Outlook 2007 / Data file was not closed properly

[R E A]

Using Outlook 2007 in Cached Mode, I receive this error every time I startup
Outlook.

"The data file was not closed properly. This file is being checked for
problems."

Suggestions for avoiding this error?

 

[Leon Hao [MSFT]]

Hi,

If I understood properly, your issue is: every time you start Outlook, you
receive an error message.

If it is true, then this may caused by various reasons. Try the following
suggestions to narrow down this issue:

* Suggestion 1: Temporarily disable all anti-virus software and firewall
=============

This issue may be related to some types of firewalls or anti-virus
programs.

Therefore, please temporarily disable all the firewalls and Anti-Virus
programs to see if it is helpful in resolving this problem.

* Suggestion 2: Start Outlook in Safe Mode
=============

Outlook Safe Mode can narrow down issues which are caused by any
extensions, corrupted resources, files, registries, or templates.

1. Click Start | Run.
2. In the Open box, type: "Outlook /safe" (without the quotation marks)
Notes: There is a space character between Outlook and the forward slash (/).
3. Click OK.

* Suggestion 3: Create a new profile
==============

Many times this issue can be caused by a corrupted Outlook profile. I
suggest that we create a new Outlook profile. A new profile is a new
environment for us to use Outlook. To create a new profile is only for a
test to see if the problem is related to the corrupt profile of Outlook.
Creating a new profile will not do any damage to the old profile. Please
refer to the following article to create a new profile in Outlook.

829918 How to create a new e-mail profile in Outlook 2007 and in Outlook
2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;829918

If all fail, please help me collect more information for further research
and test:

* Information Collection
=================

1. What is the version of your Windows? Have you applied all the latest
updates?
2. Please provide the exact error message with any screenshot and send it
to me. You can attach it directly to this newsgroup or send it to
<[email protected]>
** To take a screenshot
---------------------
1. When this error message appears, press PrScrn key on your keyboard.
2. Type "mspaint" (without the quotation marks) in Start>Run box and click
OK.
3. Click Edit>Paste to paste the screenshot.
4. Save it as JPEG file type and send it as Email attachment.
---------------------

Please take some time to try my suggestions and collect information for me.


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[R E A]

I start Outlook /safe and do not experience the problem.

* Suggestion 2: Start Outlook in Safe Mode

I have recreated the Profile and that did not resolve the issue.

* Suggestion 3: Create a new profile

The exact message is: "The data file was not closed properly. This file is
being checked for problems."

 

[Clive G]

i have the identical problem ... i'll watch with interest

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Just tell Leon that Outlook 2007 does this all the time. Outlook 2007 is
still full of bugs, one of which is that it takes so long to disconnect from
its data source that most users will exit their OS before it does, thus
creating this error message. Maybe he can get something done about this. No
one else can.

 

[Leon Hao [MSFT]]

Hi,

It seems this does not occur with Outlook /safe. Please try the following
steps to resolve this issue:

* Step 1: Disable Outlook add-ins
================

1. Select Tools>Options>Other>Advanced Options>Add-In Manager and then
clear all the checkboxes.
2. Add one check back each time to the list of Add-In, restart Outlook,
and repeat the above procedure. Once the issue reappears again, we can
determine which add-in causes this problem and then disable it.

* Step 2: Disable Instant Messaging
=================

1. Start Outlook. Click Tools>Options.
2. On the Other tab, uncheck "Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft
Outlook". Click OK to save the settings.
3. Restart Outlook.

* Step 3: Disable Word Editor:
=================

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click Mail Format.
2. Click to clear the "Use Microsoft Word to edit e-mail messages" check
box.

Meanwhile, for the scenario Russ has reported, I have already forwarded it
to our related team, and I am sure they will take a look at this.


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[R E A]

I will try disable the Add-ins and see if one of them is causing an issue.

However, I'm having trouble with the instructions you provided in #2 and #3.
I think those are Outlook 2003 options and not available in Outlook 2007.

I do not see an Instant Messaging option (and I don't think it is enabled
because Messenger does not start automatically when I launch Outlook 2007.

