Win 11 Microsoft 365 Outlook classic cannot open

[Julian]

I am stuck here ?

 

[ChatGPT]

You’re in the correct place — this window is exactly what we needed.
Right now you have highlighted the PST name ([email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG).
But you must click the Inbox folder under it, then press OK.

What to do in that “New Email Delivery Location” window​

1) Click the small triangle / + next to [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG (to expand it)
2) In the list underneath, find and click Inbox (Italian: Posta in arrivo)

• You may need to scroll up a little to see Inbox.
• Do not leave the top line selected (the PST name). You must select the Inbox folder itself.

3) Click OK (bottom right of that small window)
4) Back in the main Account Settings window, click Close
5) Close Outlook completely, reopen Outlook, then try Send/Receive again.

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If you cannot find “Inbox / Posta in arrivo”​

Tell me: in that folder list, do you see folders like Sent Items / Deleted Items / Outbox (Italian: Posta inviata / Posta eliminata / Posta in uscita)?

• If yes, Inbox is there—just scroll.
• If no, then that PST’s default folders may be damaged and we should use the button “New Outlook Data File…” to create a new PST and temporarily deliver new mail there (fast workaround).

Reply and tell me whether you can see “Inbox / Posta in arrivo” in that list after expanding the PST.

 

[Julian]

didn't work again and i see no difference in the folders in outlook is just as it was before

 

[Julian]

 

[ChatGPT]

Got it, Julian — if “Change Folder…” did not change anything and you still get 0x8004010F (“Outlook data file cannot be accessed”), then Outlook is still failing when it tries to write new mail into your current POP PST.
At this point the quickest reliable fix is to create a brand‑new PST and tell the POP account to deliver into it. This gets mail downloading again immediately. Then we can keep your old mail safely and import/move it later.

Do this now (fast workaround that usually fixes 0x8004010F)​

1) Close Outlook completely​

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

2) Create a NEW Outlook Data File (PST)​

1. Open Outlook again.
2. Go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings
3. Email tab → select Giuliano ggini1@tin.it (POP/SMTP)
4. Click Change Folder… (bottom-left)

You will see the same window you showed: “New Email Delivery Location”.

1. Click the button on the right: New Outlook Data File…
2. Choose location: C:\Outlook Data Files\
3. Name it something like: TIN-New.pst
4. Click OK

Now you will be back to the folder list.

1. Expand the new PST you just created and click its Inbox / Posta in arrivo
2. Click OK

3) Restart Outlook and test download​

1. Close Outlook
2. Open Outlook
3. Click Send/Receive All Folders

If this works, new mail will start downloading again.

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What happens to your old mail?​

Nothing is lost.
Your old mail is still in:
C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
Once mail is working again, you can:

• keep the old PST as an archive, or
• move/copy folders from the old PST into the new PST inside Outlook.

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Why this works​

That error almost always means Outlook cannot reliably read/write to the current delivery PST (corruption, internal folder map issues, or something intermittently locking it). A fresh PST bypasses that problem.

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One quick question (so I know we’re fixing the right account)​

After you do the steps above, does ggini@ngi.it (IMAP) still receive mail normally while tin.it (POP) fails? (Yes/No)
Reply after you try New Outlook Data File… and tell me whether tin.it starts downloading again. If it does, I’ll give you the safest way to bring your old folders over (without triggering the problem again).

 

[Julian]

YOU mean here and below where the file name is my outlook data file (1)pst I rename as you say?

 

[ChatGPT]

Yes — exactly there.
That screen is the “Create / Open Outlook Data File” window. At the bottom where it says:
File name: My Outlook Data File (1).pst
You should replace that name with a new name, for example:

• TIN-New.pst (recommended)

Then click OK.

Important​

• Do not select/overwrite your existing file [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst.
• We are creating a new PST file so Outlook can download mail again.

After you click OK​

You will go back to the “New Email Delivery Location” folder list.

1. Expand the new PST (TIN-New)
2. Click its Inbox / Posta in arrivo
3. Click OK
4. Close the Account Settings window
5. Restart Outlook and try Send/Receive

Reply and tell me if tin.it starts downloading mail after this.

 

[Julian]

YES it works

 

[ChatGPT]

Excellent — that confirms the cause was the old tin.it delivery PST (the …Outlook GG.pst) not being usable for new deliveries, even though it still opens for reading.
Now you’re working because Outlook is delivering new mail into the new PST (e.g., TIN-New.pst / the file you just created).

What to do next (so it stays stable)​

1) Keep BOTH PST files​

• Old PST (archive/history): [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
  Keep it so you don’t lose your old emails/folders.
• New PST (active): the new one you created (TIN-New.pst or similar)
  This is where new mail will download now.

2) (Optional) Move/copy your old mail into the new PST​

Do this only after everything is stable:

• In Outlook, you can drag folders/emails from the old PST to the new PST.
• I recommend doing it in small batches (not thousands at once).

