"Cannot display the folder. MS Outlook cannot access the specified file location"

E

Edmart

New Member
Outlook version
Outlook 365 64 bit
Email Account
IMAP
Operating system::    Windows 11 64 bit
Outlook version:     Classic Outlook
Email type or host:    IMAP and Gmail
Dear Diane,

On moving my e-mail to Gmail, I went from POP to IMAP. Eventually that settled down. I battled to share my Gmail calendar with my wife, and eventually succeeded. At some point Microsoft insisted on giving me yet another outlook.com e-mail account (of which I reckon I have no need, but if Bill Gates thinks otherwise, well......).

Then I felt very relaxed until I had the above error, coupled with 'The requested operation cannot be completed because the operation is not supported on this object' when I search for an address from a new e-mail by hitting the 'To' button. If I click 'ok' on that, and look at the available Address Books, I have the GAL; Contacts; and my 'new' (and I reckon unwanted) @outlook.com account. All of them are empty, but at least the outlook.com account has the grace to say: 'No entries in this address book'.

What I actually WANT to appear here is my 'OffCal 2023-WolOptiplex.pst' file, which is where my addresses actually are. Something funny is happening here, and I think this must be the root of my issue. Instead of there being one .pst file of that name which updates itself as life progresses (which always used to happen) it keeps having children, at unspecified intervals, see screenshot below:_

1732686787645.png

Moreover, as you see, sometimes they are about 50MB in size, sometimes 1.5GB.

My last points (which perhaps gives a clue?) are:-

1. that this first happened I think three days ago - anyway, AFTER 20th November when the file last successfully synced with OneDrive. I've no idea why currently it appears not to have synced successfully; and

2. that if I go into File-Account Settings-Account Settings-Address Books, all I see is 'Outlook Address Book - MAPI'.

STOP PRESS:

I have just realised I have two copies of my OffCal 2023 fold 'opened' as ODFs in Outlook. I wonder why. Surely I should delete one of them? Or at least 'close' it?

I hope that gives you a good picture, because I am flummoxed!

I'd love some help, please.....

If as well as solving the problem, you could add any tips as to how I can best stop it recurring, that would be the icing on the cake!

Best wishes,

Ed Martineau
 
If you did not create the duplicates - then its because they are in OneDrive. (although OneDrive doesn't usually create duplicates).

Is the one with the current date complete - does it have all your data? If so, close Outlook and move it out of OneDrive to a folder that does not sync ("C:\outlook files" works. Just remember to copy it to OneDrive every now and again as a backup.)

After moving it, open Outlook and when it complains it can't find it, browse to the new folder.

After opening it in outlook, right click on the contacts folder > properties and make sure it is enabled as an address book. In Address book options, select the contacts in this folder as the default address book.
www.slipstick.com

Choose Which Address List is Shown First When You Click To

How to change the order of your address lists (Contact folders) in the Show Name from list.
www.slipstick.com www.slipstick.com


On the Outlook.com account - did you create it to sign into the computer or buy office? If you aren't using it for email, you don't need it as an account in Outlook - but don't forget the address and password or you will be SOL if you are using it for something. I recommend adding your real (non-Microsoft) address to the account as an alias - you can use it to sign it, provided you don't forget the password. (They might offer to send a link to that address to sign in.)
 
Dear Diane,

That sounds like a plan: a good plan!

Thanks a lot. I'll report back when I have done that.

Best wishes,

Ed
 
Dear Diane,

Well - that did the business: thank you so very much!

Just because it irritates me operating via a - albeit successful - workround, rather than coping with a Microsoft oddity, can you proffer any clue as to why my desktop (laptop as well....) is generating .pst 'children' files at irregular intervals?

It just seems a strange thing to do!

Best wishes,

Ed
 
Wow, I wish I could take a stake and drive it through the heart of everything OneDrive. It is so insidiously buried in everything in Win 11 & MS Office that I'm close to moving completely off MS onto Libre Office. The worst part is that it forces its way into the SAVE menus of all Office apps. And just as I thought I had killed it off and uninstalled it via some reg hacks, I find that getting rid of the file save nonsense DISABLES online help and templates in MS Office.
 
Dear Diane,

I am coming back to you regarding the Outlook.com account.

In answer to your points, no, I did not use it to log in to my account, nor to buy office. I have its address and password saved carefully, and an alias. So I reckon I am free to get rid of it...... BUT.....

How do I do it?

When I right click on it within Outlook, 'Remove 'xxxx@gmail.com' is greyed out.

When I go into File-Account Settings-Account Settings, the e-mail tab shows it (happily NOT as the default), as Type Microsoft Exchange - but the Data Files tab shows it as the default. I had the bright idea of changing the default to my Gmail account (they both stating that they are .ost accounts), but you will see from what I attach that the 'Mail Delivery Location' pop up claims that it is trying to deal with a .pst account!

Not only is that not true, but my mail is NOT - thank heaven! - currently delivered to the default, outlook.com account.

That leaves me confused, and not having a clue where to go from here......

I'd really welcome your advice.

Best wishes,

Ed
 

Attachments

Edmart,

Have never had your specific problem, but the only way I could figure out to solve a similar issue with "dead" accounts was to create a new Outlook Profile and then populate it with only my "live" accounts and .PST's. A bit extreme but you can create a new profile, make sure everything is working OK, and then just make it the Default profile. Without having to touch the old Profile.
 
This error typically occurs when Outlook cannot access the data file due to corruption or file location issues. Here are a few things you can try:

  1. Check File Permissions: Ensure the file location has the correct permissions for Outlook to access.
  2. Repair Outlook Data File: Run the built-in ScanPST tool to repair the Outlook data file.
  3. Move the File: If the file is stored in a network location or external drive, try moving it to a local folder and reconnect Outlook.
 
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