Home  »  Blog  »  fix  »  How to Fix the ‘Can’t Copy Outlook PST File’ Issue?

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

Ritu Roy | fix How to's Outlook outlook error Software Technology | 6 minutes read | Modified on: 30-06-2025
Can’t Copy Outlook PST File

If you’re having trouble copying or moving a PST file to a new location, don’t worry, this article provides effective solutions to help you resolve the problem quickly. Read through the entire guide to understand the possible causes and discover proven methods to fix “can’t copy Outlook PST file” issue without hassle.

While attempting to transfer the Outlook PST file to another location or external storage, you might come across the error message ‘Cannot copy or move Outlook.pst file’. This problem can stem from various reasons, including the file being too large, corruption in the PST file, insufficient permissions, the file being actively used, or even a virus or malware infection.

However, don’t worry, just follow the next section of this article to explore effective solutions that can help you fix these PST-related issues.

Possible Causes of the “Cannot Copy or Move Outlook.pst File” Error

  • The PST file may exceed the size supported by the destination file system (e.g., FAT32 has a 4GB limit).
  • If the file is damaged or corrupted, it may prevent successful copying or moving.
  • The PST file might still be open in Outlook or another application, blocking the transfer.
  • You may lack the necessary user permissions to access or move the file.
  • Malicious software could be interfering with the file’s operation.
  • Problems with the source or target drive can also cause transfer failures.
  • If you’re transferring the file over a network, connectivity problems could interrupt the process.

How to Resolve the “Can’t Copy PST File” Issue

Make sure that Outlook and any associated applications are fully closed before proceeding. Once confirmed, try the following methods to resolve the issue “Can’t Copy Outlook PST File”:

  1. Verify File Location and Access Permissions
  2. Attempt to Copy in Safe Mode
  3. Disable Antivirus Temporarily
  4. Reduce the PST File Size
  5. Scan for Disk Issues
  6. Use the Professional Tool

Fix 1: Verify File Location and Access Rights

Make sure you have the appropriate permissions to access and move the PST file. To do this, locate the PST file on your system, right-click it, and choose Properties. Navigate to the Security tab and check whether your user account has read and write permissions. Also, confirm that you have the same level of access to the folder where you’re trying to copy or move the file.

Fix 2: Attempt to Copy the File in Safe Mode

Booting your computer in Safe Mode helps prevent background applications, services, or plugins from interfering with the file transfer. Follow these steps to proceed:

  1. Restart your computer and continuously press the F8 key until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
  2. From the list, select Safe Mode and press Enter.
  3. Once the system starts in Safe Mode, try copying the .pst file again.

If the issue still occurs, move on to the next solution for further troubleshooting.

Fix 3: Turn Off Antivirus Software Temporarily

In some cases, antivirus programs can block or interrupt file operations, including copying or moving PST files. To check if your antivirus is causing the issue, temporarily disable it and then attempt to copy the .pst file again.

Once the file has been successfully copied, don’t forget to re-enable your antivirus to ensure your system stays protected.

Fix 4: Decrease the PST File Size

If the PST file is too large, it may cause issues during copying or moving. You can reduce its size by deleting unnecessary emails, removing large attachments, and eliminating duplicates. Additionally, use Outlook’s built-in archiving feature to split the file into smaller parts.

Follow these steps to create a new, smaller PST file:

  1. Open Outlook and navigate to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
  2. Select Import from another program or file, then click Next.
  3. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next again.
  4. Click Browse to choose a save location for your new PST file, name it appropriately, and click OK.
  5. Make sure to check the Do not import duplicate items option.
  6. Click Finish to create the new PST file.

Now, go to the folder containing the large original PST file. Select the emails or items you want to move, and drag them into the new PST file to reduce the overall size.

Read Blog – How to Import and Export Outlook Data Files

Fix 5: Scan Your Drive for Errors

Problems with the hard drive—such as bad sectors or file system errors—can interfere with copying the PST file. Disk checks can be used to find and fix these problems.

Here’s how to run the chkdsk utility:

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
  2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: chkdsk C: /f /r

(Replace C with the drive letter where your PST file is located.)

  1. Wait for the scan and repair process to complete. Depending on the drive’s size, this could take some time.

Once finished, try copying the PST file again to see if the issue is resolved.

Fix 6: Repair the PST File Using ScanPST

If none of the previous solutions work, the PST file could be corrupted. To fix this, use Microsoft’s built-in Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe) to scan and repair the file.

Locate and run ScanPST.exe, then follow the prompts to scan your PST file and repair any detected errors. After the repair is complete, try copying the PST file again.

For PST files that are severely corrupted and cannot be repaired using standard tools, we recommend using the CubexSoft Outlook Converter. This user-friendly software supports exporting multiple PST files of any size from nearly all versions of Outlook. It can convert PST files into a wide range of formats such as PDF, MBOX, EML, MSG, DOC, RTF, TXT, as well as migrate data to cloud and email platforms like Office 365, Gmail, Thunderbird, Amazon WorkMail, Outlook.com, Yahoo Mail, Lotus Notes, Zimbra, IMAP, and many others.

Tips and Precautions to Maintain PST Files

Regular Backups – Always create regular backups of your PST files to protect your emails, calendars, and other data from corruption, accidental deletion, or loss.

Monitor PST File Size – Large PST files can cause Outlook to slow down and increase the chance of corruption. Keep your PST files manageable by deleting unnecessary emails, archiving older items, and compacting the PST file regularly.

Use Reliable Antivirus Software – Install and run a trusted antivirus program to scan your device frequently, helping to prevent virus and malware infections that could affect your PST files.

Proper Outlook Usage – Always close Outlook properly before shutting down your computer to avoid PST file corruption.

Conclusion

We hope that the solutions in this post have helped you resolve the “Can’t copy Outlook PST file” problem. Addressing this problem promptly is crucial, as ignoring it can lead to data loss or security vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why can’t I export PST files from Outlook?
Common reasons include:

  • Outlook is running in the background
  • PST file size limits
  • Corrupt Outlook profile
  • Outdated Outlook version

2. How can a locked PST file be copied?


Try these steps:

  • Remove the password or use a recovery tool to unlock it
  • Attempt copying using an older Outlook version or repair tools
  • Copy the file in Safe Mode
  • Transfer the PST file to a new drive or folder.

3. How can I make my PST file cleaner?

In Outlook, go to File > Tools > Mailbox Cleanup and select the options to remove unwanted items and free up space in your PST file.