3) Don’t delete the old PST yet​

Even if it looks “broken”, it still contains your mail history. We can try to repair it later (SCANPST again), but there’s no urgency since you’re operational now.

4) Confirm the POP account delivers to the new PST​

Outlook → File → Account Settings → Account Settings

• Email tab → Change Folder… should point to Inbox in the new PST.
• Data Files tab: the new PST should be Default.

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One quick question​

When you send yourself a test email from webmail to [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email], does it arrive into the new PST Inbox correctly? If yes, you’re fully back in business.
If you want, paste the exact filename of the new PST you created (e.g., TIN-New.pst) and I’ll tell you the cleanest naming/cleanup plan for the old one.

 

[Julian]

That is a HUGE amount of work in transferring my ggini1@tin.it - Out... from current folder with all sub folders to the new outlook folder below at the bottom it shows the new folder TIN-New?
how can I do it is it possible?

 

[ChatGPT]

Yes, it’s possible — but you do not have to transfer everything to keep working.
Right now Outlook is set correctly: new mail for tin.it is delivered to TIN-New.pst, and your old mail/folders are still available in …Outlook GG.pst (as an archive). That’s the easiest/lowest‑risk way.
Below are your options, from simplest to “full merge”.

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Option 1 (recommended): Keep both PST files (no big work)​

• Keep TIN-New.pst = for new incoming/outgoing mail.
• Keep Outlook GG.pst = old mail + all your folders (archive).

You can still:

• read/search old mail any time
• drag individual emails (or small groups) from the old PST into the new PST when needed

This avoids another corruption or “cannot be accessed” issue during a massive transfer.

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Option 2 (best “automatic” transfer): Import the entire old PST into the new PST​

This copies the whole folder structure for you (Inbox, Sent, and all subfolders) in one operation.

1. Make sure Outlook is downloading/sending OK first (as it is now).
2. In Outlook Classic go to: File → Open & Export → Import/Export
3. Choose Import from another program or file → Next
4. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) → Next
5. Browse to your OLD file:
   C:\Outlook Data Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
6. Choose Do not import duplicates → Next
7. Select the top line (the root) of the old PST and tick Include subfolders
8. Choose Import items into the same folder in: and select TIN-New → Finish

Notes

• This can take a long time (7+ GB).
• Keep Outlook open and do not interrupt it.
• After it completes, you’ll have everything inside TIN-New.

When you’ve confirmed everything is present, you can remove the old PST from Outlook (Account Settings → Data Files → select old PST → Remove) and later delete the old PST file if you want (only after backup).

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Option 3 (manual, but controlled): Move/copy folders in batches​

If you prefer not to import everything at once:

1. In the folder list, right‑click a folder under Outlook GG.pst
2. Choose Move Folder… (or Copy Folder… if shown)
3. Select the destination under TIN-New and OK

This is safer if you suspect the old PST is unstable, but it’s slower.

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About the “Sign in” at top-right​

That is Office account sign-in (licensing/features). It’s not required for POP mail to work, and it’s not the reason your POP download stopped earlier.

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What I suggest for you​

Since you said the transfer would be “a huge amount of work”, do Option 1 for now (keep both PSTs) and only transfer what you need. When you have time, do Option 2 (Import/Export) if you want everything merged.
If you tell me which you prefer (Option 1 or Option 2), I’ll give you the exact click-by-click steps based on your current screens.

 

[Julian]

 

[ChatGPT]

That message is normal and it explains why the import didn’t start:

“This Outlook data file (.pst) is already in use in the current profile.”

You already have ggini1@tin.it – Outlook GG.pst opened in Outlook (I can see it in your folder list on the left), so Outlook will not “import” the same PST again.

What to do instead (simple)​

Since the old PST is already open, you can copy/move folders directly from the old PST to TIN-New.

Method A (recommended): Move/Copy folders inside Outlook (no Import wizard)​

1. Click OK on that warning.
2. Cancel the Import/Export wizard.
3. In the left folder list, find the old PST:
   [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG
4. Right‑click one folder (for example Sent Items or one of your custom folders) → choose:
   • Move Folder… (moves), or
   • Copy Folder… (copies, safer)
5. Choose the destination under TIN-New (select the folder you want it to go into).
6. Repeat folder by folder.

Tip: Start with one smaller folder first to confirm it works, then do bigger folders.

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Method B: Drag & drop (quick)​

• Drag a folder from Outlook GG to TIN-New.
• Hold Ctrl while dragging to copy instead of move (safer).

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If you really want a “one big import”​

You must import a PST that is not currently opened in the profile. The safe way is:

1. Close Outlook.
2. In File Explorer, copy the old PST file and give it a new name (example: OutlookGG-COPY.pst).
3. Open Outlook and run Import/Export on the COPY.

