{"id":2011,"date":"2026-09-26T06:27:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T06:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goldytools.com\/blog\/?p=2011"},"modified":"2026-09-26T06:27:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T06:27:09","slug":"hotmail-ost-is-not-an-outlook-data-file-error","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goldytools.com\/blog\/hotmail-ost-is-not-an-outlook-data-file-error\/","title":{"rendered":"Hotmail OST is not an Outlook Data File Error"},"content":{"rendered":"

The primary purpose of this blog is to offer practical fixes for the often occurring Microsoft Outlook issue “Hotmail.ost is not an Outlook data file.” However, talking about solutions directly will be insufficient information. Thus, before I offer fixes for “Hotmail,” I will provide some fundamental facts to fix error “hotmail.ost cannot be accessed.”<\/p>\n

An extra plugin called “Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector” is needed when setting up a Hotmail account in Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft Outlook generates .ost file to store emails, contacts, notes, calendar items, and more once you set up a Hotmail account. This OST file allows the user to read content even in the absence of an internet connection.<\/p>\n

Why Hotmail.ost is not an outlook data file error is generated by Microsoft Outlook? <\/h2>\n

Until you remove your profile or uninstall Microsoft Outlook, the OST files generated by Outlook for your Hotmail account function properly. However, when you erase your profile or reinstall Microsoft Outlook, the OST file becomes unavailable and generates frequent errors like:<\/p>\n