OL97: How to Disable Offline Folders

Microsoft Outlook 97 and the Microsoft Exchange Server Information Service enable you to work with folders "offline." That is, you can use the contents of a folder without a network connection, which is beneficial for remote users. This article discusses how you can disable offline folders.

To disable an offline folder file, follow these steps:

1. On the Outlook Bar, click Inbox.
2. On the Tools menu, click Services.
3. In the "The following information services are set up in this profile" box, click Microsoft Exchange Server.
4. Click Properties, and then click the Advanced tab.
5. In the Microsoft Exchange Server dialog box, click the "Offline Folder File Settings" button.
6. In the "Offline Folder File Settings" dialog box, click Disable Offline Use.

NOTE: To permanently remove the offline folder file from your computer hard disk, you must delete it. The default location and file name for this file is your <windows folder>\Exchange.ost.

In later versions of Outlook and Exchange you will see a checkbox marked Enable Offline Use in the Advanced Tab, This does not disable the OST. You still need to select the "Disable Offline Use" button under "Offline Folder Settings