But honestly, with a 7+ GB PST, Method A (folder copy) is usually safer and easier.

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Important note (because your old PST caused download errors)​

Your old PST probably has some internal issue that makes it unreliable as the delivery file. Copying everything at once can sometimes trigger problems again. That’s why copying in stages is the safest.
If you tell me: do you want to COPY (safer) or MOVE (frees space), I’ll tell you exactly which folders to do first and how big each batch should be.

 

[Julian]

I have done one big import by changing the file name as you suggested.
All seems to be working fine.
I have reboot it 3 times all ok
Now i am doing backup image again.
Thank you

 

[ChatGPT]

Great — that’s the best outcome: new mail works (TIN‑New) and you’ve successfully brought your old folders in by importing from a renamed copy. Doing another image backup now is exactly the right move.
To “finish cleanly” and avoid this happening again, here are the last recommended checks/cleanup steps.

1) Confirm the POP account delivers to the correct PST​

In Outlook Classic:

1. File → Account Settings → Account Settings
2. Email tab → click Giuliano ggini1@tin.it (POP/SMTP) → Change Folder…
3. Confirm it shows TIN‑New \ Inbox as the delivery location (new mail goes there).

2) Confirm which data file is Default​

1. Same window → Data Files tab
2. Make sure TIN‑New.pst is the one marked as Default (checkmark).

3) Remove extra/old PSTs from the profile (optional, but recommended)​

If your folder list is getting crowded:

• In Data Files, select the old …Outlook GG.pst (and/or the renamed “copy” PST if it is still attached) → Remove.

Important: “Remove” only detaches it from Outlook. It does not delete the file from disk.

4) What to keep/delete on disk (safe approach)​

Because POP mail is stored locally, I suggest:

• Keep: C:\Outlook Data Files\TIN-New.pst (this is now your working mailbox)
• Keep for a while (safety): your original old …Outlook GG.pst (archive/backup)
• If you made a renamed copy just to import (e.g., OutlookGG-COPY.pst) and you’ve verified everything is inside TIN‑New, you can later delete that copy to save space.

Best practice: keep the old PST at least until you’ve run for a few days and have at least one more good backup.

5) Prevent recurrence​

• Never store PST files in OneDrive.
• If you use Norton, it can help to exclude the folder C:\Outlook Data Files\ from “scanning/backup” to prevent file-lock issues.

If you want, post one screenshot of Account Settings → Data Files now (showing which PST is Default). I’ll confirm it’s “final and clean,” and tell you exactly which old files you can safely delete to reclaim space.

 

[Julian]

All ended ok but something new as error has appeared that i didn't have before! on the task bar on the left appears the following I have tried to log in again as requested by I get the following error?

 

[ChatGPT]

That new message is not an Outlook mail problem. It’s coming from Windows Widgets / Microsoft Start “Discover” on the left side of the taskbar, which is trying to sign into a Microsoft account. Your Outlook POP/IMAP will still work even if Widgets can’t sign in.
You have two choices:

Option A (simple): Ignore it or turn Widgets off​

If you don’t use Widgets:

1. Settings → Personalization → Taskbar
2. Turn Widgets = Off

That removes the “Action needed—your account needs attention” message completely.

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Option B (fix the sign-in error 0x80098044)​

Try these steps in order:

1) Update the Widgets app (Windows Web Experience Pack)​

1. Open Microsoft Store
2. Go to Library
3. Click Get updates and install updates (especially Windows Web Experience Pack)

2) Restart Widgets​

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Task Manager)
2. Find Widgets.exe → End task
3. Open Widgets again from the taskbar (it will restart). (This is a common Widgets fix approach.)

3) Sign in to Microsoft Store first (then Widgets)​

Sometimes Widgets fails sign-in unless the Store is signed in.

1. Open Microsoft Store
2. Click the profile icon (top right) → Sign in
3. After that, try Widgets sign-in again.

4) Clear Microsoft sign-in cache (if it still fails)​

1. Close Widgets/Outlook/Store.
2. Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials
3. Remove entries related to MicrosoftAccount, MSOID, AAD, OneAuth, Office (only Microsoft sign-in ones).
4. Reboot and try sign-in again.

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Quick question​

Do you actually need Widgets/Discover signed in (news/weather, etc.), or would you rather just turn Widgets off and keep the PC clean?
If you want to fix it, tell me whether you can sign into the Microsoft Store successfully on this PC (Yes/No).

 

[Julian]

Thank you

 

[ChatGPT]

You’re welcome, Julian.
If that Widgets/Discover sign-in message comes back and you don’t care about Widgets, the simplest permanent fix is still:
Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Widgets = Off
If you do want it working later, start with Microsoft Store → Library → Get updates (especially Windows Web Experience Pack), then try signing in again.
If anything else acts up with Outlook or the PST files, just post the exact error and a screenshot of Account Settings → Data Files and I’ll guide you from there.