Outlook Data Files PST Usage is Disabled on This Computer[Fixed]

A Quick Guide to the Post

Outlook has become an indispensable tool for daily office work and studying for computer users. It is a personal information manager that enables individuals to manage their emails, contacts, tasks, notes, and more.

Outlook data files are stored locally on the computer in .pst format. PST stands for Personal Storage Table, which is an open proprietary file format used to save copies of emails, calendar entries, and other data within Microsoft Outlook.

However, when using Microsoft Outlook (2016/2013/2010/2007/2003/2000), you might encounter an error stating "Outlook data files (.pst) are disabled on your computer" due to some unknown reasons. Consequently, you're unable to open or add any PST files in Outlook, making it a frustrating situation since all your emails and data become inaccessible.

Why Does the "Outlook Data File (.pst) Usage is Disabled on This Computer" Error Occur?

You might be wondering why this error occurs. The primary reason for the "Outlook data file (.pst) usage is disabled on this computer" message to pop up is that you have disabled the ability to add PST files or the option to add a new PST data file on your computer.

To resolve this issue, you can disable the "Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST file" option in Outlook's settings.

How to Resolve the Issue: Outlook Data File PST Usage is Disabled on This Computer

Two solutions are available to address the issue of "Outlook Data File (.pst) Usage is Disabled on this Computer." The first solution involves disabling Outlook's auto-archive settings manually, while the second option entails utilizing the Registry.

However, if you opt to resolve the issue using the Registry, there is a risk of modifying it incorrectly, potentially leading to severe consequences and impacts. Therefore, we will concentrate on the first approach, which involves manually fixing the problem with a step-by-step guide.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1. Download and install the Office Administrative 2010 Template from the Microsoft Download Center. (Select the 32-bit or 64-bit version based on your installed Office version)

Step 2. Navigate to the Policy Management Support and select the GPO (Group Policy Object) that you want to modify in Custom settings. Right-click on the Default Domain Policy and choose Edit.

Step 3. Access Outlook settings and locate Outlook Options.

Step 4. Choose the Other option and then click on Auto-archive. Make sure to Enable the Disable data file option. After that, exit the Archive settings.

Step 5. Launch and open your Outlook application, then navigate to the PST settings. Disable the option Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File or Prevent using started Exclusive PSTs.

< strong > Step 6. Run < strong > gpupdate/force to apply the GPO immediately, and then log in to your local machine. You can see that the user is not prevented from performing Outlook .pst-related operations.  

Until now, you have successfully resolved the Outlook error stating "Outlook data file (.pst) usage is disabled on your computer." You can now open or add any PST files in Outlook without encountering any issues.

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Bonus: Tools for Todo Backup - Ensuring Absolute Security of Outlook Data

As previously stated, even though you have resolved the issue of Outlook Data File (.pst) usage being disabled on your computer, Outlook is still susceptible to data loss. In such scenarios, PST files along with other Outlook data like emails, contacts, calendar entries, etc., can be in jeopardy. Therefore, we strongly advise you to regularly backup your Outlook data to safeguard against any possible data loss.

Todo Backup is a dependable Outlook backup solution that allows you to effortlessly backup all your data with mere clicks. It simplifies the process of backing up and restoring Microsoft Outlook 2016, 2013, 2019, and 2010 versions in just a few simple steps.

Another advantage of Todo Backup is its ability to store backups on an external hard drive, cloud services like Google Drive, or network locations (NAS). This ensures that if your computer is affected by issues like a virus attack, you can promptly restore Outlook data from the backup. PST files, on the other hand, can only save data on a local drive.

It also supports full backup, incremental backup, and differential backup modes to ensure that your Outlook data is always secure. In addition to backing up Outlook data, it can also assist in backing up your system, hard drive, partitions, and more, ensuring comprehensive protection for your data.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Todo Backup to create a backup of your Outlook data: 1. **Download and Install Todo Backup**: Visit the official website of Todo Backup and download the appropriate version for your operating system. Install it following the on-screen instructions. 2. **Launch Todo Backup**: After installation, double-click the shortcut icon on your desktop or find it in your Start menu to launch the application. 3. **Select Backup Type**: Upon opening Todo Backup, you'll see various backup options. Choose "Email Backup" or "Outlook Backup" (if available) to proceed with backing up your Outlook data. 4. **Configure Backup Settings**: In the backup settings window, you may be asked to select the Outlook profile you want to back up if you have multiple profiles configured. Choose the one containing the data you need. 5. **Select Data to Backup**: Todo Backup should automatically detect Outlook folders like Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, etc. You can choose to include or exclude specific folders as per your preference. 6. **Choose Destination**: Decide where you want to save your backup file. You can opt for local storage, external hard drive, network location, or even cloud storage (if supported by Todo Backup). 7. **Schedule Backup**: If you wish to create backups regularly, you can set a schedule. Choose from options like daily, weekly, or monthly, and specify the preferred time. 8. **Start Backup**: Review your settings, and click "Backup Now" or "Start" to initiate the backup process. The time taken will depend on the size of your Outlook data. 9. **Monitor Backup Progress**: Todo Backup will display the progress of the backup. Wait until it completes, and you'll receive a notification once done. 10. **Verify Backup**: It's essential to verify the backup after completion. You can do this by restoring a small portion of the data to ensure the backup is functional and intact. Remember to keep your backup files secure and update them regularly to avoid losing important data.

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer, and click Create Backup on the home screen. Then, hit the big question mark to select backup contents.

Step 2. Among the four backup options, click "Apps data".

Step 3. Next, you'll see a list of all the apps that can be backed up. Locate and check the "Microsoft Outlook" option. Select the mailbox addresses from which you want to back up emails, contacts, or calendars, and then click "OK".

Step 4. Next, you'll need to select a location to save the Outlook backup by clicking on the depicted area.

Step 5. The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, network, cloud, or NAS. Generally, we recommend using an external physical drive or cloud to store the backup files.

Step 6. If interested, you can access customization settings such as setting an automatic backup schedule for daily, weekly, monthly intervals, or upon specific events, and creating differential and incremental backups by clicking on the Options button. Once done, click "Backup Now". The Outlook backup process will then commence. Upon completion, the finished backup task will be displayed on the left side in a card format.

The Bottom Line

We hope this guide has assisted you in resolving the "Outlook data file (.pst) usage is disabled" error on your computer. If you have any further inquiries or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Should unexpected Outlook data loss occur, don't forget to utilize Todo Backup tools to ensure the safety of your Outlook data.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How do I activate the Outlook data file PST?

Open Outlook and then click on "File". Under the "Info" section, select "Account Settings". In the navigation pane, choose "Data Files". Double-click on the PST file you wish to enable. Click "OK" to confirm and exit.

2. How do I backup my disabled Outlook PST file?

If the PST file is disabled, you can utilize a third-party utility, such as Todo Backup, to create a backup of your Outlook data. This is a reliable Outlook backup tool that enables you to backup all your Outlook data with minimal effort. Additionally, it offers full, incremental, and differential backup options to ensure the safety of your Outlook data at all times.

Why can't I open a PST file in Outlook?

"Outlook PST cannot be opened" typically indicates an issue where Outlook is attempting to access a corrupted PST (Personal Storage Table) file. This occurs when certain elements within the PST file are damaged or missing, rendering the file unreadable.