I would love to disable Word as my editor but I don't think that's an option
in Outlook 2007.

 

[Leon Hao [MSFT]]

Hi,

Sorry for the confusion of your Outlook version. Please ignore step 2 in my
previous response and just try step 1.

Ofcource it is not a good idea to not use Word 2007 as Outlook 2007 e-mail
editor, but this is just a troubleshoot steps that can help us narrow down
the issue and find the root cause more efficiently.

Thanks for your time on this issue!


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[R E A]

After starting Outlook one time with /safe (safemode), this problem has
occurred only once or twice, so that is a big improvement.

Perhaps starting it once in /safe mode allowed Outlook to correct the
problem with the .ost data file.

I'm not going to pursue this further unless I see the issue start to happen
frequently again. Thanks.

 

[Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook]]

You cannot not use WordMail in Outlook 2007, there is no other option.
WordMail now uses a stub DLL for WordMail and does not subclass word.exe.
There is no Outlook email editor in Outlook 2007 at all.

 

[Leon Hao [MSFT]]

Hi,

Glad to hear that we have made some prograss in this issue.

If the problem recurs or you need further assistance on it, please feel
free to get back to me.

Have a nice day!


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Kris Zhou]

This problem might be caused by Windows Desktop Search.
WDS sometimes runs even after user has exit outlook.

If you are using XP/Server 2003, upgrading to WDS 3.01 is suggested.

This solution works for me, although it still occurs occasionally.

 

[Bumblin]

Hi

I am running Outlook 2007 in Windows Vista. I have tried the various
remedies within this thread to no avail. The new profile I have created
doesn't have the data file error - but then there is very little in it!

I have also run the scanpst.exe prgram which comes with Outlook (as
recommended in the Outlook help section of this website). This seems to fix
the issue for a short time (eg one close and re-open) but then I am back to
the same error.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

"Very little in it?" Why? Did you not migrate your data to the new profile?

 

[Bumblin]

Hi - thanks for your fast response. Probably because the suggestion didn't
say to do that and the link didn't explain how to do it - I thought the
suggestion was just testing whether a new profile would work or not.

What do I need to do?

Thanks

"Very little in it?" Why? Did you not migrate your data to the new profile?

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hi

I am running Outlook 2007 in Windows Vista. I have tried the various
remedies within this thread to no avail. The new profile I have created
doesn't have the data file error - but then there is very little in it!

I have also run the scanpst.exe prgram which comes with Outlook (as
recommended in the Outlook help section of this website). This seems to
fix
the issue for a short time (eg one close and re-open) but then I am back
to
the same error.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Just open your previous data file in the new profile and set it to be your
default.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hi - thanks for your fast response. Probably because the suggestion
didn't
say to do that and the link didn't explain how to do it - I thought the
suggestion was just testing whether a new profile would work or not.

What do I need to do?

Thanks

"Very little in it?" Why? Did you not migrate your data to the new
profile?

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hi

I am running Outlook 2007 in Windows Vista. I have tried the various
remedies within this thread to no avail. The new profile I have
created
doesn't have the data file error - but then there is very little in it!

I have also run the scanpst.exe prgram which comes with Outlook (as
recommended in the Outlook help section of this website). This seems
to
fix
the issue for a short time (eg one close and re-open) but then I am
back
to
the same error.

:

Hi,

It seems this does not occur with Outlook /safe. Please try the
following
steps to resolve this issue:

* Step 1: Disable Outlook add-ins
================

1. Select Tools>Options>Other>Advanced Options>Add-In Manager and then
clear all the checkboxes.
2. Add one check back each time to the list of Add-In, restart
Outlook,
and repeat the above procedure. Once the issue reappears again, we can
determine which add-in causes this problem and then disable it.

* Step 2: Disable Instant Messaging
=================

1. Start Outlook. Click Tools>Options.
2. On the Other tab, uncheck "Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft
Outlook". Click OK to save the settings.
3. Restart Outlook.

* Step 3: Disable Word Editor:
=================

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click Mail Format.
2. Click to clear the "Use Microsoft Word to edit e-mail messages"
check
box.

