Fix the Error Outlook PST is in Use and Cannot be Accessed
In Microsoft Outlook, all the mailbox data on the local machine is stored within a file named as Personal Storage Table file or PST. If this file is damaged or corrupted then it has the ability to make MS Outlook inaccessible for you. The .pst is also considered as an open proprietary file for storing copies of calendars, messages, and other data items within Microsoft software. In this blog, we will be focusing on a certain issue caused due to PST file corruption that is Outlook PST is in use and cannot be accessed error message. We will also discuss how to handle this problem by using splitting PST files technique.
What is Outlook PST is in Use and Cannot be Accessed Error?
Several Outlook users post queries on forums stating that MS Outlook damaged suddenly while working and when they try to continue, it shows the error message:
In the case of some users, the restarting process may solve this issue, for some others it may not. In this case, you can go for technical solutions like manual approaches. You can get the actual reasons and solutions for this problem from the following sections. Before that, you can see one user query regarding the error Outlook PST file could not be accessed.
“Once suddenly my outlook stop its working. I get an error saying that Outlook.pst file could not be accessed. After researching this problem I found that the error appeared because of oversized PST file. Can anyone help me to solve this situation?”
Why the Error Occurs?
Before moving to the solution, you should know why it occurs. This will help you to prevent the issue happening again. Th major reasons behind the error Outlook PST cannot be found is the corruptions in PST file. The reasons behind the corruptions are:
- PST file exceeding its maximum size limit
- Virus and other malware issues
- Sudden loss of power
Fix Outlook PST is in Use and Cannot be Accessed Manually
If the reason for the error is its large PST file size, then you can proceed the following two approaches to fix the problem manually:
Approach#1- Delete Unwanted Files
To delete the unwanted items, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Open archive PST
Step 2: Select the items to be deleted
Step 3: Click on “Delete” to delete the items
Step 4: Clear “Deleted Items folder” to remove them permanently.
Approach#2- Reduce PST File Size
When users delete their Mailbox data items from PST file, the removed emails will automatically compact in the background. The steps to reduce Outlook PST file size is given below:
Step 1: Delete the unimportant item.
Step 2: Open Folder list view and then click on the Folder list icon.
Step 3: In the navigation pane right click on the “Deleted Items folder” and then select “Empty Folder”.
Step 4: Now press the “File” tab.
Step 5: Click on “Account Settings”.
Step 6: Click on the data file that you need to compact from the data files tab and then select the “Settings”.
Step 7: Select the “Advanced” tab and then click on “Outlook Data File Settings”.
Step 8: From settings click on “Compact Now” and then click on “OK”.
Limitations of Manual Methods:
The above manual methods can resolve the error cannot access my PST file. In some situation, it may lead to the data loss. Also, the non-technical users can’t easily understand the above methods because it makes some confusion.
Outlook PST is in Use and Cannot be Accessed- Software Fix
When manual approaches failed to provide the correct result, then the third-party tools work efficiently. The utility like SysTools Split PST can save a lot of time of users by providing the perfect result within few minutes. The software can fix the issue cannot access my PST file by splitting the PST file on the basis of year, date, and size also. The tool supports Microsoft Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, & 2003 versions.
Conclusion
This article describes different approaches to fix the error Outlook PST is in use and cannot be accessed. But the manual methods won’t be suitable for all users so it is necessary to move into the third-party tools. The Split PST tool described in this blog can easily and efficiently split PST file by this way the user can solve most of the PST file issues without any hurdle.