Solved: the Information Store Cannot Be Opened Outlook Error

When you try to launch Outlook, an information store cannot be opened error may arise. The error message has several variations in different Outlook versions. The complete error message for Outlook 2019 and ’16 users is as follows: 

Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. The set of folders cannot be opened. The information store could not be opened. 

After this error, you cannot open Outlook. However, there are many potential fixes for the information store cannot be opened Outlook error. Check out the following solutions to fix the information store error.

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Method 1: Start Outlook in Safe Mode

The first way you can try is to open Outlook in Safe Mode. 

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R hotkey at the same time to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Next, type Outlook /safe and click OK.

Step 3: A Choose Profile window will pop up. Click OK to continue. 

Wait for the process to complete, check if the information store cannot be opened Outlook error disappears.

Method 2: Uncheck the Compatibility Mode Option for Outlook

The second method you can try is to switch off the compatibility mode for Outlook. Here is a quick guide. 

Step 1: Navigate straight to Local Disk: C > Program Files > Microsoft Office > Office XX.

Step 2: Find the “Outlook.exe” file, right-click it to choose Properties and navigate to the Compatibility tab.

Step 3: Uncheck Run this program in compatibility mode for: under the Compatibility mode section.

Step 4: Click Apply and OK.

Now you have successfully turned off the compatibility mode. Check if the information store cannot be opened Outlook error still exists.

Method 3: Reset Navigation Pane

The information store cannot be opened Outlook error may be caused by corrupted navigation pane settings. Thus, you can try to reset the navigation pane to solve this issue.

Step 1: Close all applications related to Outlook.

Step 2: Press the Windows key + R hotkey at the same time to open the Run dialog box.

Step 3: Next, type outlook.exe /resetnavpane and click OK. 

After running this command, Outlook should open normally. Check if the information store cannot be opened error is solved.

Method 4: Repair Outlook’s PST File

You might need to fix corrupted Outlook data files to solve this issue.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + E key to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Open the Outlook folder in File Explorer. The default folder path for Outlook 2019 and ‘16 is: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16.

Step 3: Click SCANPST.EXE to open the Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool window.

Step 4: Click Browse to choose an Outlook PST file, click Start to scan.

Then you can select a Repair option if the scan detects errors.

Method 5: Remove Lync from the System Startup

Quitting Lync which was running when you launched Outlook may fix the information store error.

Step 1: Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.

Step 2: Switch to the Startup tab, select Lync and click the Disable button in the lower right corner.

Step 3: Restart your PC, and launch Outlook again to see if the information store cannot be opened Outlook error is solved.

Method 6: Clean Boot Windows

To make sure there are no other conflicting programs, you can clean boot Windows.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R hotkey at the same time to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Next, type msconfig and click OK.

Step 3: In the General tab, check Selective startup to select Load system services and Use original boot configuration. Uncheck the Load startup items option.

Step 4: Switch to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services and click the Disable all button.

Step 5: Click Apply and OK.

Step 6: Select the Restart option.

After you finish the steps above, the information store cannot be opened Outlook error should be solved.

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Bottom Line

After reading this post, you should clearly know how to fix the information store cannot be opened Outlook error. If you encounter the same error, try the methods mentioned above.