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Quick Fix: “This Outlook PST File Is Already in Use with the Current Profile”

Ritu Roy | File Repair fix How to's Outlook outlook error Software Technology | 5 minutes read | Modified on: 01-07-2025
Outlook PST is already in use with the current profile

Summary – This article provides a step-by-step guide to resolving the “Outlook PST is already in use with the current profile” error, an issue that can prevent you from opening Outlook or sending and receiving emails.

Microsoft Outlook is a popular email client widely used in both personal and professional settings. It relies on PST (Personal Storage Table) files to store essential data such as emails, calendar entries, contacts, tasks, and appointments.

However, users may sometimes encounter error messages like: “Outlook PST is in use and cannot be accessed” or “Outlook data file already in use.” These errors can be both confusing and frustrating, especially when they interrupt access to important emails and other data.

What Causes the PST File In-Use Error in Outlook?

This issue can arise due to several reasons, including:

  • Multiple Outlook instances running simultaneously
  • Conflicts with third-party applications that interact with Outlook
  • Incompatible or faulty Outlook add-ins
  • Insufficient or incorrect file permissions
  • Corrupted or damaged PST files in more severe cases

What Are the Consequences of This Error?

When this error appears, users may experience:

  • Inability to access emails or other Outlook data
  • Disrupted workflow and increased downtime
  • Potential data loss or corruption if the issue is left unresolved

Now that we’ve covered the common causes and possible impacts of the error, let’s move on to practical solutions you can use to fix the problem and restore normal Outlook functionality.

How to Fix the Outlook Error: “The PST File Is Already in Use in the Current Profile”

If you’re encountering the error message that your PST file is already in use, it’s often caused by minor glitches or conflicts. Here are some initial troubleshooting steps you can try before moving on to more advanced fixes:

Solution 1: Run Outlook as Administrator

Running Outlook with administrator privileges can often fix the PST file-in-use error by ensuring the program has the necessary permissions to access the PST file without restrictions.

How to Run Outlook as an Administrator:

  1. Make sure Outlook is completely closed before starting.
  2. Click the Start menu and type Outlook in the search bar.
  3. Right-click on the Outlook app from the search results and select Run as administrator.
  4. If a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click Yes to grant administrative access.
  5. Outlook will launch with elevated permissions, allowing it to fully access system files and the PST file.

Running Outlook this way can help bypass permission issues that might be blocking access to your PST data.

Solution 2: Move the Outlook PST File to a New Location

Relocating your Outlook PST file can help fix the “PST file already in use” error by resolving issues related to file permissions, corruption, or network access. Moving the file to a different folder or drive often clears up conflicts and improves Outlook’s ability to access your data.

Steps to Relocate the PST File:

  1. Close Outlook completely to avoid any file access conflicts.
  2. Open File Explorer and navigate to the current location of your PST file. Common locations include:
    • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Outlook Files\
    • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\
  3. Copy the PST file to your desired new location (for example, a different folder or drive).
  4. Open Outlook again, then go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
  5. In the Account Settings window, switch to the Data Files tab.
  6. Select the PST file you moved and click Remove. Don’t worry—this only removes the file from Outlook, it doesn’t delete it from your system.
  7. Click Add, then browse to the new location and select the copied PST file.
  8. Set this newly added PST file as the default data file for Outlook.
  9. Close and restart Outlook.
  10. Verify that Outlook is working properly and that you can access all your emails, contacts, and other data from the relocated PST file.

Solution 3: Disable Outlook Add-ins

Add-ins can sometimes interfere with Outlook’s normal operation, leading to errors like the “PST file in use with the current profile.” Disabling these add-ins can help identify and fix the problem.

How to Disable Add-ins in Outlook:

  1. Open Outlook, then go to File > Options > Add-ins.
  2. At the bottom of the window, next to Manage, make sure COM Add-ins is selected, then click Go.
  3. In the list of add-ins, uncheck all the boxes to disable them, and click OK.
  4. Close Outlook and then reopen it to check if the error still occurs.
  5. If the problem is gone, go back to the Add-ins menu and enable each add-in one at a time. Restart Outlook after enabling each one.
  6. This process will help you pinpoint the specific add-in causing the conflict.
  7. Once identified, you can either remove the problematic add-in completely or check for updates to fix any compatibility issues.

Solution 4: Update Outlook

Keeping Outlook up to date can help resolve the “PST file is already in use in the current profile” error by improving performance, fixing bugs, and enhancing stability.

How to Update Outlook:

  1. Open the Outlook application.
  2. Navigate to File > Office Account (or Account, depending on your Outlook version).
  3. Click on the Update Options button.
  4. Select Update Now from the dropdown menu. Outlook will then check for any available updates and download them automatically.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update installation. Once done, restart Outlook to apply the changes.
  6. After updating, launch Outlook and verify if the error still appears.

If the problem persists even after updating, it might indicate an issue with your PST file or Outlook profile. In such cases, consider repairing the PST file or creating a new Outlook profile and importing your existing data.

Solution 5: Repair the PST File to Resolve Outlook Access Issues

A damaged or corrupted PST (Personal Storage Table) file is a common cause of Outlook errors, including the “PST file in use” message. Such problems can arise due to indexing errors, locked files, corruption of the PST structure, or synchronization conflicts between Outlook and the mail server.

If you suspect your PST file is corrupted, repairing it is essential to restore normal functionality.

You can try the following methods to fix the PST file:

By addressing PST file corruption, you can resolve access issues and prevent further Outlook disruptions.

Conclusion

The “PST file is already in use in the current profile” error in Outlook can be quite frustrating, but thankfully, it’s usually fixable. Whether it’s by running Outlook as an administrator, moving the PST file to a new location, disabling conflicting add-ins, updating Outlook, or repairing corrupted PST files, these methods can resolve the issue across both older and newer Outlook versions.

By applying these solutions, you can regain full access to your Outlook data and enjoy uninterrupted email management. To avoid similar problems in the future, make sure to keep your Outlook application, add-ins, and operating system up to date.

Additionally, regularly backing up your Outlook data and storing copies in multiple safe locations is a smart practice that helps protect your information and prevents potential data loss.

Following these tips will ensure a smoother, more reliable Outlook experience and minimize the chances of encountering this and other related errors.