Foolproof Fixes for Outlook Data File Cannot be Accessed Error

The OST or offline storage file is a file that is formed on the local system when you set Outlook with an Exchange account. It is a synced copy of all your mailbox information and stores content such as attachments, contacts, notes, and emails. However, when it gets corrupt, you see the Outlook data file cannot be accessed or 0X8004010F error. The error obstructs the email sending and receiving process, which in turn results in the wastage of a considerable time. 

 

Outlook users are increasingly reporting this error. But there are several ways to fix it and make Outlook identify the data file. Keep reading this article to learn about the different fixes.

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Fixes for Outlook Data File Cannot Be Accessed Error.

There are various ways to fix a corrupt Outlook profile. Here are the various techniques to address this problem. 

 

• Use a new primary profile in Outlook.

It’s one of the simplest techniques to resolve this issue. It works by helping you eliminate problems with the configuration of the old profile. 

 

1. Launch the ‘Control Panel.’ 
2. Now, tap the ‘View by‘ menu present at the top-right part. 
3. Here, choose the ‘Large icons’ option.
4. To access email settings, tap ‘Mail.’
5. Now, tap ‘Show profiles‘ to see your Outlook profile. 
6. Select the current profile and tap ‘Properties.’
7. Tap the ‘Data files’ button to know the location where your data is saved. 
8. You’ll see the location of the file on the next screen. 
9. Now, create a new Outlook profile. Launch ‘Control Panel‘ and tap the ‘Mail‘ option.
10. Choose the ‘Show profile’ button. 
11. To add a new profile, tap ‘Add‘ on the subsequent screen. 
12. Input a name for the profile in its name and tap ‘OK.’
13. In the email setup wizard, choose the ‘Manual Setup or Additional Server Types.’
14. Tap’ Next‘ to begin configuring your email account. 
15. Choose your account type and tap ‘Next.’
16. Fill in the relevant email account data in the subsequent screen. 
17. Then, choose ‘Existing Outlook data file‘ option and tap the ‘Browse’ button. 
18. Go to Outlook’s data file path you saw earlier and choose that file. 
19. Tap ‘Finish‘ in the email account setup wizard. 
20. Return to the mailbox and select your newly made profile. 
21. Tap ‘OK.’

 

• Disable the Exchange Cached mode.

A corrupt cached data is the cause of the Outlook data file cannot be accessed error if the related Outlook account is employed in the Exchange Cached mode. To fix it, you must disable the Exchange Cached mode of Outlook. 

 

1. Close Outlook. Ensure to kill all of the associated processes in the task manager. 
2. Next, launch Control Panel. 
3. Now, choose the ‘Large icons’ option and open ‘Mail.’
4. Then, tap ‘Email Accounts.’
5. Next, choose the problematic email account in the ‘Email‘ tab, and tap ‘Change.’
6. Now, launch ‘More Settings‘ and navigate to the ‘Advanced‘ tab. 
7. Un-tick the ‘Download shared folders’ option. Then, ‘Apply‘ the changes. 
8. Open Outlook and see if it’s working correctly. 

 

• Setup POP3 account manually in Outlook.

You must follow the manual procedure to configure a POP3 account if your email server supports it. After that, you can link the current Outlook data file to it.

 

1. In ‘Control Panel’, click the ‘Mail‘ option.
2. Tap’ Show Profiles’ followed by ‘Add:.’
3. After typing the profile name, tap ‘OK.’
4. Next, tap ‘Manually configure server settings or add additional server types.’
5. Now tap ‘Next.’
6. Opt for ‘POP, IMAP‘ or ‘Internet Email‘ and hit ‘Next.’
7. Input your account information and then test the settings.
8. Choose the existing Outlook data file option and then browse to choose the current PST file.
9. Tap ‘Next‘ followed by ‘Close‘ and then ‘Finish.’

 

• Modify the registry of your system 

It is a bit technical process and requires you to pay a lot of attention. You can utilize the registry of the system to force the PST path. 

1. Look for ‘Registry Editor,’ right-tap on it, and choose ‘Run as administrator.’
2. Head over to this path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook
3. Now, right-tap Outlook and choose ‘New.’
4. After that, select ‘Expandable string value.’
5. Double-tap the value and input its name as ‘ForcePSTPath.’
6. Input the PST file path’s value in the ‘Value Data’ field and tap ‘OK.’
7. Exit the Registry Editor. After that, reboot your system.
8. Open Outlook and see if error 0X8004010F persists.

 

• Use the Microsoft Repair tool.

If you’ve tried all the measures above but still find that Outlook data file cannot be accessed,’ the last thing you can do is to use the repair tool. Its inbuilt in the Office installation. Here are the steps to repair Outlook using it.

 

1. Launch ‘Settings.’ 
2. Now, choose ‘Apps‘ from the next screen.
3. Go down the list till you see ‘Microsoft Office‘ or ‘Microsoft 365.’
4. Tap the Office entry and choose ‘Modify.’
5. When Windows prompts for permissions, tap ‘Yes.’
6. Now, the repair tool will enquire how you want to repair Outlook. 
7. Select ‘Quick Repair.’
8. If this option doesn’t resolve the problem, choose ‘Online Repair.’

 

• Modify the mail delivery location.

You can also add another data file and configure Outlook in a manner that it uses it to store your emails. It will form a new data file for Outlook. 

 

1. Launch the Start menu and open Outlook. 
2. Tap the ‘File‘ tab. 
3. From the left sidebar, choose ‘Info.’
4. Now, on the right side pane, choose ‘Account Settings.’
5. Follow this by choosing ‘Account Settings’ again. 
6. Now, you’ll come to the Email tab. Change to the ‘Data Files’ tab and tap the ‘Add’ button. It will add a new data file. 
7. Outlook will ask you the location you want to save the file in. select one and input a name for your file. 
8. Then, tap ‘OK‘ to save it. 
9. Choose the file you’ve created and tap ‘Set as Default.’

 

Final Words

Data files are essential for exchanging emails in outlook or other email clients. Errors like Outlook data file cannot be accessed get displayed when the files are unavailable or corrupt. These methods will help fix it. But if they don’t, you can always seek the assistance of email technical support services. The experts are always ready to resolve email technical glitches.

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