Outlook 2003; Windows 7; "Unable to open your default e-mail folde

[cornsplicer]

Outlook 2003; Windows 7; Error: "Unable to open your default e-mail folders.
The information store could not be opened." Outlook then closes when you
click ok.
Outlook 2003 works fine on a Vista installation, but when Windows 7 upgrade
is carried out the error message above always comes up. I have tried deleting
the mail profile and recreating it, and creating a new Windows user, but the
end result is always the same. I have checked the Application Data/Local/etc
file permissions. What am I doing wrong? Is there a bug? My machine is a 64
bit HP Pavilion Intel Quad core processor, and I am setting up POP3 mail.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Outlook 2003; Windows 7; Error: "Unable to open your default e-mail folders.
The information store could not be opened." Outlook then closes when you
click ok.
Outlook 2003 works fine on a Vista installation, but when Windows 7 upgrade
is carried out the error message above always comes up. I have tried
deleting
the mail profile and recreating it, and creating a new Windows user, but the
end result is always the same. I have checked the Application Data/Local/etc
file permissions. What am I doing wrong? Is there a bug? My machine is a
64
bit HP Pavilion Intel Quad core processor, and I am setting up POP3 mail.

Use the Mail applet on Control Panel to make sure you've properly configured
your mail profile.

 

[cornsplicer]

Thanks for the reply Brian.

I have already tried deleting profiles, creating new one's etc. The problem
is still there.

Interestingly, I tried accessing the .pst file created by Outlook 2003 from
another machine with an Outlook 2003 client, and it found and opened it ok.
I also tried moving the .pst files to a different folder altogether using the
forcePSTpath instruction in the registry. The behaviour remains the same.

As it all worked ok before I upgraded from Vista to Windows 7, I think there
must be something in the environment preventing Outlook 2003 on my machine
reading the file it has successfully created when a new profile is generated.
I notice for example that the registry still contains Windows Mail entries -
I presume inherited from the original Vista installation. I also wondered
whether anything in Windows live could affect things?

Anyway, any insights will be most helpful.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I have already tried deleting profiles, creating new one's etc. The problem
is still there.

What were the exact steps you used?

 

[cornsplicer]

1. From control panel started email tool (Outlook is not running at this
stage).
2. Removed existing profile by highlighting the profile in "Show Profile"
and then clicking the remove button.
3. Then clicked Add and followed the process to create a profile and set up
a POP3 account. I have used a new name, and selected "always use this
profile".
4. Then clicked on the properties button to see what datafile is created.
5. Then viewed email account and checked where new mail is delivered. Then
clicked finished.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

1. From control panel started email tool (Outlook is not running at this
stage).
2. Removed existing profile by highlighting the profile in "Show Profile"
and then clicking the remove button.
3. Then clicked Add and followed the process to create a profile and set up
a POP3 account. I have used a new name, and selected "always use this
profile".
4. Then clicked on the properties button to see what datafile is created.
5. Then viewed email account and checked where new mail is delivered. Then
clicked finished.

That should work, but have you tried creating a fresh data file?

 

[cornsplicer]

Yes I have, but I will try it again later today and let you know the result.
Do you think I should go all the way and deinstall/reinstall Office, having
first deleted all the files in the Outlook folder?

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Yes I have, but I will try it again later today and let you know the result.
OK.

Do you think I should go all the way and deinstall/reinstall Office, having
first deleted all the files in the Outlook folder?

It might, but I doubt it. I'd delete the mail profile from the registry
first.

 

[cornsplicer]

Brian,

I have tried deleting and recreating the prolie from the control panel. No
Joy. Then I deleted the profile from Registry and recreated it from the
control panel. No joy. Then I deinstalled and reinstalled outlook. Still no
joy.

At this point I'm a bit stuck!

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I have tried deleting and recreating the prolie from the control panel. No
Joy. Then I deleted the profile from Registry and recreated it from the
control panel. No joy. Then I deinstalled and reinstalled outlook. Still no
joy.

At this point I'm a bit stuck!

Me, too. If this were happening to me, I'd consider a fresh install of
Windows.

 

[cornsplicer]

Brian,

I have done a clean install of Windows 7, as you suggested. After
installing SP3, Outlook 2003 now works ok with the file it created on
installation. There is still a problem when you try to open the backup .pst
file - Outlook stops working, Microsoft looks for a solution, and then
Outlook starts itself again. This happens after "File/Open/<filename>
selected, and it doesn't seem to recognise the file. I have run scanpst on
the file and it reports it as ok. However I feel I am now making some
progress at last, although I still have to reinstall the rest of my
applications. Thank you for your help.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I have done a clean install of Windows 7, as you suggested. After
installing SP3, Outlook 2003 now works ok with the file it created on
installation. There is still a problem when you try to open the backup .pst
file - Outlook stops working, Microsoft looks for a solution, and then
Outlook starts itself again. This happens after "File/Open/<filename>
selected, and it doesn't seem to recognise the file. I have run scanpst on
the file and it reports it as ok. However I feel I am now making some
progress at last, although I still have to reinstall the rest of my
applications. Thank you for your help.

So, SCANPST.EXE says the file is OK but Outlook crashes when you try to open
the PST? You say "File/Open/<filename>", but Outlook expects
File>Open>Outlook Data File, then the file specification. Are you trying to
open it in Outlook?

I don't know what else to suggest. Perhaps someone else will have an idea.

 

[cornsplicer]

Brian,

Although Outlook 2003 stopped working and restarted itself, it turns out
that it had lodged the pst file in the navigation pane and it subsequently
opened correctly. So in effect I am sorted out now. I'm not going to worry
why it wanted to shut down and restart itself. Once again thank you for
your help and support.

Regards,
Cornsplicer