Outlook : "operation failed, object could not be found. " when trying to close a PST.

When you try to close a PST. The error message
"operation failed, object could not be found"
pop up.
After you have tried scanpst and detect and repair. Still won't work.


Solution. (a hard way)

Start Regedit

Go to Key
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\Microsoft Outlook Internet Settings

Where "Microsoft Outlook Internet Settings" is the Outlook profile name that has problem. (note: Outlook support multiple profile even for same Windows login)

In the HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\Microsoft Outlook Internet Settings, you will see a bunch of long string sub keys in it

Like in the format of GUID, like e.g. 75d1fa940a0d3a4497130516edbde90e

Then, start at the very first sub keys of HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\Microsoft Outlook Internet Settings. Right click on sub key,

Select Find (menu)
And then, in the Find dialog, check on 'Values' (checkbox) and leave the other uncheck.
In the Find What text box, key in 01020fff

Then, you will see a few values get highlighted. Double click on it and you will see
something like this




reg_screen Posted by Hello

Check what is in it, the value show is actually the PST path of your Outlook Store.



HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\Microsoft Outlook Internet Settings\XXXXXXXX

delete the whole XXXXXXXX key if it contain the 01020fff which is the PST path you can't close it in the Outlook. You can check what is your PST path in Outlook by checking the properties of the mailbox. (the root node in the tree)

The reason why you need to do this is that Outlook API is unable to remove the sub key where it is appearing in the Outlook folder list. Doing this is to force to remove the sub string manually. However, there is a risk to take whenever you are changing any registry key. By the way, if your PST/OST is a Exchange Mailbox, this solution is not suitable cause this is meant for local PST where the PST file is stored locally and no one copy in server.

(IMPORTANT: Make sure you back up your keys before deleting it by just right click on the key you want to delete and select "Export" in the regedit.)

Comments

Gerjan Boer said…
So much thanks for this golden tip!!!!
Unknown said…
After lots of digging and no apparent "easy" method to fix this problem, yours looked like the best and it was. Thanks for the tip. I just need to coordinate what folders I knew where real and delete the bogus ones.

I applied this to Outlook 2003 Corporate.
Anthony Yio said…
Yup, it is annoying that there is no easy and good way to clean it in Outlook program or MAPI / OOM call itself.
Alexis said…
For work with mails recommend use-repair outlook 2007 pst,application is free as how as I remember,it can help to extract data from corrupted files in *.ost and *.pst format and avoid losing of critical contacts, calendars and messages,tool is compatible with all supported versions of Microsoft Windows, besides Microsoft Outlook 2007 you can use any other version of this email client,extract data from corrupted files in *.ost and *.pst format and avoid losing of critical contacts, calendars and messages,can preview the results and make sure, that all emails were repaired successfully.
Alex said…
In the internet there is one good application-download pst recovery utility,it works with corrupted and deleted mails,and it helped me some weeks ago when I was in difficult condition,it can process PST and OST files and extract all critical data, no need to wait, it is very fast,supports all Microsoft Windows operating systems, starting from Windows 98 to Windows Vista,working with Outlook pst data recovery software and .pst recovery program,will recreate folder structure and all messages, which are found in your mailbox,preview the results and make sure, that all emails are successfully repaired.
Alexis said…
Yesterday in my MS Outlook was big error and after all mails were deleted.But fortunately google helped me and I found-how to read ost file.Tool recover all my data very quickly.It is free as is known.Moreover tool helped me to read ost files without Outlook and save all your emails, contacts, tasks and calendars, that may be lost.
CP said…
Alexis - its free for only 50 USD :)
Annie said…
This is very interesting medium it have very useful info for me. I like the post very much .
corrupt pst files

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