Outlook PST periodically gets locked
I'm running Outlook 2010 on Windows 7 have been on this particular PC since I bought it in February. About three weeks ago, Outlook began failing intermittently and reports that it can no longer access the PST file. Let me be more specific: Outlook is actually still running when this happens but trying to do almost anything produces one of several messages, all of which indicate that the file is locked (the example below resulted from double-clicking on a message). I've tried a variety of things to resolve the problem when it occurs, including stopping and restarting Outlook, but rebooting is the only recourse I've found that works.
I should also add that I'm running ACT 2011 (SP1). ACT and Outlook normally communicate in a variety of ways. When the PST file gets locked, I've tried ending ACT and ACT processes in case one of them has locked the file, but that hasn't helped or I haven't found the right process.
I should also add that I'm running ACT 2011 (SP1). ACT and Outlook normally communicate in a variety of ways. When the PST file gets locked, I've tried ending ACT and ACT processes in case one of them has locked the file, but that hasn't helped or I haven't found the right process.
Is this a Home PC or a Work PC, logged onto a domain at work?
Is the PST Location on your Local Drive?
Is D: Drive, displayed Local
Or is the PST being saved over a network location or to a External or USB Drive (D?)
if the PST is being saved locally, can you confirm that your not using a romaing profile or the Folder Redirection for your profile isnt enabled in Active Directory
Is the PST Location on your Local Drive?
Is D: Drive, displayed Local
Or is the PST being saved over a network location or to a External or USB Drive (D?)
if the PST is being saved locally, can you confirm that your not using a romaing profile or the Folder Redirection for your profile isnt enabled in Active Directory
Control Panel\All Control Panel Items--->Mail and mail screen will be opened, then click on Data Files option and select your data file directory.
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apache09: this is a work PC but I am not logged into a domain. Outlook is configured to check multiple POP3 accounts and the PST file is on a local drive. I'm not using a roaming profile and Active Directory is not involved.
Omarkhail: As described in previous paragraph, the PST is local (on the D: drive).
faizbaig: Please keep in mind that Outlook runs just fine for multiple hours, even several days between failures. And that restarting Windows to unlock the file resolves the problem temporarily. Do you still think inbox corruption could be a factor for an intermittent problem like this?
Omarkhail: As described in previous paragraph, the PST is local (on the D: drive).
faizbaig: Please keep in mind that Outlook runs just fine for multiple hours, even several days between failures. And that restarting Windows to unlock the file resolves the problem temporarily. Do you still think inbox corruption could be a factor for an intermittent problem like this?
-> Before jumping next step of troubleshooting , I strongly suggest to run Scanpst.
When you get a pst-file in use error, it means that Outlook is still running or another application which integrates itself with Outlook or depends on the outlook.exe process is still running. A quick fix might be to simply restart your computer. To troubleshoot this issue further.
-> To find out if your issue is being caused by an add-in you can disable them all and see if the issue goes away.
When you get a pst-file in use error, it means that Outlook is still running or another application which integrates itself with Outlook or depends on the outlook.exe process is still running. A quick fix might be to simply restart your computer. To troubleshoot this issue further.
-> To find out if your issue is being caused by an add-in you can disable them all and see if the issue goes away.
For the first time while you configured the outlook your data file was in D drive or not and if you changed your data file from any other drives now just add the data file back and log off your PC, hope your outlook issue will be resolved.
Whats the size of the PST?
ASKER
PST is 4.8 GB.
I'll try running scanpst in the next day or two and report back.
I'll try running scanpst in the next day or two and report back.
ASKER
I ran scanpst last Thursday and haven't had a problem since... If I make it through a week without a problem, I'll be comfortable that the issue has been resolved, however, I'll accept this solution now as it seems to have worked.
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