We send emails almost every day, and while some users prefer webmail, others use email clients. And Outlook from Microsoft is often the preferred choice. But many users reported getting the Outlook data file cannot be accessed error.

Check our explanations for an easy and efficient solution

  • Many users reported getting the Outlook data file cannot be accessed error and were unable to send or receive emails.

  • It’s usually the missing PST file or a corrupt Outlook profile to blame for the problem.

  • To fix things, create a new Outlook profile, modify the Registry, or repair Office, among other solutions here.

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The error prevents users from sending or receiving emails and could be for many reasons. So, let’s find out all about the Outlook data file cannot be accessed send receive error.

Why does Outlook data file cannot be accessed message appear?

Here are a few reasons why you get the Outlook data file cannot be accessed error in Outlook 2016:

  • Corrupt user profile – In most cases, it was a corrupt profile that triggered the error, and rebuilding the Outlook profile fixed things.
  • Issues with Microsoft Office – Oftentimes, problems with Microsoft Office can lead to issues with Outlook and other applications that are a part of the suite.
  • The data file’s location was changed – If you have moved the Outlook files or used a tool to migrate the data while upgrading, chances are that the data file is not in the default location and cannot be accessed.

How can I fix the Outlook data file cannot be accessed?

Before we head to the slightly tricky solutions, here are a few quick ones to try:

  • If this is the first time you get the error message, restart the computer since it has fixed many things.
  • Disable any third-party antivirus on the computer, and check if the Outlook data file cannot be accessed error in Outlook 365 is resolved.

If these don’t work, the ones below should do the trick.

1. Create a new profile

  • Press Windows + S to open Search, type Control Panel, and click on the relevant search result.
  • Enter Mail in the search field, and click on Mail (Microsoft Outlook).
  • Click on Show Profiles.
  • Now, click on the Add button.
  • Enter a profile name, and click on OK.
  • Next, fill out the various fields here, and proceed with the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Once done, check whether the Outlook data file cannot be accessed error is fixed. If not, head to the next solution.

2. Verify the location of the PST file

You also need to make sure that the OST file is present in the default location because if it’s now, Outlook might throw errors. So, head to the following location, where Username is the current profile, and verify the same:C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

If you started getting the Outlook data file cannot be accessed errror after moving PST, this should fix things.

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3. Modify the Registry

  • Press Windows + R to open Run, type regedit, and hit click OK.
  • Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  • Now, paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\PST
  • Now, locate the PromptRepair DWORD, double-click on it, change the Value data to 0, and click OK to save the changes.

4. Disable OneDrive

  • Click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray, select the gear icon, and then choose Settings.
  • Navigate to the Accounts tab, and click on Unlink this PC.
  • Click on Unlink account to confirm.

That’s it! Many users reported the Outlook data file cannot be accessed error in the shared mailbox due to issues with OneDrive, and unlinking the PC should fix things.

5. Repair Office

  • Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
  • Locate and select Microsoft Office, and then click on Change.
  • Now, select Online Repair, click on Repair, and allow Office to fix issues with it.

If nothing else worked, an online repair should get things up and running since the problem most likely lies with Outlook. From now on, you wouldn’t receive the Outlook data file cannot be accessed error in Windows.

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Using specialized software like Stellar Repair for Outlook may also be a great help, as it is specially designed to recover mailbox items from corrupted or inaccessible .pst files.

With this app, you can export mailbox data in EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF formats and you can save the restored data on any storage media, such as internal system storage, external hard drive, or network storage through the host system.

⇒ Get Stellar Repair for Outlook

Also, find out what to do if Outlook runs slow in Windows.

Don’t hesitate to contact the comments section below for any other questions.

If the advices above haven’t solved your issue, your PC may experience deeper Windows problems. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. After installation, simply click the Start Scan button and then press on Repair All.

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