However, if your email server supports ONLY a POP3, auto account setup will create a POP3 account. More often than not, it’s caused by either a corrupted Outlook profile or a change in the data file’s location. And though an error inbox repair tool alternative message might look worrying, you may be able to fix the problem.

Fixing 'Outlook Data File Cannot Be Accessed' Error on PC

Then, in the next window, make sure you're on the tab marked \"Sync and backup\". On the righthand side of the window, choose the button to \"manage backup\". In that window, ensure the \"Documents\" folder is not enabled to sync to OneDrive. You may need to move the Outlook data file back down from OneDrive. flush DNS and re-sync Outlook Sometimes, rather than keeping a backup it actually takes the files off your system and moves them up to the cloud.

• Sometimes, data files get corrupted in a way that none of the methods above can help.
• The Inbox Repair tool creates a backup file with the same name as the original, but with a .bak extension, and saves it in the same folder.
• If your email server supports both IMAP and POP3, auto account setup will create an IMAP account by default.

Stack Exchange Network

To make sure this is not the case, try opening Outlook and see if it found the data file. Then, in the next window, make sure you're on the tab marked "Sync and backup". On the righthand side of the window, choose the button to "manage backup".

What Our Users Say

During the syncing process, OneDrive locks the file, which prevents Outlook from accessing it, resulting in the "Outlook data file cannot be opened" error. You can try to repair Outlook data files to fix the error. This is a good solution if you think your data file might be corrupted. MS Outlook stores all the information related to your email account both online and in a local file on your computer.

Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost)

From single external hard drives, SSD’s, mobile devices to enterprise NAS, SAN, and RAID failures, we are ready to help recover from digital disasters, anywhere. When you want to replicate a copy on the cloud, manually copy the PST in the OneDrive folder. This will result in one copy in the folder in OneDrive being used for backup purposes, and another copy in your Outlook client that can be kept open by Outlook. Outlook 2013 and 2016, users of both have reported this issue.

Method 2 - Manually create an IMAP or POP3 email account

Sometimes, data files get corrupted in a way that none of the methods above can help. This might happen due to a power failure or improper shutdown, hardware issues, or viruses and malware. This could happen if, for example, OneDrive backs up your Documents folder Troubleshoot Office 365 Sync and Login Issues to the cloud and includes the Outlook Files folder where the file is located.