[DoctorBen]

About a year ago I had to upgrade from Office 2003 to Office 365. While I do not like the “improvements”, I was living with it. Now Outlook 365 has taken a nasty turn.

I have 3 Gmail accounts that were all coming through to Outlook…until about 10 days ago. Outlook stopped working for 2 of the accounts. Since then, nothing I can do has changed that situation.

In multiple tries:

I have tried to connect via IMAP, POP, Microsoft 365, Google, etc.

I have erased all .pst and/or .ost files from my computer, my network, external drives, etc.

I have followed many instructions online that claimed to “fix” Outlook.

I, grudgingly, updated to Windows 10 on the assumption that Outlook 365 had lost some “critical” support. As suspected that caused additional problems and did not change the Outlook problem.

All I ever get is “Something went wrong. We couldn’t 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.”

SEE SNAP3911 - Attached.

What I find interesting is that every time I try to set Outlook up, it creates at least one “.ost” Outlook data file and every time I start Outlook at least one “.ost” Outlook data file is created (that will not go away).

At least one of the posts claimed I should get a screen asking for my password.

SEE SNAP3910 - Attached

The only time anything asked for my password was when I tried to use “POP” but I still got the “Something went wrong” screen.

I’ve never seen this screen.

After I was working in another app (not in Office) yesterday, I found that Outlook had sent all my email to trash. I spent the better part of an hour moving then sorting what to keep.

I think I now have two options. Get the real answer here or try something like the Mozilla mail client Thunderbird.

Thank you.

 

[WndrWmn]

For Gmail there is a setting in the security settings That allows other less secure apps or programs to access email accounts. Take a look at this and see if it helps you.

Enable Gmail Access for Applications that Don't Meet Google's Security

How to enable access for non-Google appliations to access Gmail accounts.

www.poweradmin.com

 

[DoctorBen]

For Gmail there is a setting in the security settings That allows other less secure apps or programs to access email accounts. Take a look at this and see if it helps you.

Enable Gmail Access for Applications that Don't Meet Google's Security

How to enable access for non-Google appliations to access Gmail accounts.

www.poweradmin.com

No where in any of my Gmail accounts is there a "Security Settings" or anywhere where I can make adjustments for "Less secure app access". I do remember this from Outlook 2003.

 

[WndrWmn]

Hello,

I just realize there was a little bit of confusion in the instructions. The particular setting I was referring to is not located in the Gmail settings as they originally described on the article I posted. You have to go into your Google profile that is the administrator level Account for Google. What I mean is if there was an originating google account and then you subsequently created other Gmail accounts you need to go into that originating Google profile and then there will be security settings in that profile that covers a variety of Google apps that are associated with the main Google account not just the Gmail account. Here is a picture of what mine looks like. You will see on the left side that there is an item for security. The picture I am showing you is what is available in that security setting.

 

[WndrWmn]

This may also help:

Sign in to your Admin console - Google Workspace Admin Help

This article is for people who manage Google services or devices for a company, school, or group. If you're using a personal (@gmail.com) account, go to the Google Account Help Center.

support.google.com

 

[DoctorBen]

Hello,

I just realize there was a little bit of confusion in the instructions. The particular setting I was referring to is not located in the Gmail settings as they originally described on the article I posted. You have to go into your Google profile that is the administrator level Account for Google. What I mean is if there was an originating google account and then you subsequently created other Gmail accounts you need to go into that originating Google profile and then there will be security settings in that profile that covers a variety of Google apps that are associated with the main Google account not just the Gmail account. Here is a picture of what mine looks like. You will see on the left side that there is an item for security. The picture I am showing you is what is available in that security setting.

View attachment 335649

 

[DoctorBen]

Note: "less secure apps " setting has not been in use for some time.

It has been some years but I think one of the accounts that Outlook will not access is the first account I set up.

Comparing the 3 accounts, the only thing that appears to be different between the 2 Outlook will not connect to and the one that is OK is that those two have 2-step versification turned on and the one good does not. Neither of them has tried to call me. (Note: If this is the problem, then Microsoft's phone number may be in a block list somewhere.)

I see no way to turn that off.

 

[spunk.funk]

The .ost file is an Offline Outlook Data file, it is created when you import an Email account to Outlook, as opposed to the .pst file which has all the settings for your online Email accounts. Introduction to Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost) - Microsoft Support

Can you open your browser and login to each Gmail account separately not using Outlook? Signing out from each one before going to the next one? You want to test this first to make sure all Gmail accounts are working correctly before importing them to Outlook.

 

[DoctorBen]

The .ost file is an Offline Outlook Data file, it is created when you import an Email account to Outlook, as opposed to the .pst file which has all the settings for your online Email accounts. Introduction to Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost) - Microsoft Support

Can you open your browser and login to each Gmail account separately not using Outlook? Signing out from each one before going to the next one? You want to test this first to make sure all Gmail accounts are working correctly before importing them to Outlook.

Thank you.

Over the last 10 or so days, I have logged-in to each of the 3 accounts in probably every order variation there is.

