Solved Old Outlook won't work

Dave in Houston · Apr 27, 2025

antspants said:
Although I was actually looking at some of Davids stuff and came across this, it looks like it was already situated in the OneDrive path. If the path had changed, Outlook would show a particular message, cannot find Outlook data file or something.

View attachment 132419

Looks like it is indeed getting something like "cannot find the Outlook data file."

antspants · Apr 27, 2025

Hi, Dave.

I can fix this, what I can't do is give you steps here because it could be one of many and could get complicated due to having to add a new (the same) data file and then removing the old location. It can get buggy.

Do you have time to connect with me? PM me.

Actually I'll PM you with our old conversation.

antspants · Apr 27, 2025

The quickest way Dave, is as follows

Close Outlook
Go to the Documents\Outlook files\ folder
Create a new folder on the Outlook Files Folder "and call the folder anything you like
Move the PST file you're using into that folder
Start Outlook
Outlook will tell you it cant find the PST file

Click OK
It will open a box, direct it to the PST file you moved into the new folder
Select the PST file

Click Open
Outlook will continue starting

If you want to move the PST file back to the original spot:

Close Outlook again
Repeat the steps again

Steps, 2 steps modified this time:

Close Outlook
Go to the Documents\Outlook files\ folder you created
Move the PST file from the folder you created, back into the Documents\Outlook Files\ folder
Start Outlook
Outlook will tell you it cant find the PST file
Click OK
It will open a box, direct it to the PST file in Documents\Outlook Files\
Click Open
Outlook will continue starting

Should be fixed

The only thing I am concerned about, is that you use the same PST file that’s already loaded.
From memory, you had a few. I don’t want you to select the wrong PST file.

Secret Squirrel · Apr 28, 2025

Dave in Houston said:
This is what I get when I send/receive: There's also a little Send/Receive Error" warning at the lower right corner of the main Outlook screen

Thanks for that Dave.

I see that Ants has come up with a fix for you so I wish you a speedy resolution.

Dave in Houston · Apr 30, 2025

Sorry I haven't had time to attend to this. I'm in crisis mode around the house. I may be able to look at it this evening. Thanks again to all who contributed.

Dave in Houston · Jul 12, 2025

Dear friends,

I still haven't attended to this, because I was intimidated by the prospect of messing with these files. Today I finally tried. I copied my PST from the Outlook files folder to a new folder that you see highlighted. Then I deleted the one in the Outlook Files folder.

When I closed and restarted Outlook it told me it couldn't find the PST file. I told it to look in the highlighted location. The symptoms remained the same.

Sinto, maybe letting you peek into my computer would be a good idea.

antspants · Jul 12, 2025

Dave in Houston said:
Sinto, maybe letting you peek into my computer would be a good idea.

We just need to setup a time. I think I still have your phone number in our messages. I can call you so you can explain the situation over the phone and we can work it out, Dave. I am just busy at the moment. But of course I am more than happy to help you, Dave, you’re a nice guy.

Dave in Houston · Jul 13, 2025

antspants said:
We just need to setup a time. I think I still have your phone number in our messages. I can call you so you can explain the situation over the phone and we can work it out, Dave. I am just busy at the moment. But of course I am more than happy to help you, Dave, you’re a nice guy.

I appreciate that, old friend. Which is better for you, morning where you are or evening where you are? I can do either one, but these days I'd rather not get up before 8 AM US Central time.

Thanks!
Dave

Dave in Houston · Jul 14, 2025

Another question on this matter: it's time for me to have a new license for MS Office. I bought a license from Costco, because their price is good. I received the license key, and it says if I put the key in it will take me to the MS Office site and reinstall the software. Will the fix the problem?

antspants · Jul 14, 2025

I hadn’t forgotten you @Dave in Houston, my life is just kind of hectic right now and I was actually in the process of messaging you when I seen your post above.

Dave in Houston said:
When I got to the computer in the morning, it asked me if I wanted to use their gadget to store all my files in the cloud. Silly me, I said yes. My Outlook has never worked since.

It looks like OneDrive most likely moved the file. Or at least it’s something to do with OneDrive
Re subscribing and re downloading will not prevent OneDrive from operating.

The fix would be to disable OneDrive, then fix your files like I did last time.

To be honest Dave, I am not sure I want to go there.
I have never once used OneDrive nor have I ever had OneDrive loaded.

The alternative is to keep using OneDrive (if you want) and I jump on and sort Outlook out.
From a quick scan here, it looks like you just need to tell Outlook where the PST is now. I am guessing C: > Users > OneDrive > Documents?

