The specified default store cannot be opened verify you can access your default store and try again

by Matthew Adams

Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things... read more

Updated on March 9, 2022

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Some users have posted on Microsoft’s forum about the information store could be opened error that arises when they try to launch Outlook.

There are a few variations of that error message for the different Outlook versions. For Outlook 2019 and ‘16 users, the full error message states:

Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. The set of folders cannot be opened. The information store could not be opened.

Here are some more related issues reported by our readers. Make sure you go through the list and see if any of these cases apply to you.

Where and when does this error occur?

• Outlook 365/Office 365 The information store cannot be opened
• The specified default store cannot be opened
• The information store could not be opened Exchange 2016/2013
• The information store could not be opened Outlook 2016/2019/2013/2007
• Cannot start Microsoft Outlook (A clear indicator of this error is when Outlook simply refuses to open).
• The information store could not be opened iCloud
• The set of folders cannot be opened

As a result, users can’t open Outlook. There are, however, numerous potential fixes for the information store cannot be opened error. Check out some of the resolutions below to fix the information store issue.

How can I fix the Information Store Error?

1. Open Outlook in Safe Mode

First, try opening Outlook in Safe Mode. Press the Windows key + R hotkey. Then enter ‘Outlook /safe’ in the Open box and click OK.

2. Deselect the Compatibility Mode Option

1. Deselecting the compatibility mode option for Outlook might fix the information store cannot be opened issue. Open Outlook’s folder in File Explorer.
2. Right-click the Outlook.exe to select Properties.
3. Select the Compatibility tab.
   
4. Deselect the Run this program in compatibility mode check box.
5. Click Apply and OK.

3. Fix the Navigation Pane File

The information store error can be due to corrupted navigation pane settings. To fix that, press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut. Then enter outlook.exe /resetnavpane in Run’s Open text box, and press the OK button.

4. Fix Outlook’s PST File

1. Some users might need to fix corrupted Outlook data files. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut.
2. Open the Outlook folder in File Explorer. The default folder path for Outlook 2019 and ‘16 is: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16.
3. Click SCANPST.EXE to open the Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool shown directly below.
   
4. Click Browse to select an Outlook PST file.
5. Press Start to scan.
6. Then users can select a Repair option if the scan detects errors.

5. Remove Lync From the System Startup

1. Some users have said that quitting Lync, which was running when they launched Outlook, fixed the information store error. Thus, Lync is a conflicting program that users can remove from the system startup by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Task Manager.
2. Select the Start-up tab.
   
3. Select Lync and click Disable.
4. Restart Windows after removing Lync from the startup, and launch Outlook again.

6. Clean Boot Windows

1. To ensure there aren’t any other conflicting programs, clean boot Windows. To do that, enter ‘msconfig’ in Run and click OK.
2. Click Selective Startup to select the Load system services and Use original boot configuration options on the General tab. Uncheck the Load startup items option.
   
3. On the Services tab, select the Hide all Microsoft services option; and click the Disable all button.
   
4. Click the Apply button.
5. Press the OK button, and select the Restart option.

Those resolutions will probably fix the information store cannot be opened error for lots of users. Outlook users can also check out the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant utility, which might also fix the information store error.

1. Download this PC Repair Tool rated Great on TrustPilot.com (download starts on this page).
2. Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to fix issues with Patented Technologies (Exclusive Discount for our readers).

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