Fix PST is being used by another application error

Ever since its introduction outlook has been the most widely used email application, its advanced & secure features have made it popular. Along with emails, contacts, calendar, tasks & notes could all be stored & managed in the personal folders PST. However, as it is said none of the application is completely safe, same applies to outlook. Time & again outlook experiences the error & its data file is rendered inaccessible in such situations. This prevents user from accessing outlook files and different error messages are shown in a situation like this.

In a instance like this, when outlook is started the following message may be received –

“.pst is in use by another application. Close Microsoft Exchange and all other mail-enabled applications & try again ”

The issue occurs irrespective of the fact that whether or not password protection has been implemented on the PST or it has access permission. Though the problem is found to take place occasionally, if PST is being used by another application error message takes place ever again, it surely is an indicative of complex troubles being experienced & the file may become inaccessible if the error continues this way.

The issue is found to take place on account of the fact that the file is being accessed by backup program. For large sized PST, more time is required to backup & this is why such files experience the issue comparatively more as the backup process continues to take place, while the user tries to open it.

 

How to fix ‘pst is in use by another application' error?

In some of the cases, the error could merely be resolved if the file is accessed, post the backup process is completed. Other than that, the backup process could be stopped in between, if one needs to access the application at that very moment.

In situations the above methods do not help overcome the problem, it cause behind the error may be that the file or its components are corrupt & could not be accessed properly. The inbuilt scanpst.exe utility or other advanced PST repair software could be used for the purpose as the case complexity may be. The competent tool repairs damaged & inaccessible personal folder PST files & also recover deleted PST file items – emails, tasks, contacts and everything else completely & easily.