlook user, it’s important to understand how to use various features of Outlook and also how to keep it running at its best. Since many users use the Offline Folders feature, users need to understand what could cause problems with these files, how they affect Outlook performance, and what they can do to avoid them.
Using Outlook OST files can be a great advantage for users who have a mailbox on the Exchange server, as it gives them the ability to work with Exchange data even when they are offline. Any changes users make to the data are updated in the mailbox on the server through a convenient synchronization process. However, as one continues to use Outlook frequently, certain performance issues arise, particularly with offline folders (OST files) that are used to store Outlook data. Some of these performance issues arise due to simple mistakes users make when working with Outlook or shutting it down. By understanding what steps need to be taken, you can resolve performance issues and avoid corruption issues that would otherwise require you to run an Exchange recovery process.
One of the most common problems that occurs with Microsoft Outlook 2007, and which not many users are aware of, is that the application takes longer than other applications to close. This is the root of many other problems. Since Outlook takes so long to close, the user, especially a beginner, feels that the application or system has frozen and may force close it. However, Outlook may not have been completely shut down until then, and some of the OST files were still open when the computer was shut down. This type of unexpected termination can damage OST files, resulting in loss of Exchange data and requiring you to perform an Exchange recovery process.
Fortunately, Outlook marks all files that were open during a sudden Outlook shutdown as suspicious and automatically performs a reconciliation and repair process. Users who are unaware that this reconciliation process is taking place may wonder about Outlook’s slow response time. In fact, it is found that many of them get worried after 10-15 minutes and restart their machines in the hope that this will solve the problem and allow Outlook to work faster. However, unless the reconciliation process is completed, Outlook may not allow the user to access the necessary OST files, putting the user in a real dilemma.
Therefore, it is very important for all Outlook 2007 users to be aware of the fact that, without their knowledge, Outlook may want to check the integrity of OST files and if there is any problem with them, it may also perform a fast exchange recovery. . In fact, Outlook displays a small gear icon to indicate to the user that a reconcile and repair process is taking place. Since this is a small icon and is displayed only on the status bar, many users don’t even notice it in the first place. If Outlook starts to behave slowly, you should immediately see a gear icon showing that a repair process is in progress. Usually, once this process is complete, you should be able to access your OST files and Outlook should behave as usual.
Sometimes the slow behavior of Outlook is indicative of corruption in OST files and you may need to use more sophisticated tools to perform an Exchange recovery. Advanced Exchange Recovery is one such tool that can be used to quickly repair damaged OST files to minimize the amount of data lost.
The product can be found at http://www.exchange-recovery.com/
