Knowledge Base

Read-Write access required to open .PST and PAB files

Article ID: 178756

Article Last Modified on 8/18/2005

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Exchange Client 5.5
Microsoft Exchange Client 5.0
Microsoft Exchange Client 4.0
Microsoft Exchange Client 5.0
Microsoft Outlook 97 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Outlook 97 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Outlook 97 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Outlook 97 Standard Edition
Microsoft Outlook, Exchange Server Edition

This article was previously published under Q178756

SYMPTOMS

In the Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Outlook clients, it is not possible to open a read-only Personal Folder (.PST) or Personal Address Book (PAB) file.

You may receive the following error message if you attempt to open a read- only .PST file:

Unable to display the folder. File access is denied. You do not have the
permission required to access the file C:\Outlook\outlook.pst

You may receive the following error message if you attempt to access a read- only Personal Address Book (PAB) file:

Your personal address book could not be opened. The file is either not
accessible or is not a personal address book. Choose Retry to use your
personal address book, or choose Cancel to not use your personal address
book with this application.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design. Because of the way that the Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Outlook clients access these files, .PST and PAB files must be opened for read/write access in order to function properly.

WORKAROUND

If possible, remove the read-only attribute of the file prior to opening it. If the file is located on a shared network drive or on a CD-ROM drive, copy the file to your local hard drive and verify that the read-only attribute is not set.

MORE INFORMATION

.PST files are not supported on network drives.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

297019 Personal folder files are unsupported over a LAN or over a WAN link

This behavior usually occurs when a user attempts to access a .PST or PAB file located on a shared read-only drive or a file located on a CD-ROM drive.

Additional query words: read only properties OL97 OL98 OL2000

Keywords: kbbug KB178756

Microsoft KB Archive/178756

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