Re-initializing The Offline Files Cache And Database

By Author: miller
Total Articles: 1
Comment this article

The ability of MS Outlook to work offline makes it the best professional email client one can ever have. When Outlook works in offline mode, it uses its Offline file. The specialty of Offline Files (CSC or Client Side Caching) cache and database is that it has a built-in capability to restart if its contents are suspected of being corrupted. In any case, if corruption is suspected the Synchronization Wizard may return the following error message:
Unable to merge offline changes on \\server_name\share_name. The parameter is incorrect.

You can resolve this issue by following means:

Method 1:

The Offline Files cache is a default hidden folder structure located in the %SystemRoot%\CSC folder. The CSC folder, or any files and subfolders it contains, is not suggested to be modified directly. Doing so can result in data loss and a complete breakdown of Offline Files functionality.

If corruption in the database is suspected, then the files should be deleted using the Offline Files viewer. Once the files are deleted out of the Offline Files viewer, a synchronization of files may then be forced using ...
... Synchronization Manager. If the cache still does not appear to function correctly, you can reset an Offline Files using the following methodology:

1.In Folder Options, on the Offline Files tab, press CTRL+SHIFT, and then click Delete Files. The following message appears:
The Offline Files cache on the local computer will be re-initialized. Any changes that have not been synchronized with computers on the network will be lost. Any files or folders made available offline will no longer be available offline. A computer restart is required.
Do you wish to re-initialize the cache?

2.Click Yes two times to restart the computer.

Method 2

Another methodology to access the Offline Files tab, by re-initializing the Offline Files (CSC) cache on the system using method to modify the registry. You can use underneath given steps to re-initialize the offline files database/client-side cache on multiple systems as well. Add the following registry subkey: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\NetCache
Key Name: FormatDatabase
Key Type: DWORD
Key Value: 1

Normally, the actual value of the registry key is ignored; hence, registry change demands a restarted computer. When computer restarts, the shell will re-initialize the CSC cache, and then delete the registry key if the registry entry exists.

Sometimes, even these tricks do not work and you get in troublesome condition as orphaned OST file cannot be accessed in any means. However, if you know how to convert OST to PST, you can get through this problem. You cannot do it manually hence, you need to take the help of professional tool like Kernel for OST to PST Conversion tool. This tool tells you as how to convert OST to PST file in easiest possible way. It helps user convert entire OST file, including emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, posts, appointments, meeting requests, distribution lists, task requests, journals, notes, etc. with complete accuracy. It assures reliability and safety of data so that you sit at ease when you are watching how to convert OST to PST file.

Author of this article is an Outlook expert, who has good knowledge about rectifying Outlook related issues, such as repair PST file, open OST file by converting OST to PST, improving Outlook performance, etc. Her articles describe the process as how to convert OST to PST file.