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

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

• 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\".
• This might happen due to a power failure or improper shutdown, hardware issues, or viruses and malware.

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)

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

Try a free demo of our Outlook Express File Repair to recover your data or run through our troubleshooting guide to understand several ways to fix Outlook error 0x f. That is the file Outlook uses to cache your Outlook Not Sending or Receiving Email mail on the system. Before you change any settings or troubleshoot further, use these steps to check your connectivity and settings, and try restarting Outlook and your computer.