Outlook .pst files will not syncronizie on OneDrive

Question

Hi,

On my Win 11 laptop I have my .pst files in a local catalogue on my laptop. That catalogue is synchronized with OneDrive in purpose to always have a fresh copy of the files on OneDrive. However, it doesn’t seem to work (maybe as the files are open when Outlook is “open”).

When I close the Outlook program/App some of the files seem to continue to be open and the synchronization does not work.

The Outlook is a new Microsoft 365.

Anyone that can suggest a better method to have the .pst files synchronized

Answer 1

Hi

Outlook keep the copy open when it's open. Syncronizing PST by having outlook to directly open a file on OneDrive can lead to corruption inside your PST.

I suggest to manually copy the PST inside the OneDrive's folder when you want a copy on the cloud. That will lead to have a copy inside OneDrive's folder for backup purpose, and another's one inside your Outlook client that can stay open by Outlook.

Outlook .PST files are supported, however they are synced less frequently compared to other file types to reduce network traffic. To prevent uploading .PST files from the OneDrive sync app, read Blocking syncing of specific file types. To move .PST files out of OneDrive, read How to remove an Outlook PST data file from OneDrive. If users enable PC folder backup (Known Folder Move) manually without the group policy, they will see an error if they have a .PST file in one of their known folders (e.g. Documents). If Known Folder Move is enabled and configured via group policy, .PST files will be migrated. Outlook may show errors after .PST files are migrated because it is still looking for .PST files at original location.

Answer 2

I have a simple solution. Close Outlook, Pause Syncing (2 hours is smallest increment), count to three, Un-Pause syncing.

Your Outlook file should upload.

Now, before you kick up and open Outlook on another computer (which I do), either logoff or shutdown the first computer. You DON'T want to have both computers logged on as there is a chance Outlook will load in the background and suddenly you will have two (2) versions of the PST file, although it will be uniquely named like "Outlook-MyComputer.pst" You will then need to figure out what is the latest Outlook file and then delete or rename the files. It is a bit of a pain.

Answer 3

So, why will my outlook.pst files only sync after I reboot my computer? I thought, and it used to be, syncing was automatic.

Answer 4

It could be because some Outlook processes still locks the PST file even after Outlook app is closed. These processes can be manually killed via Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Delete) or a reboot.

Answer 5

I have the same problem. Here is the issue. I have a file called backup.pst that my sync keeps getting stuck on. It won't let me identify where it is in my thousands of files and folders. When I search OneDrive for this "backup.pst" file it gives me matches that have nothing to do with this file name??? I have tried killing the Outlook process which should have nothing to do with a "BACKUP.pst" file????