In some cases, while you are using the MS Outlook email client, you may receive a bewildering error message that mentions that it cannot open your default email folders. In this article, we offer you nine ways to resolve this issue and get Outlook up and running again.
When it comes to its feature set and overall ease of use the MS Outlook application stands head and shoulders above its peers. In the desktop email client market, it reigns supreme and with no other contender even near to its throne. Yet, even the most adherent fan of MS Outlook would admit that the fabulous application can behave erratically at times. Imagine a scenario when you are working on your favorite email client and suddenly it throws an error message out of the blue which says “Cannot open your default e-mail folders. The information store could not be opened.”. Well in case you have encountered this strange error message, just read on to know how to negotiate it.
Key Causes Behind the Error – Cannot open your default e-mail folders
There may be several causes that can possibly lead to this error message cropping up. In some cases, version conflicts are known to cause this issue. In other scenarios, a corrupted PST file or any issue in the MS Office software package may also contribute to this error. To isolate the cause of the issue and resolve it, just try out the steps listed below
#1. Check Whether Outlook is in Compatibility Mode
One of the first things you need to do if you receive this error is to check whether the MS Outlook application is running in compatibility mode by following the steps listed below.
- Locate the Outlook.exe file on your system
- Next right-click on it and select Properties
- Head to the Compatibility tab
- Just in case any of the boxes on the compatibility tab are marked, you need to uncheck them. Click on Apply to enforce the settings. Restart Outlook and try working in a normal fashion.You can also find more information at Microsoft support site.
#2. Consider Resetting the Navigation Pane in Outlook
In some cases resetting the Navigation Pane in MS Outlook may resolve the issue. To do so, just follow the steps listed below.
- Close the MS Outlook application
- Now in the Run Box (Windows Search Bar) type in Outlook.exe/resetnavpane
- Hit Enter
#3. Check the Outlook Versions in Use
In many cases, this issue is typically found in an office environment where different versions of Outlook are being used. If you have different versions of Outlook installed in a given machine and they are trying to access an Exchange backend, the resultant conflict may cause this issue to crop up. Just keep one iteration of Outlook in your system and try checking for emails again.
You can check your Outlook version easily by following the instructions from Microsoft.
#4. Repair the MS Office Software Suite
At times you may need to consider the possibility of repairing the MS Office software suite which includes MS Outlook. To repair the MS Office software package you can visit the Microsoft Support site for detailed instructions.
#5. Consider Utilizing a Powerful PST Recovery Tool
If the steps listed above fail to fix the issue, there is a very high chance that you are dealing with a corrupt PST file. To resolve the issue it’s best to get hold of the powerful DataNumen Outlook Repair tool which can extract the contents of the compromised file within minutes. The tool can deal with severe incidents of data corruption and offers the best recovery rate amongst its peers.
#6. Try Using ScanPST Tool Provided in MS Office
In the MS Office application suite, Microsoft packs in the ScanPST tool designed to deal with incidents of data corruption. To figure out the location of the tool specific to your system, do check the Microsoft Support site. Once you have located the tool, try out the steps listed below.
- Launch the ScanPST (also known as Inbox Repair Tool) application
- Utilize the Browse option to locate the PST data file you plan to repair
- Next, you need to click on the Start button to quickly initiate the file repair process
#7. Try Attempting to Recover Data Directly From Drive or Data Storage Device
Occasionally you may not be able to perform a recovery of the corrupted PST file but may need to directly attempt recovery from the data drive where Outlook contents were stored. For example, your PST file disappears and you cannot find it anywhere. To achieve the same, you need to use a class-leading tool such as the DataNumen Outlook Drive Recovery application. To perform a recovery, try out the steps mentioned below.
- Open the DataNumen Outlook Drive Recovery application
- Move to the Recovery tab and then simply choose the source Drive that should be analyzed. Basically, this is the drive that the PST data file was typically kept.
- You then need to specify an Output filename
- Next just click on the Start Recovery button to kick-start the scan for figuring out the Outlook data contents. The tool will scan through the drive and recovery Outlook contents in perfect shape as far as possible.
#8. Revert the System to Previous Working State with the System Restore Feature
One of the most thoughtful features present in the Windows Operating System is the System Restore. It basically helps you revert your system to a previous state in a time when everything was working in perfect shape. Hence you can use this tool to get Outlook back in shape with minimum effort. Just launch the tool and choose a previous restore point where you are sure Outlook was working flawlessly and the system will revert back to that state. 
#9. Consider the Possibility of Using a Backup Copy of the PST Data File
At times one of the quickest ways to extract yourself from this situation involves using a backed-up copy of the current PST file to Outlook to work again. Try out the steps listed below to achieve the same.
- Launch the Microsoft Outlook Application and move to the File tab
- Next just click on Account Settings which typically resides below the Info tab
- Further, click on Account Settings from the available drop-down options
- Then just head to the Data Files tab and go to the storage location of the current Outlook PST file
- Bring up the relevant folder and just replace the current file with its backup and launch Outlook to start working again on your favorite email client.
You can also more information about the Outlook data file path at Microsoft site.
Final Thoughts
Strange error messages while working with the Outlook email client can seem to be scary but there is always a way out. In this case, we have provided you with an array of options to try out and we hope you should be able to get the Outlook application up and running in a quick time.
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