This is no quick fix like last time, it will be time consuming. I will be stumbling around a bit.

My guess is:
Disable OneDrive
Move user folders back to where they were
Fix Outlook

I am familiar with these things, I have just never done it whilst OneDrive was active. Shouldn’t be an issue

At 8am Dallas = 11pm here
At 6.30pm in Dallas = 9am here,
5.30 Dallas = 8.30am here
Etc

antspants · Jul 14, 2025

My guess is we just need to disable OneDrive and move the folders back to the default location. That may instantly fix Outlook.

Second thoughts are that it shouldn’t be an issue. But it’s not going to be a short connection.
But it would have to be your tomorrow. (Or later)

antspants · Jul 14, 2025

I setup the backup Addon in Outlook, yes?

Dave in Houston · Jul 14, 2025

antspants said:
My guess is:
Disable OneDrive
Move user folders back to where they were
Fix Outlook

I'll try this in the morning and report back.

Thanks!

antspants · Jul 14, 2025

I had to contemplate everything. It’s just that I don’t like to guess until I connect and inspect.
I can do it. But if you want to try yourself, take your time with the following from glasskuter (Also from Texas)

glasskuter said:
Onedrive-Remove-step by step
1. You first have to turn off backup folder syncing. This tutorial tells you how and also how to get your files onto your local drive.
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/turn-on-or-off-onedrive-folder-backup-syncing-across-windows-11-devices.4321/

NOTE: ONLY IF FOLDERS DO NOT MOVE TO DEFAULT LOCATION IN STEP 1 ABOVE DO THIS

If this happens, then you could try option three in the tutorials below to restore the default folder location and move your files manually from Onedrive into the folders..

Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Videos Folder in Windows 11

2. Then you have to unlink account & PC from onedrive.
Unlink Account and PC from OneDrive in Windows 11

Once you do this the files you have in onedrive will remain there until you login to Onedrive on the Web and delete them.
Microsoft OneDrive

3. You can then either uninstall Onedrive or disable it. I prefer to disable it. Open Task Manager>Startup Apps
Find Onedrive in the list and, right click on it, select disable. This prevents Onedrive from auto-starting.

4. If you want to uninstall it instead, the best way is to use Revo Uninstaller Freeware Portable. You’ll find Onedrive under the Windows Apps section. Be sure to scan for and delete any leftover files and registry entries Revo finds. Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download

5. You can also use option 1 in this tutorial to uninstall it. It will leave a few registry entries behind though. Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11

antspants · Jul 14, 2025

I’d have better peace of mind if I helped. I found your phone number.

Dave in Houston · Jul 15, 2025

antspants said:
I’d have better peace of mind if I helped. I found your phone number.

It's very gracious of you to offer. I tried removing OneDrive and it still didn't resolve the problem. It's possible that I did something wrong, but when I go into setting, installed apps, I don't see OneDrive any more, though maybe I did something wrong.

So I'm stuck again, and if you can help, it would be most appreciated. Could we meet at 9AM your time one morning? That would be 6:30 PM my time, and I could make that schedule any day this week.

Thanks,
Dave

antspants · Jul 15, 2025

Dave in Houston said:
Could we meet at 9AM your time one morning? That would be 6:30 PM my time, and I could make that schedule any day this week.

Dave, I’d love to help you my friend. I wasn’t prepared for today, but 6.30 your time tomorrow OK?

If I can cancel an appointment today (because I don’t want to go anyway) I’ll call you, 6.30 cowboy (Texas) time.
But my guess is tomorrow, which I believe is the 16th for you? As long as it’s not interfering with your mealtime.

I’ll message you in preparation tomorrow.

I am not expecting a complicated issue. But I need to see it to assist you

Dave in Houston · Jul 15, 2025

antspants said:
Dave, I’d love to help you my friend. I wasn’t prepared for today, but 6.30 your time tomorrow OK?

If I can cancel an appointment today (because I don’t want to go anyway) I’ll call you, 6.30 cowboy (Texas) time. But my guess is tomorrow, which I believe is the 16th for you? As long as it’s not interfering with your mealtime.

I’ll message you in preparation tomorrow.

I am not expecting a complicated issue.

6:30 PM tomorrow is fine. We'll be finished with dinner by that time tonight, too. You have my number, right? If not, message me here.

Thanks again!
Dave

antspants · Jul 15, 2025

Dave in Houston said:
You have my number, right?

Unless you changed it since last time, yes I do, mate.

antspants · Jul 16, 2025

Hi, Dave. Moving our conversation to private messages. Keep an eye on the envelope at the top of this forum. Have sent you a message.

I’m on track for the next hour to call you.

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