(Solved) “Outlook could not create the work file” When I start Outlook

Do you know, how much time it takes to resolve the “MS Outlook could not create the work file” error? Well, only 15 minutes. Yes, you have heard it right. It takes only 15-20 minutes to fix this up. However, to rectify this pop-up correctly, you first have to understand why this occurs and the steps of resolution.

Reasons Outlook Show This Error

There are situations when you launch your MS Outlook and it shows an error “Outlook could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable.”

This error pops up primarily when you open Outlook and since it’s an MS Outlook error, there can be many reasons for its occurrence:

1. Presence of unnecessary temporary files in your system
2. U3 and other jump-drive software
3. An incorrect data value of Cache variable for User Shell Folders
4. Switching or upgrading Windows from an old system to a new one.

Method 1: Delete All The Temp/%Temp% Folder

1. Click on ‘Start’ button and type ‘Run’
2. Now type ‘temp’ and hit ‘Enter’
3. Now your system will open a folder containing all your temporary files. So select all and press ‘shift+delete’ to completely delete the files
4. Follow the same procedure to delete “%Temp%” folder

Method 2: Creating a backup of REG file

Follow the below steps to create a backup of REG file before doing any types of modification in the Registry Key stored in your Registry Editor

1. Click on ‘Start’ button and type ‘Run’
2. Now type ‘regedit’ and hit ‘Enter’
3. In the Registry Editor, go to ‘File’ and then click ‘Export’ as shown below
   

   

4. Mention a name for your file with .reg extension
5. Now in the ‘Export Range’ select ‘All’ and click ‘Save’
   

   

6. Now locate and click the following subkey:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
7. Now click ‘Modify’ after right-clicking the Cache Key
8. And to exit ‘Registry’ editor, click on ‘Exit’ in the file menu

Note: The Cache string value varies from versions to versions.

Windows XP
DWORD: Cache
Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Data: %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet File

Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista
DWORD: Cache
Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Data: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

Windows 10, or Windows 8.1
DWORD: Cache
Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Data: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache

Author Words

However, if the above-mentioned methods don’t work and your Outlook still shows the same error “Outlook could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable” then the only way to fix it by using Outlook PST Repair.

This is one of the best online application to resolve and fix any types of Outlook errors. It allows to solve Outlook 0x80004001 error. The software not only resolve minor error but it can also fix errors related to data corruption and damage. So a one-stop-shop for Outlook users facing errors of any types.

Even being a reliable software, I always suggest my readers go for manual procedures first and then go for any tool. But always keep a backup of your emails and data before you start repairing or fixing the errors.

See no one wants to lose their crucial data for a wrong step. So hope, now you know how to resolve this issue for free. To know more such tips and tricks keep following this blog.

About The Author:

Lovely Baghel

Lovely specializes in technical writing for SysInfoTools Software and has over 2 year of experience writing blogs, and articles about databases & backup, email recovery, email migration & management solutions. Her passion is researching and developing content that helps Office users, professionals, administrators, enterprises, and novices solve multiple problems.