Win 11 Microsoft 365 Outlook classic cannot open

[Julian]

Well for now I am Ok with this adjustments i have reboot it the system and outlook works fine, I am now performing an up to date backup image and later on I will try to find time to affront the name change as you suggested it makes sense, you could in the meantime let me have your instructions on how to change the folder name.
thank you

 

[ChatGPT]

Good plan, Julian — once you’ve taken a fresh image backup, renaming the folder is safe as long as Outlook is closed.
Right now Outlook is using the PST in:
C:\Outlook Files Backup From OneDrive\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
So we’ll rename only the folder, then point Outlook to the PST in the new folder.

---

How to rename the folder (safe method)​

1) Close Outlook completely​

1. Close Outlook.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Task Manager)
3. End task OUTLOOK.EXE if it’s still running.

2) Rename the folder​

1. Open File Explorer → go to C:\
2. Right‑click the folder Outlook Files Backup From OneDrive
3. Choose Rename
4. Rename it to something simpler, for example:
   • Outlook Files
     or
   • Outlook Data

Example new path:
C:\Outlook Files\

3) Start Outlook and “reconnect” the PST​

When you open Outlook after the rename, it may say it can’t find the data file (this is normal).
If you get a message asking to locate the file:

1. Click Browse (or similar)
2. Navigate to the new folder, e.g.:
   C:\Outlook Files\
3. Select:
   [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
4. OK / Next until Outlook opens.

4) Confirm Outlook now points to the new location​

In Outlook:
File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Data Files
Make sure the tin.it PST now shows the new path (no “Backup From OneDrive” in the location).

---

If anything goes wrong (easy rollback)​

1. Close Outlook
2. Rename the folder back to the old name
3. Start Outlook again

That will restore it immediately.

---

If you tell me what new name you want to use (for example C:\Outlook Files\), I can tailor the exact final path and what you should see in Data Files afterward.

 

[Julian]

Hello, I have completed with the rename of the Outlook folder and here is what I have now: see photo.
The system works fine therefore I will make again a final image backup and that's all for now!.

 

[ChatGPT]

Your screenshots show the setup is now clean and correct:

• POP (tin.it) is using the PST here:
  C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
• IMAP (ngi.it) is using the OST cache in the normal Windows location:
  C:\Users\ggini\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\...Outlook Test.ost

So the rename worked and Outlook is pointing to the new folder properly.

What you can delete now (to save space)​

Safe to delete​

1) In C:\Outlook Data Files\:

• [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.log (small text log) → safe to delete.

2) Any old folders that are no longer referenced by Outlook, such as:

• C:\Outlook Files\ (old folder name)
• C:\Outlook Files Backup From OneDrive\ (old backup folder)

But do this safety check first:

• Outlook → File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Data Files
• Make sure no Location paths still point to those old folders.
  (From your screenshot, they don’t — everything points to C:\Outlook Data Files\ now.)

Do NOT delete​

• C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst (this is your real POP mail storage)
• Any .ost files in AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook (normal IMAP cache)

Important: close Outlook before deleting​

Before you delete any Outlook folders/files:

1. Close Outlook
2. Task Manager → ensure OUTLOOK.EXE is not running

After deleting the old folders, reboot once and open Outlook to confirm all is still OK.
If you want, post one screenshot of what’s inside the old folders you plan to delete, and I’ll tell you exactly what’s safe (and what to keep) before you remove anything.

 

[Julian]

Hello, after all the adjustments made yesterday all was working fine I also did an image backup and used the pc outlook mail for hours afterwards.
Today I only just switched on and get this problem with Outlook not downloading any mail? I have made again some photo for you assistance please again help
how and what can I do but why this ?

 

[ChatGPT]

Your photos are very clear — Outlook is showing this error for your POP tin.it account:
0x8004010F – “Outlook data file cannot be accessed.”
and it happens for both Sending and Receiving. The PST it should use is:
C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst (and the file is present in that folder).
This error is almost always caused by one of these:

• the PST is locked by another process (Outlook still running in background, antivirus backup scan, indexer, etc.)
• the PST is read-only or you don’t have permission
• the PST has a file error (even if it worked yesterday)
• Outlook is set to Work Offline (less likely here, but we’ll check)

Do the steps below in order (quick + safe). Stop when mail starts downloading.

