Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook PST File Cannot be Found Error
Microsoft Outlook is a stable and widely accepted email service provider used by various technical experts as well as home users. It does not crash easily, but it is prone to corruption issues. Once the Outlook file is damaged, accessing or finding its Outlook PST data file becomes impossible. The frequently occurring error “Microsoft Outlook PST file cannot be found” occurs due to incorrectly configured system settings or uncertain entries in the Windows registry.
The very common error message “Outlook PST files cannot be found” flashes on the screen as a result. This error statement clearly implies that Outlook PST has suffered corruption or damage. There are multiple factors that result in this error code. The write-up explains some techniques which can be used to find Outlook.bak file.
Resolving Microsoft Outlook PST Data file cannot be found issue can be fixed using an instant solution. A user can directly repair such MS Outlook errors using the software given below.
PST File Cannot Be Found Error – Meaning
It is the name of the Outlook error, which contains some other details like why it is occurring, which system application or component is not functioning well along with some other relevant details. The error name also includes a numerical code that the application manufacturer, which functioned improperly, can convert.
This PST cannot be found in Outlook 2007 2010 2013 2016 error codes can occur in multiple locations on the local system. The tricky part is, that even though the error carries a little detail in its name itself, it is still a tedious task to know about this PST file error and resolve this issue without appropriate technical expertise.
Also Read: How to fix error message Outlook pst file could not be found in Windows Operating System.
Origin of Outlook.bak Files and Other Details
If an Outlook data file cannot be found, or OST or PST is not found an error message will be shown on the screen that Outlook is unable to find this set of folders. If it is suspected that the Outlook data file is damaged, users can use Scanpst.exe. But before using this file first you have to locate where is ScanPST located? So it will identify Outlook data file PST that cannot be found the error in Outlook and repair them.
If users use the Exchange email account, they can delete the offline data file (.ost) and recreate another OST file, the next time Outlook is opened.
The question is what will happen after users repair the Outlook data file. In the Folder window, a folder named Recovered Personal Folders will be present, comprising all the default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder. This Lost and Found folder contains the items and folders extracted by the tool that cannot be placed in the original structure.
Users can create a new data file in Outlook and drag and drop the items from the Lost and Found folder into a brand-new data file. Once all the items are moved, users can remove the Lost and Found folder along with the Recovered Personal Folder.
If users open the original data file, they may be able to retrieve some additional items. The Inbox Repair Tool generates a backup file with the same name but with a .bak extension. This Outlook.bak file is saved in the same folder.
Location of an Outlook Archive File
When the error Microsoft Outlook PST file cannot be found occurs, there are chances that either archive.pst is not created or it has been lost. Most probably, archive files are present in this location:
C:\Documents and Settings\username\LocalSettings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook \archive.pst
Causes of Error Outlook Backup File Cannot Be found
If users are getting this error on their systems, it means that there is a defect in users’ system operation. Some of the common factors responsible for this error are:
- Incorrect and failed installation or uninstallation of any software. This might have left irrational entries in the Windows registry.
- Abrupt system shutdown
- Virus or Malware attacks
- A person with less technical knowledge mistakenly deletes a necessary file or registry
The component or system application cannot find the Microsoft Outlook PST files due to an error, and as a result, it cannot execute any normal operations.
Microsoft Outlook PST File Cannot Be Found Error – Solution
There are multiple ways to resolve the error statement “Outlook backup file is missing”. Every method is explained in detail.
Fix Outlook Data Issues – Using Outlook Settings
- Open the Outlook application on the local system
- Hit on the File tab and choose the option of Account Settings
- Select the E-mail option and then, choose an email account that has an issue. Afterwards, click on Change Folder
- Then, to create a temporary Outlook data file, click on the option New Outlook data file
- Give a proper name to this newly generated Outlook data file
- Choose the Inbox folder and click on OK
- Again move to the Account Settings and choose the alternative of Change Folder
- Then, choose the right Outlook folder that you want to save email messages and press OK
- Navigate to data files and remove the temporary Outlook PST file from the folder
- In the final step, exit from the Account Settings dialog window and press on Send/Receive alternative from the Outlook ribbon
Fix All Issues Using An Automated Tool
If the methods explained above fail to solve the problem of the user, then the last option is to make use of a third-party tool like SysTools Outlook Data File Repair Tool. This application is designed with such an algorithm that it is capable of producing fruitful results in a short duration of time. It can fix the error code Microsoft Outlook PST file cannot be found without any data alteration.
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In addition to that, the application provides some other functionalities like:
- You can recover PST emails along with contacts, calendars, and notes.
- The tool supports both Outlook file types: ANSI and UNICODE.
- The tool recovers password-encrypted PST files and restores them to a healthy state.
- The tool can repair damaged PST files with both major and minor corruption.
- Once the PST file is recovered, you can save the healthy PST file in various file formats.
- The tool repairs the Outlook BAK file and efficiently restores it as a PST file.
- Applying an email filter allows the extraction of selected PST data.
- It supports all versions of the Windows operating system and Microsoft Outlook.
Approach 3: Create a New Outlook PST File
It is a notable solution to opt for when “Outlook backup file is missing” In this technique, users have to generate a brand new PST file. This is done by using the Mail Setup Wizard. Then, users can follow the steps accordingly.
Bottom Line
In Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019, the error code Microsoft Outlook PST file cannot be found is typically encountered by users. The post discusses both manual and automated solutions to resolve Outlook PST file errors, allowing them to work without any issues.