Summary: This guide summarizes the causes behind the ‘Outlook PST cannot be opened’ issue. In this guide, you will learn various methods to fix this error in MS Outlook for Windows. Also, you’ll get to know the ways to extract data from the problematic PST file and save it in a new working PST file for quick import.
Microsoft Outlook stores the mailbox data either in OST or PST file format. The Personal Storage Table (PST) file is created by default when you add or configure a POP account in MS Outlook.
Outlook syncs the mailbox data, such as emails, attachments, contacts, calendar, notes, etc. from the email server and saves it in the PST file. The PST file format is also used to backup and archive the Outlook Exchange, Office 365, and IMAP emails. One can open and access the emails stored in a backup PST file anytime via Outlook options. However, sometimes PST becomes inaccessible and thus, an error such as Outlook PST is in use and cannot be Opened, appears.
The file C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\user name\username.pst is in use and cannot be accessed. Close any application that is using this file, and then try again. You might need to restart your computer.
While it may appear that the PST file is being used by some other application, quitting all applications or restarting the computer might also not resolve this error. There could be several reasons that can trigger this error, such as,
Application crashes, frequent freezes, or failure to launch Outlook are some of the effects of PST file corruption. Since there are a number of reasons due to which PST files can get damaged/corrupt, users seldom have control over it. The most common reason is an oversized or large PST file, which is prone to corruption due to integrity issues. Thus, staying aware of the causes behind PST file corruption and the solutions is the best way to stay afloat in troubles.
In a nutshell, the corruption in PST file results in the error that prevents you from accessing your emails on MS Outlook. Thus, you must fix the error quickly to get back access to your emails.
Follow these methods in the given order to resolve this Outlook PST file error,
As the error suggests, you must find and close all the programs that might have access to the PST file and thus, preventing MS Outlook from accessing the same. To find out if any Outlook related processes are running in the background and to end them, follow these steps,
By opening Outlook in safe mode, you can find if the problem is caused by some faulty add-ins. If Outlook opens in safe mode without any hiccup, you must uninstall the third-party add-ins from the Outlook while running in safe mode. The steps are as follows,
If the above methods fail to resolve the Outlook PST error, there could be a problem with the PST file itself. As discussed earlier, a PST file may get damaged or corrupt due to various reasons.
However, MS Outlook comes with SCANPST.EXE, an Inbox Repair Tool which is located in the MS Office installation directory. The utility helps to repair a damaged or corrupt PST file which can’t be accessed in Outlook. By repairing the PST file, you may resolve the Outlook PST file error.
The steps are as follows,
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\ OfficeXX or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX
The XX, in the end, represents the Office version (see screenshot below).
The reasons for Inbox Repair Tool failure could be many as the utility does not support an encrypted or PST file larger than 2 GB.
If none of the above methods, including the Inbox Repair Tool, resolve the error, you can download, install, and run a much more advanced and powerful PST Repair Software, i.e. Stellar Repair for Outlook.
This software works deftly to fix the error ‘pst cannot be accessed’. Once it repairs the PST file, the tool also assists you in extracting all mailbox contents and saving them in a new usable PST file that can be directly imported into Outlook. The steps to fix Outlook PST file are as follows,
To Repair Outlook Data Files Manual Guide
Once the process completes, a pop-up will inform you of the same.
By following this guide, you can fix the common PST file errors, such as Outlook PST cannot be opened. However, if the error is not fixed by applying the manual methods, you can attempt to repair the PST file by using the Inbox Repair Tool or a more advanced Outlook recovery software such as Stellar Converter for Outlook. With this tool at hand, you won’t need any other product to fix any minor or major PST file issues in MS Outlook on Windows.
Also Read:
How to Prevent PST File Corruption?
How to Fix ‘PST File is not an Outlook Data File
Eric Simson is an Email Platform Consultant and is associated with Stellar Data Recovery from last 6 years. He writes about the latest technology tips and provides custom solutions related to MS Outlook, MS Exchange Server, Office 365, and many other Email Clients & Servers.
Fabulous, what a webssite iit is! This blolg provides seful facts to us, keep it up.
Yesterday, I ran ScanPST.exe seven times but did nothing for me. Now, I am hopeless. HELP ME!
I tried all the manual fixes you’ve explained above but none of them was unable to solve the issue,
Now, I am planning to test free demo. Is it safe for MS Outlook email application.
Yes!
Our software is 100% safe secure for MS outlook data file. It also doesn’t alter the original PST file.
I have just downloaded ScanPST.exe, but it fails to repair corrupt PST header repeatedly.
Now, patience is over. Please suggest an alternative solution if available.
Hello Marry,
Check the reference: https://www.stellarinfo.com/article/free-scanpst.exe-alternative.php
Yesterday, I encountered this error in Outlook 2016 mail account. But, I am still unable to fix this problem.
Help me.
Have you run Inbox Repair Tool?
Sorry for the delayed response!
Now, I am using Thunderbird without any problem. I also want to tell you that ‘Inbox Repair Tool’ was not useful to me. Right now, I am using Thunderbird without old emails.
Could you help me to get back those emails?
Hello Louise,
Thunderbird supports only archive file (.mbox) format for storage of emails, attachments, contacts and other items. To use the old emails of MS Outlook email application, you need to convert Outlook data (.pst) into Thunderbird (.mbox) file. For this, you can take help of Stellar PST to MBOX Converter – Win.
I have noticed that you had moved from Outlook due to fear of email loss. For these cases, sometimes ScanPST.exe is not working. In this situation, you can go for Stellar Outlook PST Repair.
Last week, I faced this error on my daughter’s new laptop. We are not technically sound so it was like a nightmare for us.
But, I got a helping hand (Stellar PST Repair Tool). I can say it really cares about non-technical MS Outlook users like me.
Whenever I am replying or forwarding any email, outlook 2010 deletes the message from the Inbox.
How can I stop this?
Hello,
You can fix this issue manually.
1. Open Outlook
2. Then, Follow the path: View>> Arrange by>> Current view>> Messages
3. Now, resetting the option from unread messaged in the folder to show all emails
4. Re-start the MS Outlook
After formatting my Windows 10 PC, I have copied 6 GB archive PST file from external HDD drive. But, it shows error whenever trying to import into Outlook 2016.
I also run ScanPST.exe but shows partial emails at the end of the process. But, the demo version Stellar PST Repair is showing all emails in the review of the result. I am going to register as soon possible.