We could not create the Outlook data file [Fix]

In this post, we will help you fix the We could not create the Outlook data file error on Windows 11/10. Some Windows users have complained of facing this error while adding a new account to Microsoft Outlook. Here is the full error message that you get when this error is triggered:

Something went wrong
We could not create the Outlook data file. Make sure the disk you’re saving to isn’t full or write-protected and that the file isn’t being used.

This error is reported to occur mostly with Gmail accounts and it is assumed that some Gmail security options are causing it. Besides that, Outlook bugs and issues with the Simplified Account Creation feature are other reasons for the same error.

Now, if you are facing the same error, follow the fixes we have discussed below.

We could not create the Outlook data file

If you get the “We could not create the Outlook data file” error while adding an email account to Outlook on Windows, use the below methods to fix it:

1. Initial checklist.
2. Add a new account using the Manage Profiles option.
3. Add an account via the Control Panel.
4. Turn off simplified account creation using Registry.

1] Initial checklist

Before you try advanced fixes, perform some preliminary checks as discussed below:

• As the error message indicates, the error could be caused if your disk is write-protected. So, if the scenario is applicable, remove write protection on your hard disk and then add a new account to Outlook.
• The next thing you can do is ensure your disk space is not full. So, clear the disk space and then check if the error is fixed.
• If this error occurs while adding a Gmail account, check your Gmail account security options and ensure that the IMAP and two-step verification options are enabled.

2] Add a new account using the Manage Profiles option

This error is most likely to be triggered due to a bug in the Outlook app which is not letting you add a new account using the Add Account option. So, in that case, you can use the Manage Profiles option to add an account in Outlook. Here are the steps to do that:

First, open the Outlook app and click on the File menu.

Now, from the Info tab, click on the Account Settings drop-down menu button and choose the Manage Profiles option.

After that. click on the Email Accounts button and then press the New button.

In the newly appeared Add Account prompt, enter your name, email address, and password and press the Next button. Then, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

You should now be able to access your newly added account in MS Outlook.

Read: Fix NEED PASSWORD error message in Outlook.

3] Add an account via the Control Panel

There is another method to add a new account to Outlook which is via Control Panel. Here’s how:

First, open Run using Win+R and enter “control panel” in its Open box to quickly open the Control Panel.

Now, click on the Mail (Microsoft Outlook) option.

After that, press the Email Accounts button, click on the New button, and then follow the same instructions as discussed in fix #2 to add a new account.

See: Outlook Out of memory or system resources error.

4] Turn off Simplified account creation using Registry

If this error occurs while using the Connect Outlook to Office 365 wizard, known as Simplified Account Creation, try disabling this feature to fix this error. Doing so will force Outlook to use the traditional account dialog box to add new accounts. See if this helps you.

Here’s how:

First, close Outlook and make sure it is not running in the background using Task Manager.

Next, press Win+R to evoke the Run command box and enter regedit in it to open the Registry Editor app.

Now, move to the following address:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\setup

Next, right-click on the empty space in the right-side panel and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option from the context menu.

After that, name the newly generated DWORD DisableOffice365SimplifiedAccountCreation.

Then, double-click on this DWORD, enter 1 in its Value data box, and press the OK button to save changes.

Finally, exit Registry Editor and reopen Outlook to check if you can add a new account.

Read: Fix 0x8004011c Outlook error when trying to set up email account.

I hope this post helps you fix the error.

How do I fix The file in not an Outlook data file?

To fix the “The file is not an Outlook data file” error, make sure the target PST file is not set to read-only. If so, right-click on the PST file in File Explorer, choose Properties, and uncheck the Read-only box. Other than that, you can also move the PST file to a different location and repair the PST file to fix the error.

What to do when Outlook data file Cannot be accessed?

If you get the Outlook data file cannot be accessed error, it could be caused due to a corrupted Outlook profile. So, try creating a new Outlook profile and see if the error is fixed. Besides that, you can also change the message delivery location to a temporary folder and then change it back to the original folder.

Now read: Outlook The file username ost is in use and cannot be accessed.