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Resolved Question

Outlook archive file not opening

May 5, 2015 9:13PM PDT

I have Outlook 2007 which has a 4Gb archive pst file stored on a file server, there are other archive pst's that I can open but this one wont, the error is: 'cant open 'xxx file' it is in use and cannot be accessed'
The thing is it isnt in use, i can copy it onto the local machine and open it, i can rename it etc just cant seem to open it from the network.
I have restarted the PC, tried a new outlook profile but no luck.
Would be grateful for any suggestions?
Thanks

Discussion is locked

romanrommel has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Try to repair your archive via ScanPST
May 28, 2015 8:56PM PDT

Repair errors by using Scanpst.exe
Exit Outlook if it is running.

Double-click Scanpst.exe, located at drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE12.

In the Enter the name of the file you want to scan box, enter the name of the .pst or .ost file that you want to check, or click Browse to search for the file.

To specify the scan log options, click Options, and then click the option that you want.

Click Start.

If errors are found after the scan is complete, you will be prompted to start the repair process to fix the errors.

A backup file is created during the repair process. To change the default name or location of this backup file, in the Enter name of backup file box, enter a new name, or click Browse to look for the file that you want to use.

Click Repair.

Start Outlook by using the profile that contains the .pst file that you tried to repair.

On the Go menu, click Folder List.

In the Folder List, you may see a folder named Recovered Personal Folders that contains your default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder. The recovered folders are usually empty, because this is a rebuilt .pst file. The Lost and Found folder contains the folders and items

Also you may learn and visit following threads to know more about solutions for solving your issue...
http://community.office365.com/en-us/f/172/t/262226.aspx
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/3169137

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Answer
Re: Outlook archive file
May 5, 2015 9:18PM PDT

Try scanpst. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/272227 tells how.

If it fails, there are a lot of shareware pst repair tools that might work or might not work. Any link in other posts will be deleted, so you'll have to do some searching yourself.

Kees

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Just a hey, do you remember that OP?
May 9, 2015 3:12AM PDT

That went on and on but later it was revealed the OS was XP. It was something about XP after all.

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Answer
TRUE!
May 6, 2015 1:33AM PDT

I recall that OL2007 needed a SR patch before it would go past 2GB PST files. I can see where folk would get all tripped up on that old issue. I'll stop here so you can do more research. No PST repair tool would be needed for that issue.

There's also the road to newer Outlook versions as well as moving to Thunderbird.
Bob

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Answer
you may do Microsoft manual solution
Jun 10, 2015 8:10AM PDT

1. Go to the location where SCANPST.EXE file is saved.
2. Double-click SCANPST.EXE.
3. A short window Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool will pop up
4. Now click on Browse to select corrupt PST file from the system directory.
5. A new window Select File To Scan will pop up. Select corrupt PST file.
6. Selected PST file will be shown on the edit box. Now click on Start to start the scanning process.
7. SCANPST.EXE will start scanning the corrupt PST file.
8. Within a few seconds the file will be scanned. All the errors and issues will be shown here, if found.
9. The box “Make backup of scanned file before repairing” is checked by default. You may also uncheck it. Now click on Repair button to repair the scanned PST file.
10. It will take a just a couple of minutes to repair the file. Once the file will be repaired this message will take place.