Outlook PST File Disabled on This Computer [How to Fix it?]

Are you suffering from the issue of Outlook data file usage being disabled on this computer? This article will provide solutions. Here, we will understand the problem behind the error and then explore the solutions.

What are Outlook Data Files?

There are two types of Outlook Data Files: PST and OST files. The OST file is used to store, view and edit your Outlook data in offline mode only. PST file on the other hand stores, imports, and exports all Outlook items. This is the same Outlook data file you can use to store and open the file on your local computer. However, recently a user has been facing a problem with PST disabled on their computer, which we have shared with you.

“Recently, a colleague sent me a PST file with some important data. I opened the file on my computer, but an error occurs like Outlook data files (.pst) usage is disabled on this computer. I don’t know what this issue is and don’t know how to solve it. Please help me.”

This same problem is encountered by many Outlook users. So, we will help you in this situation by sharing with you expert-recommended methods. But, before that, we will first understand the reasons behind this problem.

Why Outlook Data Files are Disabled?

Outlook provides the best email services. However issues like Outlook data file usage is disabled on this computer can happen to many Outlook users. This type of issue can be caused by many factors which we explained below.

• The common cause of the problem is the corrupt PST file. Corruption of files can affect your data and you are unable to open the files.
• A corrupted Outlook profile can also be the cause of the problem.
• Issues in your desktop or the operating systems can be reasons your PST file is disabled.
• Using faulty and incompatible add-ins as well as antivirus which created conflicts with other apps.
• Large oversized PST files. In some cases, your PST file exceeds the maximum size limit of the file. Many problems can occur including this one.

So, you can see many factors that can affect your files and you can’t open them on the computer. To fix this, we will provide you with various methods that will help you.

Use Registry Editor

On your Windows desktop, there is a graphical tool registry editor that you can use to view, edit, and organize your Windows database or registry. The database contains various low-level settings for the operating system and applications. Using this you can enable the PST file on your computer. Here are the steps.

1. Open the Windows search bar by pressing “Win+R” and search regedit.
2. If the system asks permission, click “Yes”. The registry editor will open.
   
3. In the search box above, enter the path: “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\\Outlook”. Replacing with the version of Microsoft Office you are using.
4. In the Outlook key ensure, the DWORD value will be DisablePST. If you can’t find it. Right-click on the Outlook key.
5. Select “New” and “DWORD (32-bit)” value. Type “DisablePST”.
6. Double-click the DisablePST key and set its value to “0” to use the PST file. Hit “OK”.
7. Close the registry editor and restart Outlook.

Reduce Outlook Mailbox Size

If the problem outlook data file usage is disabled on this computer still exists. Then, the problem will be the size of your Outlook mailbox. To reduce that follow the steps below.

1. First, archive all your important old emails so that you will not lose your important data.
2. Then, delete unnecessary items such as empty deleted items and purge Junk emails.
3. To reduce your mailbox, save large attachments locally on your computer.
4. Clean up mailbox option helps to reduce the size of mailbox. Click on “File”, then the “Tools” option.
5. Select the “Mailbox cleanup”, choose the options like “View Mailbox Size”, “Find large items”, or “Auto archive”.
6. After that, follow the prompts to reduce mailbox size.

Update old Outlook and Operating System

Using the old versions of the system or Outlook can make your task tough. So, follow the steps to update your program.

1. Open Outlook and click “File” >> “Office Account” >> “Update Options”.
2. Click on the “Update Now” button.
3. To update your system. Open the Windows settings on your desktop.
4. Go to “Windows Update” at the top of the screen.
   
5. Click on the “Restart Now” to update your Windows system.
   

Disable Third Party Add-ins

Faulty add-ins can also lead to the Outlook data file usage is disabled on this computer problem. Below are the steps to remove them.

1. In the Outlook, click “File” >> “Options” >> “Add-in buttons”.
2. At the bottom of the screen, click on the “Manage” option.
3. Set the COM Add-ins and press “Go”.
4. In the COM Add-in, you will see the list of the installed add-in. Uncheck the boxes for third-party add-ins. Then, click on “Ok”.
   
5. Close and restart your Outlook.

Repair Outlook Profile

Corrupt Outlook profiles create many issues including PST disable on this computer. So, by repairing the corrupt profile the issue will be solved.

1. First, check that the PST you are trying to use is restricted or not.
2. Then, open the Control Panel on your system. In the search bar, type “Mail” and find it.
3. Click on the “Mail (32-bit)”.
4. After that, select the “Show Profiles”.
5. Choose your Outlook profile, and click on “Properties and Data Files”.
6. Select the “Email accounts” >> “Account” >> “Repair” options.
7. After the profile repair, restart your Outlook.

Create A New Outlook Profile

If repairing your Outlook profile, do not solve Outlook data files (.pst) usage is disabled on this computer. You can create a new profile and move the data from the old profile to the new one.

1. Close the Outlook program, if it is running. Open the Control Panel.
2. Search for Mail and click “Mail (32-bit)”.
3. Click on “Show Profiles”. To create a new profile, select the “Add” button.
4. Enter your name and press “OK”.
5. Type the email address, password, and other necessary credentials.
6. After adding the account, click on the “Data Files” in the Account Settings window.
7. Select the “data file (PST)” and click “Set as Default”.
8. In the Mail window, under When starting Microsoft Outlook. Click on “Always use this profile” and then select the recently created profile.
9. After that, open the Outlook program and see if the PST file is still working.

Repair Corrupt PST File

Corrupt PST files are also the cause of the problem. Therefore, using Outlook’s built-in ScanPST.exe can help you resolve the issue.

1. First, locate the ScanPST.exe file. Follow the path below to open the Inbox Repair tool:
   • For Outlook 365 or 2019: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX\SCANPST.EXE
   • For earlier versions: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX\SCANPST.EXE
2. After opening the ScanPST.exe. Browse the location where your PST file is.
3. Click the “Start” button to scan your file. If it is found the errors in your file. Press the “Repair” button.

Use Office 2010 Administrative Template

Using the Group policy, users can configure their office so that the problem of Outlook data file usage being disabled on this computer will be solved. Follow the steps below.

1. Go to the Microsoft Download Center and download the Office 2010 Administrative Template files.
2. Open Policy Management Support and click on “GPO”.
3. Right-click on the Default Domain Policy and select the “Edit” button.
4. Open Outlook 2010 settings and proceed to Outlook options.
5. Choose “Other” and click “Auto-Archive”. Enable the disabled data file. After that exit the archive option and disable auto-archive the settings.
6. Open MS Outlook 2010, then click on the “PST Settings” option. Disable the Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File or Prevent using the Sharing Exclusive PSTs option.
7. Select the “Disabled Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File”.
8. On your desktop, run the gpupdate and you will notice that the users are not blocked from using the Outlook data file.

So these are the different ways to fix the problem of Outlook data files (.pst) usage being disabled on this computer. This problem has been solved now, but in the future, you can have this problem again. So, to avoid this issue, download your Outlook data file, so that if your PST file is disabled you can still access your data.

To Sum Up

The problem of Outlook data file usage is disabled on this computer and can happen to anyone. Therefore, in this article, we explained this issue with the factors that lead to PST files disabled. Also, we have provided you with several methods which can help you fight the problem. These methods can help you solve the issue, but there are chances that it will happen again. In that case, downloading your Outlook emails is a great way to prevent the error from happening again.