Outlook Data File Archive PST Cannot Be Found – Solved

  

Rollins Duke   
Published: October 16th, 2025 • 8 Min Read

When you open Microsoft Outlook and see the message Outlook Archive PST Cannot be found. It means Outlook is unable to locate the archive data file(.PST) that stores your old or archived emails. This commonly occurs when the Archive PST file has been moved, deleted, renamed or stored in a location that Outlook no longer access.

The issue typically affects users who archive their emails to reduce mailbox size or move data between devices. Business users, in particular may face this error after system upgrades, profile changes or when an archive file is stored on external or network drives.

Understanding Why Outlook Archive PST File Cannot Be Found is the first step to know the way to restore archive data and keep your Outlook data remain safe and inaccessible.

Symptoms of the Outlook Archive PST Cannot be Found Error

When Outlook cannot locate your PST file, it typically shows warning messages or missing data indicators. Recognizing these signs early can help you act before data loss becomes permanent.

Error Messages Shown

Users may see one or more of the following alerts when this issue occurs:

• Outlook data file cannot be found.
• The file path\Archive PST cannot be found.
• Cannot open Outlook data file Archive PST missing.
• The file you specified is not a valid Outlook data file.

What Users See?

• The Archive folder disappears from the navigation pane.
• Outlook starts but fails to load archived mail items.
• Attempting to open or import an archive PST returns an error.
• Search results no longer include archived messages.
• Outlook becomes slow or unresponsive when trying to access the archive.

Causes of Outlook Archive PST Cannot Be Found

• If the archive PST file has been accidentally moved, renamed, or deleted items from its original folder, Outlook will no longer access, recognize its path and display the cannot be found error.
• Archiving files to cloud-synced folders or external storage can cause path changes. When synchronization delays or offline states occur, Outlook cannot locate the PST.
• A damaged PST file due to abrupt shutdowns, disk errors, or large file size can make it unreadable. Outlook will then fail to open the archive.
• If you have created a new Outlook profile or reset setting, then the old archive path may not be correctly linked, causing Outlook to report that PST cannot be found.
• When an archive PST file is stored in a restricted path or shared folder or has limited read/write permissions then it can prevent Outlook from loading the PST file.
• Update Outlook or WIndows as it can sometimes can’t load files and disable auto archive links, when PSTs are stored at different locations.

How to Find the Missing Archive PST File?

If you receive the Outlook Archive PST cannot be found error, then first step to check the PST file location and follow the process as we have mentioned in the upcoming section to fix this error:

1. PST File Location: C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
2. Or you can check in Outlook and hit on file.
   
3. Tap on Account Settings and again choose Account Settings in the drop down menu.
   
4. Hit on the Data files tab and list all linked PST files and their PST file paths. If your archive PST is missing, you can manually read it, click on add and browse the PST file.
   
5. Enter *.pst in Windows search.
6. If a PST file is deleted accidentally you can restore it from the cloud, file history or older Outlook backup.

Solutions to Fix “Outlook Archive PST Cannot be Found”

Method 1. Restore from Backup or Re-Copy File to Correct Location

If the PST file was moved or deleted, place it back into the original directory Outlook references. Relaunch Outlook and verify that the archive folder appears.

Method 2. Using the Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST) to repair corrupted archive PST

If the PST file exists but cannot be opened, then the PST file gets corrupted. Use Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool as we have explained below:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Locate ScanPST.exe(usually in the Office Installation folder).
3. Run it and select damaged Archived PST.
   
4. Click Start to begin scanning and repairing the file.
   

Method 3. Create or Adjust Outlook Profile to Point Correct PST File

1. Open Control Panel and click on Mail and hit on data files.
   
2. Remove the invalid archive entry.
3. Add a New Data file and browse to your correct outlook PST location.
4. Relaunch Outlook to confirm the issue is resolved.

Method 4. Check and Re-Establish Permissions

1. If the archive PST file is stored on a shared drive, check you have read/write permissions.
2. Right-click the PST file and properties.
3. Hit on the Security tab and confirm your user account has full access.

Method 5. Remove Sync Conflict(OneDrive or Other Cloud Backup)

When PST files are stored in a sync folder(like OneDrive), temporary sync conflicts can block Outlook access. Pause OneDrive syncing, reopen Outlook and confirm whether the archive data loaded successfully.

Method 6. Policy/Group Policy Settings that Hide Archives

In a managed environment, Certain Group Policy does not allow to load local PST files or archives. Ask your IT Administrator to clarify about PST permissions as per the policy.

Preventive Measures

• Regular backup Outlook emails allow users to restore data when it’s deleted, moved or corrupted.
• Storing PST files on a network drive, shared folders, or syncing services like OneDrive and Dropbox can lead to disconnection or version conflicts.
• If you move your archive PST file to another folder or drive, Outlook won’t automatically update the file path. After moving the file, always go to file and hit on Account Settings, and press on data files and update the location manually to prevent the Outlook Archive PST error from reappearing.
• Large or fragmented PST files are more likely to get corrupted or become inaccessible. Large Outlook Compact Now feature and the Inbox Repair Tool(ScanPST.exe) periodically to reduce PST size, repair minor corruption, and also reliable for improving Outlook performance.

Ending Remarks

Let’s end this guide, as we have shared all tried and tested approaches to fix Outlook Archive PST cannot find errors. You can try manually to fix this error. If it’s not done correctly, then it may happen due to a corrupt PST file. So, you can opt to recommend software to get accurate healthy PST files without losing any single information.