How Do I Create a New Outlook Classic Profile with the correct Data File from the Correct Location?

1. The two locations are not the same

• C:\Users\Danny\AppData\Local\Microsoft\******@hotmail.com.ost is in the hidden AppData\Local folder. This is the default location for an Exchange/Outlook.com .ost (offline cached mailbox) file.
• C:\Users\Danny\Documents\Outlook Files is the default location for .pst files (personal data files) that are created or added manually.

So, these are different folders and typically contain different file types and purposes. The .ost in AppData is not the same as any file in Documents\Outlook Files.

2. Why the .ost does not appear when adding a data file

When adding a data file via the standard “Outlook Data File” dialog, Outlook usually offers the Documents\Outlook Files path and focuses on .pst files. The .ost file in AppData\Local will not normally appear there by default.

For an Outlook.com/Hotmail account, Outlook is designed to create and manage the .ost automatically when the account is added to the profile. Manually attaching an existing .ost is not the normal workflow.

3. How to create a new profile and point it to the desired .ost location

To use the same .ost location (or to create a new .ost in a specific location) for the Hotmail account in a new profile, follow the documented method that allows choosing the .ost path during account setup:

1. Copy or note the existing .ost (optional)
   • If the existing .ost should be reused, copy it to the folder where it should live (or leave it where it is if that is the desired location).
2. Open Mail in Control Panel and create a new profile
   • Open Control Panel → search for Mail → open Mail.
   • Select Show Profiles.
   • Select Add.
   • Enter a profile name (for example, Dan Outlook 22 April 26) and select OK.
   • Let Outlook find the account information and select Next.
   • After Outlook finishes the setup, select Change account settings, then Next.
3. Change the Outlook Data File (.ost) location during setup
   • In the Server Settings section, select More Settings.
   • On the Advanced tab, select Outlook Data File Settings.
   • Select Browse:
     • To reuse the existing .ost: browse to C:\Users\Danny\AppData\Local\Microsoft\ (or wherever the copied .ost is), select the ******@hotmail.com.ost file, then Open.
     • To create a new .ost in a specific folder: browse to the desired folder, type a file name (for example, ******@hotmail.com.ost), and select Open. Outlook will create a new .ost there.
   • Complete the wizard and select Finish.
4. Set the new profile as the one Outlook uses
   • Back in Mail → Show Profiles, select Always use this profile.
   • Choose the new profile (Dan Outlook 22 April 26) and select OK.

This process ensures the Hotmail account in the new profile uses the .ost file in the correct location (either the existing file or a newly created one in the chosen path).

Note: For Outlook.com/Hotmail, the .ost is only a cache of the mailbox stored on Microsoft servers. Even if a new .ost is created, all mail, calendar, and contacts stored in the server mailbox will resync.

References:

• You can't change the location of the offline Outlook Data File (.ost) in Microsoft Outlook
• Create an Outlook profile
• Classic Outlook not responding, stuck at "Processing," stopped working, or freezes