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

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  • Published on
    August 9th, 2019
  • Updated on
    February 24, 2021
  • Read Time
    4 minutes

“I am using Microsoft Outlook version 2016 from a very long time. One fine day I got an error message popup on my Window screen stating Outlook Data Files Usage is Disabled on this computer. I don’t know why this issue is occurring again and again. I am unable to solve this issue. Please suggest me required solution to get rid of this error message. Thanks in advance.”

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In the above scenario, it is clearly mentioned that the MS Outlook sometimes throws an error message Outlook data files(.pst) is disabled on this computer. Generally, the user tries to solve this issue by its own by disabling ‘‘Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File’ option. But half knowledge or the fear of losing data may come in between. So in this section, I am going to explain the easy procedure for how to do it manually in Outlook settings or Outlook registry. These methods don’t need you to be a tech-savvy person. These are the simplest and the easiest approaches to get rid of this Outlook issue. But before that let’s discuss what’s this error actually is.

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?

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.

  • Firstly, download and install  Office Administrative Template through MS download center as per your MS Outlook version.
  • Open ‘Policy Management Support’ and choose the GPO that you can request in custom settings.
  • Next, right-click on Default Domain Policy and select ‘Edit’ option.
  • 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.
  • Now initiate your Outlook application and open PST settings.
  • From the PST settings disable option “Prevent User from Adding New Data to Existing PST File or Prevent using sharing Exclusive PST’s”.
  • 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.

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 Automated Method

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. 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.

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

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