Fix: Outlook.pst Cannot be Found

When trying to open Outlook, you may receive an error message that says “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. The set of folders cannot be opened. File access is denied. You do not have the permission required to access the file C:\Users\username\Documents\Outlook Files\filename.ost.” This error can be caused by a variety of factors, but most often it is caused by an issue with the user’s Outlook profile or the Outlook data file.

Fix: Outlook.pst Cannot be Found

Background

Microsoft Outlook is a widely used email client that stores email messages, contacts, calendar items, and other data in a file called a PST (Personal Folders) file. When you upgrade to a new version of Outlook, or if you move your Outlook data to a new computer, you may need to import your old PST file into the new Outlook application.

However, sometimes the process of importing a PST file can fail, and you may receive an error message saying that the PST file cannot be found. If this happens, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue.

First, check to make sure that the PST file you’re trying to import is actually located in the default Outlook folders. If it’s not, you’ll need to specify the location of the file.

Next, try running the Microsoft Outlook PST Repair tool. This tool can help fix problems with PST files that are preventing them from being imported.

Finally, if you’re still having trouble, you can try importing the PST file into a new Outlook profile. To do this, go to the File menu in Outlook and select New->Outlook Data File. Choose the option to create a new PST file, and then select the location of the old PST file you’re trying to import.

The Problem

If you’re using Microsoft Outlook and you’re suddenly unable to find your Outlook.pst file, don’t panic. There are a few things you can do to try and find it.

First, check the default location for the Outlook.pst file. On Windows, this is usually:

C:\Users\%username%\Documents\Outlook Files\

If you don’t see it there, try doing a search for Outlook.pst. If you’re still having no luck, it’s possible that the file has been moved or renamed. In that case, you’ll need to use the Outlook Data File Recovery Tool.

The Outlook Data File Recovery Tool is a Microsoft utility that can help you recover lost or corrupted Outlook data files. To use it, you’ll need the location of your Outlook.pst file. Once you have that, you can download and run the tool.

Hopefully, this will help you get your Outlook.pst file back. If not, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

The Solution

If you’re getting the “Outlook.pst cannot be found” error, it means that your Outlook data file is missing or corrupted. To fix the problem, you’ll need to recreate the file.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Close Outlook.

2. Go to the location of your data file. The default location is:

C:UsersDocumentsOutlook Files

3. Right-click the Outlook data file and select Rename.

4. Add the .bak extension to the end of the file name. For example, if your file is named “Outlook.pst,” you would rename it to “Outlook.pst.bak.”

5. Start Outlook.

6. When prompted, choose the option to create a new data file.

7. Follow the wizard to create the new file.

8. Once the file is created, you can drag and drop your old emails and data into the new file.

Conclusion

If you’re having trouble finding your Outlook.pst file, there are a few things you can do to try and locate it. First, check your default Outlook data file location. If you can’t find it there, try searching your computer for *.pst files. If you still can’t find it, you may need to restore it from a backup.