Note: I just turned 2-step verifiction off in one of the accounts and Outlook still did not connect.

Also, every time I start Outlook now, at least 3 .ost files are created. More if I try to set a new connection.

 

[spunk.funk]

That is correct. Offline storage .ost file is created for each account you create in Outlook.
If you can login to each Gmail account online in your browser, then there is no problem with the Gmail account, if not, then there is an issue with the Gmail account and it will never load into Outlook. As a side note, if you can't load the account into Outlook, but can access it online in your browser then that account is still accessible, you may have to access that account in your browser rather then Outlook for now.

 

[DoctorBen]

That is correct. Offline storage .ost file is created for each account you create in Outlook.
If you can login to each Gmail account online in your browser, then there is no problem with the Gmail account, if not, then there is an issue with the Gmail account and it will never load into Outlook. As a side note, if you can't load the account into Outlook, but can access it online in your browser then that account is still accessible, you may have to access that account in your browser rather then Outlook for now.

Based on all of my failed tries, I agree. The is nothing wrong with Gmail. The problem is with Outlook. The only option with Outlook would be to access the accounts with my browser which begs the question: Why do I need Outlook?

Looks like tomorrow I will look at replacing Outlook with Thunderbird.

Thank you for your attention.

 

[spunk.funk]

Why do I need Outlook?

News flash, you don't need Outlook or Thunderbird. Just access your Gmail accounts in your browser like just about everyone else does.

 

[DoctorBen]

News flash, you don't need Outlook or Thunderbird. Just access your Gmail accounts in your browser like just about everyone else does.

Thank you, but I am aware of that. There are reasons I prefer having something like Outlook or Thunderbird.

 

[DoctorBen]

Based on all of my failed tries, I agree. The is nothing wrong with Gmail. The problem is with Outlook. The only option with Outlook would be to access the accounts with my browser which begs the question: Why do I need Outlook?

Looks like tomorrow I will look at replacing Outlook with Thunderbird.

Thank you for your attention.

Where are the .pst and .ost files supposed to be stored?

Outlook has my main Gmail account in C:\Users\(me)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

I have tried the .pst files there, in C:\Documents\Outlook Files, and
C:\Outlook.

 

[spunk.funk]

C:\Users\(me)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook this is usually the Default location of the.pst file, but it can also be C:\Users\(me)\Outlook. You go to Search and type *.pst or *,ost to find all of these files on the computer.
Here is a way to manage your ,pst files.

How to manage .pst files in Microsoft Outlook - Outlook

Describes how to back up Outlook data. This includes how to back up, export, import personal folders (.pst) file data. Also describes how to back up Personal Address Books, Outlook Settings Files and data on an Exchange Server.

learn.microsoft.com

 

[DoctorBen]

I found all the .pst and .ost files. I've tried removing all the files associated with 2 (out of 3) accounts that will not connect. I've tried removing all instances of each (individually and together). This morning, I put the files in the 2 locations mentioned (Note: C:\Users\(me)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and C:\Users\(me)\AppData\Local\Outlook and C:\Documents\Outlook Files).

Outlook will NOT connect to either of the 2 accounts, by any of the methods offered by Outlook 365.

Thunderbird connected to all 3 accounts in something less than 5 seconds.

Everything worked until about 2+ weeks ago.

While I would prefer to have a working Outlook I will settle for Thunderbird if I can import my .pst files.

All I ever get is "Something went wrong". See attached.

Note: I am not addicted to a cell phone and prefer to get my email on my desktop,.where I work in my retirement.

Thank you for your suggestions and I am sorry to take up your time.

 

[spunk.funk]

Here are some pages for you to do more research.

Set up Office 365 email in Outlook and Import Gmail - Microsoft Support

support.microsoft.com

Email: What’s the Difference Between POP3, IMAP, and Exchange?

But it looks like you found a solution with Thunderbird.

 

[DoctorBen]

Here are some pages for you to do more research.

Set up Office 365 email in Outlook and Import Gmail - Microsoft Support

support.microsoft.com

Email: What’s the Difference Between POP3, IMAP, and Exchange?

But it looks like you found a solution with Thunderbird.

Thank you again but nothing here helped.

Thunderbird is downloading my mail, so yes it is a partial solution. I would like to transfer my Contacts/Address book, calendar, and other data to Thunderbird. Since I do have backups of my .pst and .ost files, I'm going to look into re-loading Outlook.

 

[spunk.funk]

Import your files from Outlook Import settings and data into Thunderbird | Thunderbird Help

 

[boredquality]

Heres a solution that worked for me

1) go to control panel and then mail
2) click show profiles
3) click add and insert the name of your profile
4) click ok and then dont enter your email. Just click cancel and ok to close the prompt msg
5) then down on the "Always use this profile" select your new profile instead of Outlook"
6) click apply and ok
7) now open outlook and add your account

P.S it seems that this will just let you use your new account but wont be able to add any older you used

Best wishes!
Mike