Outlook

Outlook Data Files(.pst) Usage is Disabled on this Computer – Error Resolved

Are you among those who are facing the issue of Outlook data files (.pst) usage being disabled on this computer? If so, then this write-up, definitely helps you to resolve the issue.

“Hey Everyone I am Daniel, working in Multinational Co. I am using Microsoft Outlook version 2019 for a very long time. One day I receive an error popup notification on my Windows screen “Outlook Data Files Usage is Disabled on this computer”. I don’t know why this issue is occurring again and again and this is giving headache to me as my lot of work is pending because of this issue. I am unable to resolve the problem. Please suggest me perfect solution to get rid of this error. Need help ASAP! Thanks in advance.”

In the above user’s scenario, it is mentioned that MS Outlook sometimes gives an error message “Outlook data files(.pst) is disabled on this computer”. Most of the time, the user tries to solve this issue by disabling the ‘‘Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File’ option. However, the fear of losing important data information may come in between.

These methods don’t want you to be technically strong or perfect in technicalities. These are the simplest and the easiest methods to get rid of this issue. The main reason for the issue is when the Outlook data files get corrupted. In the next section, we have discussed the reasons behind the corrupted Outlook data files.

Outlook Data Files (.pst) Usage is Disabled on this Computer – Reasons

Many reasons that lead to corruption or damage in the Outlook data files

• Virus or Malware attacks
• Improper shutdown
• Storage device failure
• Network link issues
• Oversized PST file
• Corrupt or Damaged Outlook data file
• Damaged Outlook Profile
• Underlying problems with the PC on Windows OS
• Incompatible or faulty add INS
• Conflict with other apps, like as antivirus
• Outdated Outlook

Solutions to Fix Outlook data file (.pst) Usage is Disabled on This Computer 2016

Follow the solutions provided below to troubleshoot the Outlook data files PST usage is disabled on this computer error and enable Outlook data file usage on their PC.

Solution 1: Use Registry Editor

Users can enable PST file usage on their PC by editing the registry value associated with the PST file. The steps are as follows:

1. Hit the Windows + R button, then type regedit, and press the enter key or hit on OK button.
2. Then, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office.0\Outlook\PST and generate a new DWORD value PSTDisableGrow.
3. Double hit on this PSTDisableGrow and enter 0 in the value.
4. Save the changes.
5. After that, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office.0\Outlook\PST and create a new DWORD value DisablePST.
6. Put the value of Disable PST to 0 and save the variations.

This will permit the addition of new data to the MS Outlook PST file. Once the user does this, restart the PC for the changes to take effect. Then, launch Outlook and check if the problem is resolved and users can access and use the PST file.

Note:- Users can contact your administrator to check and enable PST usage if disabled by the MS Office policies from the server.

Reduce the Size of your Mailbox

You may also encounter the Outlook PST file usage is restricted error, if the mailbox size is huge or has touched the specified boundary. Follow the below steps to reduce the mailbox size:

1. Go to file > info > Tools and hit on clean up old items.
2. Select the mail folder/email account to archive and then select data from the archive items older than the dropdown.
3. Then hit browse to select a save location. The email items are saved in another local PST file.
4. Once chosen, hit on OK. This will transfer all the old emails (based on the chosen date) to the local PST file.
5. This will lessen the Outlook PST file size and may resolve this issue.

Users should also check and empty the deleted items folder and trash folder to further lessen the PST and mailbox size.

Solution 3:- Update Outlook

Updating Outlook can resolve any bugs that may have triggered this error. The steps to update Microsoft Outlook are as follows:

1. Open MS Outlook and click File> Office Account.
2. Now hit on update options to update.
3. Download & put on new updates, if obtainable, after that, restart MS Outlook.

Solution 4: Disable Add-ins

Incompatible or faulty add-ins are known to cause several problems and errors in Outlook. You can find and eliminate them by following these phases:

1. Shut the MS Outlook and hit the Windows + R Key.
2. Go to the Run dialog box, write Outlook.exe /safe then press enter to start Outlook in a safe way.
3. Hit on the File > Options & choose add-ins.
4. Hit on the Go button and then uncheck all the add-ins checkboxes.
5. Hit on OK. This will disable all the add-ins.
6. Once the add-ins are disabled, restart MS Outlook normally.

