Repair Error Default Outlook OST File Cannot Be Opened

“I have an issue with my Outlook OST file; whenever I click on it to open, I get an error message that ‘default outlook profile.ost cannot be opened'. Yesterday night while I was working on Outlook OST file, my system suddenly got turned off due to the power outage. Maybe due to this reason my Outlook OST file is showing such error message. Is there any solution to resolve this problem? Please let me know if any"

Outlook OST file is quite popular these days and users utilize it in order to do their daily task. Unlike PST file, one need not work always by connecting to Server as it allows you to work offline and synchronize with Microsoft Exchange Server to update the changes. However, your work might get spoiled if the situation like above encounters.

However, you can try following DIY methods to eliminate default Outlook OST profile OST cannot be opened error message. But, before you try these techniques, kill all Outlook related processes like Communicator, Lync, ucmapi, outlook in Task Manager.

Default Outlook Profile OST Cannot Be Opened - Fixes


1. Start Outlook in Safe Mode

To open Outlook in Safe Mode, click on Outlook icon holding CTRL key, or type outlook /safe in the Run window and hit the OK button. Say Yes when asked for confirmation.


2. Turn off Compatibility Mode

  • From Start menu, search outlook.exe from Run window
  • Right-click on Outlook.exe, and choose Properties
  • Select Compatibility tab and disable Run this program in compatibility mode for
  • Click on OK button and launch Outlook

3. Recover Navigation Pane

  • Hit Windows + R buttons at a time
  • Type Outlook /resetnavpane (space is there between Outlook and /) and opt Enter

4. Repair OST File

  • Exit Outlook and reach Start menu
  • Type C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\LocaleID\scanost.exe in Run window
  • (LocaleID is the locale identifier (LCID) for your Microsoft Office installation)
  • Opt OK and choose Scan all folders
  • Select Repair errors and Begin Scan

If none of the above methods helps and you still facing error default Outlook profile.ost cannot be opened then you have one more option i.e. OST to PST Converter.

You might get confused thinking why it is necessary to convert OST to PST file if the file is corrupted. Well, it is natural to get such doubt. However, when OST file is corrupted, the converter tool will repair and at the same time convert it to PST, so that you can access information from it without any issue.

Yodot OST to PST Converter Software- Perfect Fix for Error Default Outlook Profile OST Cannot Be Opened:

Out of many existing converter software, Yodot OST to PST Converter is considered as the best software that will assist you in resolving default Outlook OST profile cannot be opened error. This OST to PST Converter software gives its best and converts healthy as well as corrupted Outlook OST file to PST file format. Since it is read-only software, it does not modify original content of OST file or any other data present in your Windows computer. One can convert orphaned OST file to PST file; it is also possible to convert oversized, encrypted as well as bad OST to PST file by using this excellent OST file converter tool. It will instantly convert OST file to PST and you need not wait for long time as it provides only 3-4 conversion steps. Also, one is presented with a Find option, so that they can search for OST file if they are not aware of its location. Moreover, you will be able to convert and repair OST file associated with Microsoft Exchange versions 5.0, 5.5, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016.

Steps to Fix Error Default Outlook Profile OST Cannot Be Open:

Step 1: Download Yodot OST to PST Converter software and install it on your Windows computer.

Step 2: Run the installed OST to PST converter and go with,

  • Open OST File - if the location of OST file is known
  • Find OST File - if the location of OST file is unknown

Step 3: Mention the location to save the converted OST file.

Step 4: Hit the Convert button to start OST to PST conversion process.

Useful Instructions:

  • It is recommended to backup Outlook OST file to utilize it when you come across any corruption situations
  • Never try any manual troubleshooting techniques if you don’t have proper knowledge about it

Other Popular Software

Yodot Outlook PST Repair

Fix corrupt PST or OST files created using different Microsoft Outlook versions. Read-only software to repair damaged PST files without changing source PST file and generates a new healthy PST file after the repair process.

Yodot File Recovery (Windows)

Undelete your most important files and folders deleted or lost from system hard drive or external storage drives on Windows OS. This easy to use application for Windows OS can recover wide range of files from all storage media.