---

1) Make sure Outlook is NOT “Work Offline”​

In Outlook, go to Send/Receive tab and check the Work Offline button.

• If it is highlighted/turned on, click it once to turn it OFF.

Then click Send/Receive All Folders.

---

2) Fully close Outlook and remove any lock on the PST (most common fix)​

1. Close Outlook.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Task Manager
3. End task OUTLOOK.EXE (if present).
4. Also end (temporary test):
   • Norton email scanning component / Norton (if it’s actively scanning)
   • OneDrive.exe (just as a test—shouldn’t touch C:\Outlook Data Files, but OK to test)

Reopen Outlook and try Send/Receive.

---

3) Check the PST file is not Read-only and permissions are OK​

1. Go to: C:\Outlook Data Files
2. Right‑click [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst → Properties
3. Make sure Read-only is NOT ticked.
4. Click Security tab → confirm your user ggini has Full control (or at least Modify/Read/Write).

If you change anything here, reboot once and try again.

---

4) Repair the PST again (recommended when 0x8004010F appears)​

Even a small file problem can cause this error.

1. Close Outlook and ensure OUTLOOK.EXE is not running.
2. Run SCANPST.EXE (Inbox Repair Tool)
3. Browse to:
   C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
4. Run repair.

Then open Outlook and test Send/Receive.

---

5) If it still fails: create a brand-new PST and switch delivery to it (fast workaround)​

This gets you working immediately, then you can import old mail later.

1. Outlook → File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Data Files
2. Click Add… → create a new PST in C:\Outlook Data Files\ (name it e.g. NewMail.pst)
3. Select the new PST → Set as Default
4. Go to Email tab → select your POP account → Change Folder… → choose Inbox in the new PST
5. Restart Outlook and test Send/Receive

Your old mail stays in the old PST; you can open it later once repaired.

---

One very targeted question (so I can pick the fastest “next single step”)​

When you right‑click the PST → Properties, is Read-only ticked (Yes/No)?
Also tell me: do you use Norton 360 (I see Norton icons) and is it set to scan email? Norton sometimes locks PST files briefly after reboot. If yes, we can add the PST folder as an exclusion.

 

[Julian]

sorry! i cannot see any n Outlook, go to Send/Receive tab and check the Work Offline button.

 

[ChatGPT]

No problem, Julian — that usually happens for one of these reasons:
1) you are not in the main Outlook window (you’re inside “Account Settings” or another small window), or
2) the Ribbon is collapsed/hidden, or
3) Outlook is showing the simplified ribbon and the tab name looks different (and in Italian it’s Invia/Ricevi).
Here’s how to find it.

---

1) First make sure you are in the MAIN Outlook window​

• Close/minimize any small windows like Account Settings / Send/Receive Progress.
• You should see your Inbox message list and the big toolbar at the top.

If you only see a small settings window, you will not see the Send/Receive tab.

---

2) Make the Ribbon show (common fix)​

Press Ctrl + F1
This toggles the Ribbon (show/hide). After that, the tabs should appear across the top.
Also try clicking the small ^ / Ribbon arrow at the top-right of Outlook (if you see it) and choose Show Tabs and Commands.

---

3) Where the tab is (English / Italian)​

In Outlook Classic, the tab is:

• English: Send/Receive
• Italian: Invia/Ricevi

Inside that tab, the button is:

• English: Work Offline
• Italian: Lavora non in linea

Click it once to turn it OFF (if it was ON).

---

4) Quick visual check (no tab needed)​

Look at the bottom status bar of Outlook (very bottom of the window). If you see:

• Working Offline / Non in linea, then Outlook is offline.

---

Quick question​

At the very bottom of Outlook, does it say “Working Offline / Non in linea” or does it say “Connected / Connected to…”?
If you tell me that, I’ll guide you to the exact next step to clear the 0x8004010F “data file cannot be accessed” error.