It is right that, once the PST file gets damaged, the data of MS Outlook is inaccessible to the users. So, it becomes necessary to recover the damaged Outlook PST file to get back the data items. For this, Microsoft developed a utility Outlook Inbox Repair Tool Scanpst.exe.

Basics of Inbox Repair Tool Scanpst.exe

Scanpst.exe is an application that is provided by Microsoft. This Inbox Repair Tool is pre-installed in Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft offers this unpaid application to repair the damaged Outlook data files. With the help of this utility, the user can easily repair corrupted PST items such as contacts, journals, emails, notes, tasks, and many more.

Outlook Inbox Repair tool Scanpst.exe examines the header part and the rest of the structure of the PST file. If the file is no longer managed in its original structure, then Scanpst.exe reconstructs the header structure. All in all, the ScanPST.exe helps the user to detect and recover damaged Outlook data.

To make use of the Inbox Repair tool, the user must know where ScanPST.exe is located in the system.

Also Read : Get Best ScanPST.exe alternative

How does ScanPST.exe Work?

Locate the ScanPST utility on your Windows PC. You can make use of the following ScanPST location on your Microsoft Outlook version.

• • Outlook 2019: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\
  • Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
  • Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
  • Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
  • Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\ Office 12
• • Now, Open it by double-clicking on it to start repairing corrupt Outlook data files.
  • Tap on the Browse icon and select the corrupt Outlook PST file that you want to repair.
  • Click Start. Now, the inbox repair tool will start scanning the PST file to find any corruption or error in the Outlook data file.
  • Once the utility finds any corruption in the file, choose to make a backup of the scanned file before repairing it to create a backup. This will ensure the safety of your corrupted Outlook data file.
  • Click Repair to start fixing PST file corruption

Wait! Scanpst.exe is Not an Ideal Solution

Yes, you read it right. It is not an ideal solution to go for. Although it is completely free to use. However, there are some limitations, all of which are in the below section.

• The users have highly corrupted Outlook data files. It fails to solve the issue. It only corrects minor corruption issues in the files.<
• The huge size PST file can not be recovered by the tool
• If the user has password-protected files, it that situations also it cannot recover it.
• Most of the time, when it is unable to read the particular content even after many trials. In that case, the ScanPST.exe deletes the unreadable content, which may lead to loss of crucial data information

Note: If you want to know the complete working of Inbox Repair Tool in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010

One-Shot Solution to Fix the Error “Outlook Data Files Usage is Disabled on This Computer”

The error may also be generated if you have corrupted Outlook PST files. If somehow you are unable to fix the error in any way then use can opt for the automated Outlook PST Repair. The tool can resolve this Outlook issue without any data loss. It gives you complete security during the recovery procedure. It has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, so you need not have the technical knowledge to execute the utility.

Quick Simple Steps to Fix Corrupted Outlook PST File

Before anything else, download and launch the software. After that, follow the below-given steps carefully and resolve your request in just a blink of an eye.

1. Once the software is successfully installed, now click on the Add File button.
2. Now one can easily preview the recovered PST data in various preview mode
3. Select the Export button to migrate all PST data items together.
4. Choose PST File from the Export Type and click on the Browse button.
5. At last, click on the Export button and see the prompted message then, tap OK.

Key Features of the Software

• It has an extraordinary feature in that it can correct highly damaged or corrupted files in batch mode.
• It will recover permanently deleted emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, journals Notes, and many more.
• The tool doesn’t impose any restrictions on the size of the Outlook data files
• Moreover, the tool does not require any supportive email application to perform the task.

Read More: How to Fix PST Not Recognized By Outlook Error?

The Verge

In this write-up, we have discussed the issue of Outlook data files (.pst ) usage being disabled on this computer. You can go with either of the approaches to resolve the issue. But we would suggest you choose the software as it is very easy to work with because of its simple interface, numerous benefits, and advantages.