Find Out How You Can Prevent Lync from Locking Outlook’s .ost File

Unified communication platforms have proffered businesses with a wider set and options to make their communication better. Lync along with Outlook does just that by providing a wider range of options communication on the confined environment of Microsoft Outlook. This includes communication via, text, video, voice, and streaming of media. However, a stable synchronization between both the services is an ultimate requirement which is fulfilled with correct configuration and settings applied. Similarly, in this blog we will cover the tips on how to prevent Lync from locking Outlook’s .ost file along with the reason provided on why it does so in the first place.

Prevent Lync from Locking Outlook’s .ost File without Service Termination

Most users who have confronted the issue and got stuck with it chose to terminate either of the two services to get rid of the issue. But what about those who run businesses dependent on Lync services and can’t just quit it?

We will outline the troubleshooting tips that will not only prevent Lync from locking the Offline Storage Table file but also let you continue using the unified communication service.

Why?

When using Lync services with Microsoft Office (Outlook), one can save conversation directly to their Outlook Data File. However, in order to do the same Lync has set its own rules, i.e. it will need accessing the account’s OST file.

This is how connection of Lync and Outlook involves the usage and possibility of locking OST file. The process usually works in an absolutely proper manner and remains unnoticed to the end user, but only under normal circumstances.

What?

What happens in this case is exactly what happens in any case when some issue takes place, error. You will receive an error every time you try accessing something on your Outlook or within the OST data file. Some of the errors that are common to appear are illustrated as follows:

The worst that can happen is Outlook will crash.

How?

Finding out how to prevent Lync from locking Outlook’s .ost file is not a difficult part. Given below is the solution to fix the issue and tips to prevent it from reoccurring in future.

First of all, the issue arises because Outlook is probably running in a Windows compatibility mode. Compatibility mode option may have been provided with Outlook but you are not required to use it, especially when you are using any of the latest Windows versions (as we assume you are).

TIP: This mode is only applicable on applications that are extremely old. So, if the option is enabled, disable it and if it isn’t enabled do not even consider enabling it.

If errors are being received that ‘the file cannot be accessed as it is in use on some other program’ (Lync) then you need to check the compatibility settings of the program.

1. To disable the mode or just check its status find the Outlook setup file. Right click on the ‘exe’ and click on Properties.
2. Click on the tab for Compatibility. Now uncheck if the checkbox for Compatibility mode is checked.
3. Also uncheck the checkbox for running program as Administrator as it should not be used unless very necessary.

In Case The Issue Is Unresolved…

If the issue still remains unresolved then you are advised to follow the steps given below that will repair your Office 365 installation.

1. Close all the applications of MS Office, i.e. Outlook and Lync too.
2. Start Task Manager and check whether all Office processes are closed.
3. Go to the Control Panel and select Programs and Features. Click on Microsoft Office 365.
4. Click on Change and select the Quick Repair option followed by Repair.
5. When asked to close programs click on Close All.
6. After repair run Outlook and then open Lync to check if the issue has been rectified.

Conclusion: This is how you get rid of the errors and issues cropping up in a unified communication platform of Lync and Outlook. Always make sure that when using both the services, run Outlook first and then Lync. This will prevent Lync from locking Outlook’s .ost file. You will no longer see any errors because, before Lync could access OST, Outlook already has access to it.