Question

Outlook does not close Personal Folder files

Asked by: nirg

When a Personal Folder file (.PST) is being removed from Outlook, the file itself is still open by Outlook until Outlook is shut down. This causes Sharing Violation when trying to move, copy or delete the PST file. I need to perform those actions on the PST file for automation reasons, without closing the Outlook application. I've tried removing the PST from within Outlook by right clicking on it and choosing "Disconnect" (or "Close" in Outlook 2000). I've tried it using the Tools->Services menu option and I've tried the DeleteMsgService MAPI function. All of those successfully removed the Personal Folder from the Outlook application, but the PST file remained open until Outlook shuts down.

Any ideas about how to convince Outlook to really close the file?

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Asked On
2000-05-14 at 08:00:17ID10350127
Tags

close

,

outlook

,

personal

,

folder

Topic

Outlook Groupware Software

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
3

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Answers

 

by: VinceAPosted on 2000-05-14 at 08:09:36ID: 2808456

From everything I've seen, you can't close the PST without closing Outlook (and the MAPI spooler terminating - if it's in use)

 

by: Neo_mvpsPosted on 2000-05-14 at 17:47:35ID: 2809075

This is the best thing that comes into my head and taking into account that you are automating Outlook 2K and want the PST available to you at the next startup of Outlook/MAPI.

1] Using VB, VBScript, C++, or Delphi - use Outlook's Application.Quit method from automation to force outlook closed.

2] Release object above to clean out any last pointers in memory.

3] Work with the PST file in question

4] Create a new automation object refering to the Outlook.Application.

5] Open/Create an Explorer window for one of the default folders and display it.

6] Release object created in #4

The only thing that might hold you up is any other MAPI enable applications keeping the MAPI Spooler and running.  In this case you are right back to what VinceA stated.  Trying to figure out a way to get the MAPI Subsystem to shutdown gracefully.

 

by: DmaioPosted on 2000-06-02 at 11:41:59ID: 2882522

The same thing happened to me.  I chose to edit the registry.  If you don't feel comfortable with that there is a knowledge base article on the Microsoft Office Update site with steps on how to edit the .pst file from your registry.  The article was written for Outlook 98 but also applies to 2000.  The title is "Unable to Close Personal Folders File on the Folder List"  The Article ID is Q241880.  Basically the steps are as follows:  Quit Outlook--On the START menu click RUN, type "regedit, and click OK--Click to select the following registry key:  HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows Messaging System/Profiles/your name or Microsoft Outlook Internet Settings

Then search through to find the personal folders file--Delete it and close the Registry Editor.  THis does not erase the .pst file.  It closes and removes the file from your Outlook folder list.  

Good Luck!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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