OL2002: How to Restore a Deleted or Modified Outlook Offline Profile (290855)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
This article was previously published under Q290855
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

This article describes a procedure for recovering a modified or deleted Outlook profile that is used to synchronize with a Microsoft Exchange Server mailbox.

The procedure is for use only on a Microsoft Windows 98 computer and employs the Windows 98 utility Windows Registry Checker (Scanreg.exe), to restore a copy of the system registry that contains information on the deleted or modified profile.

MORE INFORMATION

CAUTION: This procedure should be performed only in the case where the offline store file (.ost) cannot be opened by other means. The following points should be considered:
  • Microsoft Windows programs installed recently may not function if a previous copy of the system registry is restored. You must reinstall these programs in most cases.
  • This procedure should only be attempted on the computer where the .ost file was created originally.
  • Using this procedure to repair a damaged profile may not be successful.
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.


Use the following steps to recover an offline profile by restoring a previous copy of the system registry:
  1. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then click Restart in MS-DOS mode.
  2. Click OK.
  3. At the MS-DOS prompt, type scanreg.exe, and then press ENTER.
  4. In Check Your Registry, press the S key to start the Registry Checker.
  5. Press the V key to view the registry backups.
  6. Select the date of a registry backup that is previous to the deletion or modification of the desired profile.
  7. Press the R key to restore the selected registry backup. When the restore process is complete, press the R key to restart your computer.

    NOTE: You must log on to Windows and not bypass the password prompt by clicking Cancel.
  8. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  9. Double-click the Mail or Mail and Fax icon. Click Show Profiles. If necessary, select the desired profile from the When starting Microsoft Outlook, use this profile box.
Start Outlook. The offline folders and data should now be present. For additional information about the security used with offline folders, profiles, and Exchange Server mailboxes, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

163589 XCLN: Restoring from an OST after Deleting the Mailbox

For additional information about the Registry Checker tool, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

183887 Description of the Windows Registry Checker Tool (Scanreg.exe)

183603 How to Customize Registry Checker Tool Settings

201655 Error Message: You Have Restored a Good Registry

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/27/2006
Keywords:kbhowto KB290855
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