Meanwhile, for the scenario Russ has reported, I have already
forwarded
it
to our related team, and I am sure they will take a look at this.


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader
so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.

 

[Bumblin]

Thanks - same error appears

Just open your previous data file in the new profile and set it to be your
default.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hi - thanks for your fast response. Probably because the suggestion
didn't
say to do that and the link didn't explain how to do it - I thought the
suggestion was just testing whether a new profile would work or not.

What do I need to do?

Thanks

"Very little in it?" Why? Did you not migrate your data to the new
profile?

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I am running Outlook 2007 in Windows Vista. I have tried the various
remedies within this thread to no avail. The new profile I have
created
doesn't have the data file error - but then there is very little in it!

I have also run the scanpst.exe prgram which comes with Outlook (as
recommended in the Outlook help section of this website). This seems
to
fix
the issue for a short time (eg one close and re-open) but then I am
back
to
the same error.

:

Hi,

It seems this does not occur with Outlook /safe. Please try the
following
steps to resolve this issue:

* Step 1: Disable Outlook add-ins
================

1. Select Tools>Options>Other>Advanced Options>Add-In Manager and then
clear all the checkboxes.
2. Add one check back each time to the list of Add-In, restart
Outlook,
and repeat the above procedure. Once the issue reappears again, we can
determine which add-in causes this problem and then disable it.

* Step 2: Disable Instant Messaging
=================

1. Start Outlook. Click Tools>Options.
2. On the Other tab, uncheck "Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft
Outlook". Click OK to save the settings.
3. Restart Outlook.

* Step 3: Disable Word Editor:
=================

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click Mail Format.
2. Click to clear the "Use Microsoft Word to edit e-mail messages"
check
box.

Meanwhile, for the scenario Russ has reported, I have already
forwarded
it
to our related team, and I am sure they will take a look at this.


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader
so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Just live with it then. It's harmless. Usually goes away probably after
indexing is complete.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks - same error appears

Just open your previous data file in the new profile and set it to be
your
default.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hi - thanks for your fast response. Probably because the suggestion
didn't
say to do that and the link didn't explain how to do it - I thought the
suggestion was just testing whether a new profile would work or not.

What do I need to do?

Thanks

:

"Very little in it?" Why? Did you not migrate your data to the new
profile?

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I am running Outlook 2007 in Windows Vista. I have tried the
various
remedies within this thread to no avail. The new profile I have
created
doesn't have the data file error - but then there is very little in
it!

I have also run the scanpst.exe prgram which comes with Outlook (as
recommended in the Outlook help section of this website). This
seems
to
fix
the issue for a short time (eg one close and re-open) but then I am
back
to
the same error.

:

Hi,

It seems this does not occur with Outlook /safe. Please try the
following
steps to resolve this issue:

* Step 1: Disable Outlook add-ins
================

1. Select Tools>Options>Other>Advanced Options>Add-In Manager and
then
clear all the checkboxes.
2. Add one check back each time to the list of Add-In, restart
Outlook,
and repeat the above procedure. Once the issue reappears again, we
can
determine which add-in causes this problem and then disable it.

* Step 2: Disable Instant Messaging
=================

1. Start Outlook. Click Tools>Options.
2. On the Other tab, uncheck "Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft
Outlook". Click OK to save the settings.
3. Restart Outlook.

* Step 3: Disable Word Editor:
=================

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click Mail Format.
2. Click to clear the "Use Microsoft Word to edit e-mail messages"
check
box.

Meanwhile, for the scenario Russ has reported, I have already
forwarded
it
to our related team, and I am sure they will take a look at this.


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your
newsreader
so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
====================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.

 

[gastwirt]

Here's a solution that worked for me that I posed elsewhere:

I was having the same problem. It appeared that none of my add-ins
were active yet when I checked HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft
\Office\Outlook\Addins the load value was either 2 or 3, I can't
remember. I changed all of these to "0" and haven't had the problem
since - Outlook 2007 flies and no error messages.

 

[DAH London]

Hi
I have the same issue with Outlook 2007 but it is running in Windows Vista
and after clicking "Start" there is no "Run" option so how do i start Outlook
in safe mode please?
David Hawley