 

[Julian]

I cannot alter any it is doesn't alter

 

[ChatGPT]

That picture is very helpful: the “Work Offline” button (globe with a red X) is showing, and you’re saying clicking it does nothing. When that happens together with your earlier error 0x8004010F (“Outlook data file cannot be accessed”), the real problem is usually:

Outlook cannot open/write to your PST file, so Send/Receive can’t run — and Outlook may also get “stuck” in an offline state.

Let’s fix the PST access first (this normally restores Send/Receive and lets “Work Offline” toggle normally).

---

Step 1 — Close Outlook completely (important)​

1. Close Outlook.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Task Manager)
3. End task OUTLOOK.EXE (if it’s there).

---

Step 2 — Check the PST is not set to Read‑only​

1. Open File Explorer → go to:
   C:\Outlook Data Files
2. Right‑click [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst → Properties
3. Make sure Read-only is NOT ticked → Apply → OK.

Also check you have permissions:

• Properties → Security tab → your user should have Full control (or at least Modify/Write).

---

Step 3 — Very likely cause: Norton is locking the PST after boot​

You have Norton installed (I saw it earlier). Norton can temporarily lock large PST files during scanning/backup.

Quick test (2 minutes)​

1. Temporarily disable Norton protection (Auto‑Protect / Email protection) for 10–15 minutes.
2. Reboot the PC once.
3. Open Outlook and try Send/Receive again.

Permanent fix (recommended if the test works)​

Add an exclusion in Norton for:

• Folder: C:\Outlook Data Files\
• File: [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst

(If you want, tell me your Norton version screen and I’ll give the exact clicks.)

---

Step 4 — Find out what program is holding the PST (best diagnostic)​

Windows can tell us exactly what is “using” the PST:

1. Press Win + R
2. Type: resmon → Enter
3. Go to CPU tab
4. In Associated Handles search box, type: Outlook GG.pst (or just .pst)
5. It will show the program that has the file open.

If it shows Norton, OneDrive, a backup tool, or something else — close/disable that program and Outlook will start downloading mail again.

---

Step 5 — After the lock is gone: turn off Work Offline​

Open Outlook → Send/Receive tab → click Work Offline once.
If it still won’t toggle even after the PST is accessible, tell me what the bottom status bar says (e.g., “Working Offline”, “Disconnected”, “Trying to connect”).

---

Two quick questions (so I give the exact next step)​

1) In PST Properties, is Read-only checked (Yes/No)?
2) In Resource Monitor (resmon), what program shows as holding the PST handle?
Answer those and we’ll get it fixed quickly.

 

[Julian]

First of all each time I reboot and open Outlook now it opens two pages of outlook?
Work Offline makes no difference but it is currently off
I tried without norton negative result
yes pst is read only
I did however notice that on Outlook top right of the window it says sign in ? I don't remember what that was set in the past I have never had any need to sign in ? always just open outlook and use the mail.

 

[ChatGPT]

Now we have the real cause, Julian:

Your PST file is Read-only​

A POP account must write to the PST file to download new mail. If the PST is read‑only, Outlook will show exactly what you’re seeing:
0x8004010F – “Outlook data file cannot be accessed” and mail will not download.
The “Sign in” at the top-right is not the cause (it’s normal for Office and you can ignore it for POP mail).
Also, your Resource Monitor screenshot shows SearchProtocolHost.exe has the PST open (that’s Windows Search indexing). That usually isn’t a problem by itself, but we’ll restart it after fixing the read‑only attribute.

---

Fix (do this exactly)​

1) Close Outlook completely​

1. Close all Outlook windows.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Task Manager
3. End task OUTLOOK.EXE (if it exists).

2) Remove “Read-only” from the PST (most important)​

1. Open File Explorer → go to:
   C:\Outlook Data Files
2. Right‑click [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst → Properties
3. Untick Read-only → click Apply → OK

3) Also remove “Read-only” from the whole folder (often needed)​

Sometimes Windows keeps the folder/file read-only after a move/backup.

1. Right‑click the folder C:\Outlook Data Files → Properties
2. If you see any Read-only checkbox (even if it looks “grey”), click it so it is not set, then Apply
3. When asked, choose: Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files

4) Restart Windows Search (releases the SearchProtocolHost activity)​

1. Press Win + R → type services.msc → Enter
2. Find Windows Search
3. Click Restart

5) Open Outlook and test​

Open Outlook → click Send/Receive All Folders.

