In Outlook 2003 I have two sets of personal folders. The first I have named "Jet's PST" and contains all my mail folders etc. This is the PST file I work from, and all my incomming mail goes here. The second is called "Personal Folders". I don't know how it got there, I don't use it, and I want to get rid of it. But it appears to be corrupted. If I left-click on this name "Personal Folders" (or left-click on the [+] next to it, to expand it), I get the following error message: "Microsoft Office Outlook: The set of folders could not be opened." There is a [Show Help >>] button. If I click this it says: "This error usually appears if the OST or PST file you are using is: - Unavailable - Protected with file permissions - On a share on a server and the network is down - Corrupt To correct this problem, store the OST or PST file on the local computer. You may also want to run the scanost.exe and scanpst.exe tools to verify file integrity. More information about this error message online." Following the link to online help doesn't help. If I right-click on the name "Personal Folders" I get a context menu offering the following options: - Open - Open in New Window - Send Link to this Folder - Advanced Find... - Rename "Personal Folders"... - New Folder... - Outlook Data File... - Close "Personal Folders" - Properties for "Personal Folders" The choices "Properties...", "Rename..." and "Send Link..." are shaded grey and unavailable. If I click ANY of the available options, I get the same error message as above ("The set of folders could not be opened"). The only exception is when I click "Close Personal Folders..." - that generates the following error message: "Microsoft Office Outlook: The operation failed. An object could not be found." The only option then is to click [OK]. So I think the file is corrupted, I just don't know how to get rid of this link to it! I've tried going into: C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook ... but in there, there is only the one PST file (called "jet.pst" - this is the outlook file I am using). Does anyone know how to get rid of the link to "Personal Folders" - or how to somehow fix the corruption so I can then delete it? luckypingudog at hotmail.com

Ensure Outlook is not open, right click on the Icon on your desk top and you should see the files that are installed, i.e. Internet, Jet.pst & another marked Personal Folder, highlight then REMOVE and when you launch Outlook it should be gone. Bob Mitchell.

Hi Bob, thanks for your help. Unfortunately there isn't an Outlook icon on my desktop. I tried right-clicking on the one in my Quick Launch toolbar, and the one in the Start Menu, but these only refer to the shortcuts. I'm not sure if this is relevant, but I opened Outlook 2003 and went: File > Data File Management There is only one file listed there ("Jet's PST"). Can you suggest another thing to try? luckypingudog at hotmail.com

I am not sure about Outlook 2003 but you should be able to go TOOLS-SERVICES & see the display I was referring to. The "Personal Folder" must be in there and you should be able to delete it with no ill effects if your mail is being delivered to your jet.pst. Regards. Bob Mitchell.

The problem is with your outlook profile - not the pst. to fix, close outlook, run regedit and delete the following reg folder, HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-35785*****-**********-**********-****\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging subsystem\Profile.(stars will be numbers - diifferent on each machine) Restart outlook, enter the new profile name, close outlook, replace the pst, start outlook, problem solved(hopefully!)

Solution found! (The Registry solution above works, but with some problems).... But, after making a backup, you can do this... 1. Make a new Data Folder (Tools>Email Accounts>View or Change...>New Outlook Data Folder) Name it "New" (For example) Make it the Default Delivery Location for Email (The dropdown menu on that screen) 2. Delete the Folders (File>Data File Management) I deleted them all, and I am down to only one "Personal Folders" now! Just one more reason that I'm glad I use Thunderbird. Now to get my customers to switch from Microshaft :)

Thank you all for your input. Bob - unfortunately in Outlook 2003 that option didn't exist. pauljpjo01 - thank you SO MUCH, your suggestion worked perfectly! The problem is now 100% resolved! atomix - thanks for your solution also, although since pauljpjo01's suggestion worked I have't needed to try it. Again, thank you all - this is such a relief! luckypingudog at hotmail.com