How to Fix the ‘Can’t Copy Outlook PST File’ Issue?

You may encounter the ‘Cannot copy or move Outlook.pst file’ error while trying to copy or move the Outlook PST file to another location or storage device. This issue can be caused by several factors, such as file size limitations, file corruption, permission issues, the PST file being in use, Virus or Malware Infection, etc.

Nevertheless, follow the upcoming section in this article to find solutions that can resolve the PST issues:

Solutions to Fix “Can’t Copy PST File”

Ensure your Outlook and related applications are completely closed, and try the solutions below:

• Check File Location and Permissions
• Try Copying in Safe Mode
• Temporarily Disable Antivirus
• Reduce File Size
• Check for Disk Errors
• Repair the PST File

Fix 1: Check File Location and Permissions

Ensure that you have the necessary file permissions to copy the PST file, locate the PST file, right-click on the PST file, select Properties, go to the Security tab, and verify that you have read and write permissions for both the source and destination folders.

Fix 2: Try Copying in Safe Mode

Restart the device in Safe Mode to prevent plugins, apps, or services from interfering. Then, try copying the PST file again, here is how it’s done:

• Restart your computer and press the F8 key repeatedly until you see the Advanced Boot Options screen.
• Choose Safe Mode and Press Enter
• Now try copying the .pst file. If the error persists continue with the next solution

Fix 3: Temporarily Disable Antivirus

Sometimes antivirus may interfere with file operations, preventing files from being copied or moved from one to another, So disable them temporarily and copy the .pst file again.

Once you are done copying the file, re-enable your antivirus

Fix 4: Reduce File Size

To reduce the .pst file size, try removing irrelevant emails and attachments, and also eliminate duplicates. Additionally, use the archiving feature in Outlook to split the PST file.

• Open Outlook, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.

• Select Import from another program or file and click Next.

• Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.

• Click Browse to select a location for your new PST file. Give a descriptive name and click OK.
• Check the Do not import duplicate items box.

• Click Finish.
• Now open the folder containing the large PST file.
• Select the items you want to archive, then drag and drop the selected items into the new PST file

Fix 5: Check for Disk Errors

If the drive containing the PST file has bad sectors or other issues then it could cause issues while copying the PST file, Try running the chkdsk command to fix minor drive issues..

• Open Command prompt as Administrator
• Type: chkdsk C: /f /r (Replace C with your drive letter) and Press Enter.

• Wait until the scan is completed, then try copying the PST file again.

Fix 6: Repair the PST File

If you still cannot copy the PST file after trying the above troubleshooting steps, the file might be corrupt. Try scanning the PST file using ScanPST (Inbox Repair Tool).

In the case of severely corrupt PST files, we suggest you try Rikvr Repair for Outlook, as it is easy to use and capable of fixing severely corrupt PST files of all sizes from almost all Outlook versions.

After Downloading and opening the Outlook repair tool, Follow the instructions below to repair your PST file:

Step 1: Import the Corrupted PST file using one of the following options-

• Open Default PST File: Imports PST file from the default location
• Select PST File Manually: Browse and select the corrupted PST file
• Find All Your PST Files: The software scans the entire drive and lists all the PST files.

Step 2: Choose a scan option, select a desired location to save the repaired PST file, and click on Repair to begin the repair process.

Step 3: View the repair report and click on the destination to view the repaired PST file.

Tips and Precautions to Maintain PST Files

• Regular Backups: Take regular backups of PST files to avoid losing emails, calendars, and other data to corruption, accidental deletion, or missing PST files.
  
  
• Monitor PST file size: Large PST files can slow down Outlook and increase the risk of corruption. Keep your PST file at a manageable size by deleting unnecessary emails, archiving old emails, and compacting the PST file.
  
  
• Antivirus: Use a reliable Antiruvus tool and scan your device regularly to prevent virus and malware attacks.
  
  
• Proper Usage: Close Outlook properly before shutting down your computer to prevent file corruption.

Conclusion

I hope that by the end of this article, you were able to resolve the ‘Can’t copy Outlook PST file’ issue using the provided solutions. It is important to address this issue as early as possible because if left unresolved, it can lead to data loss or security risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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