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 Source Webpage 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. FixTechGuide Windows update Outlook fix Sometimes, rather than keeping a backup it actually takes the files off your system and moves them up to the cloud.

• In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find practical methods to resolve the error and recover your data, whether you’re dealing with a corrupted file or a disconnected profile.
• That is almost definitely the problem and it's very common unfortunately.
• POP accounts store information directly on your computer in Outlook .pst files.
• This is a good solution if you think your data file might be corrupted.
• However, if your email server supports ONLY a POP3, auto account setup will create a POP3 account.
• In the Folder Pane, you might see a folder named Recovered Personal Folders that contains your default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder.

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By default, the Outlook data file resides in your local user's \"Documents\" folder. So you'll want to make sure OneDrive is not syncing that folder. By default, the Outlook data file resides in your local user's "Documents" folder. In the Folder Pane, you might see a folder named Recovered Personal Folders that contains your default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder. Although the repair process might recreate some of the folders, they may be empty. The Lost and Found folder contains any folders and items recovered by the repair tool that Outlook can't place in their original structure.

What Our Users Say

I tried using the repair process (SCANPST.EXE) which appeared to detect issues but also appeared to complete a successful repair, but the issue persists. I tried to manually access the OST file location and I could read the file just fine. If this diagnostic step works and fixes the error, disabling your add-ins should help prevent it from happening again. Creating new Outlook profile or rebooting the computer fixes the issue. Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent. You can check the location of your Outlook Data Files in Outlook.

Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost)

You can use the Inbox Repair tool (SCANPST.EXE) to diagnose and repair errors in your Outlook data file. The Inbox Repair tool checks the Outlook data files on your computer to see if they're in good shape. It can recover all the mailbox items from the corrupted file and save them to a new PST file, which you can import into your Outlook profile. It can also allow saving the recovered PST data to other file formats, like MSG, EML, HTML, RTF, and PDF.

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 flush DNS and re-sync Outlook to the cloud and includes the Outlook Files folder where the file is located.