How to Fix the Issue Outlook Data Files Usage is Disabled on this Computer

User Query: ”I have been using Microsoft Outlook version 2016 for a very long time. One fine day I got an error message popup stating Outlook Data Files Usage is Disabled on this computer. This is happening repeatedly and I can’t solve this issue. Please suggest to me the required solution to get rid of this error message.”

Summary:- MS Outlook sometimes throws an error message Outlook data files(.pst) are disabled on this computer. Generally, users try disabling the ‘‘Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File’ option. But the risk of losing data may come in between. So here we will explain the easy procedure to do it manually in Outlook settings or Outlook registry. For a simpler and easier approach, use the PST File Recovery Tool to try recovering PST files and get rid of this Outlook issue. But before that let’s discuss what this error is.

Download Buy Now

Immediate fix: If you want to solve this Outlook error without any delay then you can fix it by using the Outlook PST Repair Tool. This utility fixes the Outlook issue within no time and allows you to add new PST files to your Outlook application.

Know Outlook Error Outlook Data Files usage is Disabled

This issue can be occur in MS Outlook 2010, 2013, or 2016. This error prevents the user from adding new pst files or new data pst files to Outlook. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about this issue. It can be easily solved by disabling ‘Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File’ option’. The manual tricks to do so have been explained below.

How to Fix this Outlook Issue?

We will explain the methods to fix Outlook issue.

Method 1: Manual Method

As I discussed earlier that you can disable option ‘Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File’ in the Outlook settings to solve this Outlook error. For doing so correctly follow the below mentioned steps.

  1. Firstly, download and install Office Administrative Template through MS download center as per your MS Outlook version.
  2. Open ‘Policy Management Support’ and choose the GPO that you can request in custom settings.
  3. Next, right-click on Default Domain Policy and select ‘Edit’ option.
  4. Here open the Outlook Settings and move to Outlook options. From there select ‘Other’ and hit Auto Archive option.  Now Enable the disable data file and disable the Auto-Archive settings.
  5. Now initiate your Outlook application and open PST settings.
  6. From the PST settings disable option “Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File or Prevent using sharing Exclusive PST’s”.
  7. Successfully Run gpupdate to immediately apply the GPO and log in.

Now you can try to export or import the new pst data files and surely you will not receive Outlook data files usage error.

Method 2: Using Outlook Registries

Sometimes it happens that if you incorrectly change the Outlook registries then also you may face this Outlook error which doesn’t allow you to add new PST files or data in the existing PST file and I would recommend to take a backup of the outlook registries if you want to do any changes to your Outlook registries.

Know: How to Connect Microsoft Outlook 2003 to Exchange Server?

Points to remember:

  1. Properly Enable/Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File.
  2. Correctly Enable/Prevent User from Adding a New PST File.

Method 3: Fix Outlook Data Files Usage is Disabled on this Computer Error Using Automatically

If you are unable to use the manual methods or finds them a little bit tricky then you can go for the automated Outlook error fix approach. SysInfo Outlook PST Repair utility can easily fix this Outlook issue without any data alteration. It also helps to Repair Data from Outlook bak File. Using manual method may have the risk of losing data but this tool is totally safe & secure.

Final Verdict

In this page, I have explained three easy ways to fix the Outlook Data files Usage is Disabled on this computer error. You can go for any of them and resolve this error with ease. Till then keep reading.

5/5 - (1 vote)

About The Author:

Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms.

Related Post