---

If Read-only keeps coming back (important)​

That usually means something is “protecting” the file. Two common causes:

• the file is being restored/copied from backup media and inherits attributes
• security software/backup tool is changing it

If it comes back, tell me and I’ll give you one command that forces it off.

---

About “Outlook opens two windows”​

That’s usually because Outlook is being launched twice (double-click, pinned icon + Start, etc.). Once the PST problem is fixed, that typically stops. If it continues:

• only click Outlook once and wait 10 seconds
• check Task Manager to ensure only one OUTLOOK.EXE is running

---

Quick check question​

After you untick Read-only on the PST and restart Windows Search, does Send/Receive start working again (Yes/No)? If “No”, tell me whether the Read-only box turns itself back on.

 

[Julian]

Your PST file is read only?​

NO Sorry I made an error in writing it is free and not selected

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks Julian — that screenshot confirms Read-only is NOT selected, so you were right: the PST itself isn’t marked read-only.
Since you’re still getting 0x8004010F (“Outlook data file cannot be accessed”), the next most likely causes are:
1) the PST is being held/locked by another Windows component (your earlier Resource Monitor showed SearchProtocolHost.exe, i.e., Windows Search indexing), or
2) the POP account is trying to deliver to a folder/data file that no longer matches after all the moves/renames, or
3) the PST has new corruption and needs another repair.
Let’s do the fastest tests in the right order.

---

Step 1 (fastest test): stop Windows Search indexing and test Outlook​

Because Resource Monitor showed SearchProtocolHost.exe holding the PST.

1. Close Outlook.
2. Press Win + R → type services.msc → Enter
3. Find Windows Search
4. Click Stop (not disable—just Stop for this test)
5. Open Outlook and try Send/Receive.

If Send/Receive works now​

Then Windows Search indexing is the culprit.
Fix = rebuild the search index:

• Control Panel → Indexing Options → Advanced → Rebuild
  (After rebuild, you can start Windows Search again.)

---

Step 2: reset Send/Receive settings file (SRS) (common fix for Send/Receive errors)​

1. Close Outlook and end OUTLOOK.EXE in Task Manager.
2. Press Win + R → paste:
   %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook
3. Find a file named something like Outlook.srs
4. Rename it to Outlook.srs.old
5. Start Outlook and test Send/Receive again.

---

Step 3: confirm the POP account delivers to the correct PST/folders​

Even if “Data Files” looks right, the POP account can still be pointed at the wrong Inbox.
In Outlook:

1. File → Account Settings → Account Settings
2. Email tab
3. Click your POP account Giuliano ggini1@tin.it → click Change Folder…
4. Select the Inbox under:
   C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
5. OK → close → restart Outlook → test Send/Receive.

---

Step 4: repair the PST again (if still failing)​

Even if it worked yesterday, a PST can get a new error.

1. Close Outlook.
2. Run SCANPST.EXE
3. Scan/repair:
   C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
4. Reboot and test.

---

About “Sign in” at top-right​

That is Office account sign-in (for licensing/features). It does not normally stop a POP account from downloading mail. We can address it later, but first we need to clear the PST access / send-receive error.

---

Quick question (so I can immediately choose the correct branch)​

When you do Step 1 and stop Windows Search, does Send/Receive start working again (Yes/No)?
If “Yes”, we’ll rebuild the index and you’re done. If “No”, we’ll focus on Step 3 (Change Folder) and Step 2 (SRS reset).

 

[Julian]

Window search step 1 didn't work

 

[ChatGPT]

Understood — if stopping Windows Search didn’t change anything, we’ll move to the next two most common fixes for 0x8004010F (“Outlook data file cannot be accessed”) on a POP + PST setup:
1) Send/Receive settings file (SRS) is corrupted, and/or
2) Your POP account is trying to deliver to a folder/store that no longer matches after the moves/renames, and/or
3) The PST needs repair again or is being intermittently locked.
Do these in order (they’re safe). Stop when mail starts downloading.

