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 connection status shows disconnected message might look worrying, you may be able to fix the problem.

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

In that window, ensure the "Documents" folder is not enabled to sync to OneDrive. Timothy Burlee is a content writer for Secure Data clear Outlook credentials manager Recovery Services. He specializes in various topics in the data industry, including data recovery technology, storage devices, and digital forensics.

• So you'll want to make sure OneDrive is not syncing that folder.
• I am transferring all my files from a Windows 10 PC to a new Windows 11 PC and am having issues moving my Outlook .PST files for POP accounts.
• On the other hand, accounts through Office 365, Exchange Server, Outlook.com, and IMAP store information offline in Outlook data files (.ost files).
• You can check the location of your Outlook Data Files in Outlook.
• The Lost and Found folder contains any folders and items recovered by the repair tool that Outlook can't place in their original structure.
• Then, in the next window, make sure you're on the tab marked \"Sync and backup\".
• You need to configure your OneDrive to not back up the directory where your Outlook data file resides.

Stack Exchange Network

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

If repairing the file doesn’t solve the issue, you can try creating a new Outlook profile and adding your existing file to it. This could help if you’re dealing with configuration issues but the file itself is okay. I successfully moved my Outlook PST files onto my new computer. The issue I got caught on relates to the required steps in Outlook to switch files. I am transferring all my files from a Windows 10 PC to a new Windows 11 PC and am having issues moving my Outlook .PST files for POP accounts.

Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost)

It even comes with features like auto-split to split large PST files and export the PST contents directly to Microsoft 365. You can create a new Outlook Data File and drag the items in the Lost and Found folder into the new data file. After you've moved all the items, you can remove the Recovered Personal Folders (.pst) file, including the Lost and Found folder. To create a new Outlook Data File, go to Create an Outlook Data File. If your email server supports both IMAP and POP3, auto account setup will create an IMAP account by default. You will need to follow the manual steps in order to create a POP3 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 online Outlook email repair utility to the cloud and includes the Outlook Files folder where the file is located.