---

1) Reset Outlook’s Send/Receive file (SRS) – very common fix​

1. Close Outlook
2. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) → end OUTLOOK.EXE if present
3. Press Win + R and paste:
   %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook
4. Find a file named Outlook.srs (sometimes it’s named similarly)
5. Rename it to:
   • Outlook.srs.old
6. Start Outlook and click Send/Receive All Folders

If the SRS file was corrupted, this often fixes “Send/Receive error” immediately.

---

2) Re-set where the POP account delivers new mail (“Change Folder…”)​

Even if your Data Files tab looks correct, a POP account can still be pointing to the wrong Inbox.
In Outlook:

1. File → Account Settings → Account Settings
2. Email tab
3. Click your POP account Giuliano ggini1@tin.it → click Change Folder…
4. Select the Inbox under your PST:
   • C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
5. OK → Close Outlook → open Outlook → test Send/Receive

---

3) Check if something is locking the PST (your earlier screenshot showed SearchProtocolHost)​

Even though stopping Windows Search didn’t help, something may still be holding the file.

1. Press Win + R → type:
   resmon
2. Go to CPU tab
3. In Associated Handles search box, type:
   Outlook GG.pst
4. Tell me what “Image” names you see there.

If anything other than Outlook is holding it (backup tool, indexer, antivirus component), we’ll stop that exact process.

---

4) If still failing: run SCANPST again (quick and safe)​

Even if you repaired it before, PSTs can re-develop errors.

• Close Outlook → run SCANPST.EXE
• Repair:
  C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst

---

5) Fast workaround (to get mail flowing today): create a NEW PST and switch POP to it​

If you need a “quick way out”, this is the fastest reliable workaround:

1. Outlook → File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Data Files
2. Add… → create C:\Outlook Data Files\NEW.pst
3. Select NEW.pst → Set as Default
4. Email tab → select [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] → Change Folder… → choose Inbox under NEW.pst
5. Restart Outlook → test Send/Receive

(Your old mail stays in the old PST; we can import it later.)

---

Quick question (so I can give you the single next step)​

When you do Step 1, do you find Outlook.srs, and after renaming it does Send/Receive start working (Yes/No)?
If “No”, please tell me what shows in resmon → Associated Handles for Outlook GG.pst (just the process names).

 

[Julian]

sorry step 2 i don't understand clearly with what I see from passage number 3?

 

[ChatGPT]

No worries, Julian — Step 2 (“Change Folder…”) is confusing because it’s on a different tab than the one you were looking at.

What Step 2 is trying to do​

Your POP account (ggini1@tin.it) must “deliver” new mail into a specific Inbox inside a PST file.
After moving/renaming PSTs, Outlook sometimes still points to an old/incorrect location, which triggers 0x8004010F.

---

Step 2 (explained very simply)​

A) Open the correct window​

1. In Outlook click File (top left)
2. Click Account Settings
3. Click Account Settings… again

You now have the “Account Settings” window with tabs like Email, Data Files, etc.

B) Click the Email tab (NOT Data Files)​

1. Click the tab Email
2. Click once on your POP account line:
   • Giuliano ggini1@tin.it (Type should say POP/SMTP)

C) Click Change Folder…​

Look at the bottom-left of that same window. You should see a button called Change Folder….

• Click Change Folder…
• A small window opens showing mail folders.

D) Pick the correct Inbox in the correct PST​

In that folder list, expand the data file (it will look like your PST name), then select:

• Inbox under [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst (the PST located in C:\Outlook Data Files\...)

Click OK, then Close the Account Settings window.

E) Restart Outlook and test​

Close Outlook, open it again, and try Send/Receive.

---

If you do NOT see the “Change Folder…” button​

Please do this:

1. Stay on Account Settings → Email tab
2. Take a photo that shows the bottom area (where the button should be)
3. Post it here

Sometimes the window is too small or the button is off-screen.

---

About your question: “what I see from passage number 3?”​

Step 3 is a separate check using Resource Monitor (resmon) to see which program is holding/locking the PST file. It’s only needed if Step 2 and the SRS reset don’t fix it.
For now, focus only on Step 2 (Change Folder).
Tell me: when you go to Account Settings → Email tab, do you see the Change Folder… button at the bottom-left? (Yes/No)

 

[Julian]

I am stuck here ?