Lost "This computer only" folders

Question

* Related: Lost "This computer only" folders

Hi Microsoft Community

I am seeking your assistance.

I have a Bluehost Webmail account which I access via Outlook using IMAP. There were a few folders that stated "This computer only". I tried the hack below - https://www.systoolsgroup.com/updates/outlook-imap-this-computer-only-issue-resolved/ which resulted in my .ost file being deleted and replaced with a new one and the "This computer only" folders have been deleted. I reversed the process above, but the folders are still missing.

I have not backed up the .ost file for a while.

Is there a way to get these folders back?

Many thanks

Nicky

Answer 1

Hello Nicky

Hi, I'm Karl and will be happy to help you today.

What you have described is the result of the following

There is another data file set as the default data file> in the Outlook profile. To check which it is, from within Outlook, go to

<File> --> <Account Settings> --> <Account Settings> --> <Data Files> tab

• the data file with the checkmark beside it is the <default data file>. This is the file where the default contact / calendar folders are stored

Background

#1 - "This Computer Only" folders only apply to an IMAP account and only het created under 2 conditions

a) - this IMAP account was the first account configured in Outlook OR

b) - the OST data file for the account was set as the <default data file> at some point

#2 - When you removed and readded the account AND there was a data file already set as the <default data file>, the "This Computer Only" folders would not be created.

The bad news to what you have described is that any data contained in the "This Computer Only" folders is lost, there is no way to recover the data that was contained in those folders when you removed the account

Answer 2

Dear Glenn

Please see below for responses to the queries you raised to investigate my issue further:

1. Outlook Product Name and Version - Microsoft 365, Version 2301 (Build 16026.20146 (Click to Run).
2. Windows Version - 22H2 (OS Build 22621.1265), Windows Home 11 OS.
3. Time had the issue - A week.
4. C drive space - 17.2Gb.
5. I cannot access my Outlook via a web browser.

Many thanks

Nicky

Answer 3

Good day, Nicky Marshall1.

Thanks for reaching out to our Microsoft Community Forum. Please accept our sincerest hope that all is well.

From the description you have provided it seems you are missing some folders in you Outlook application. Apparently, this was the result of trying some steps you found online. And it appears it cannot be reversed and just made the problem worse.

This issue may have been caused by settings in Outlook that need to be changed. Or it may also be a problem with email account itself. So, let us work together as a team to get to the bottom of this. But to better assist you I need to ask:

1. What version of Outlook are you using? I specifically need the Product name and Version number as mentioned in the guide below.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/about-office-what-version-of-office-am-i-using-932788b8-a3ce-44bf-bb09-e334518b8b19

2. What version of Windows are you using? We specifically need the edition and version number of Windows your device is running. To find out which version of Windows your device is running, press the Windows logo key + R, type winver in the Open box, and then select OK. You'll get the window below and we need the information highlighted in red.

3. How long have you had this issue? Days? Weeks? Months?
4. Can you tell us how much free space your C drive has? Please use our guide below.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-out-how-much-storage-your-pc-has-c7cbe6ef-267b-6b8a-32d9-01161623ba5a?msclkid=3e97d74ebbd411ecbf078b6294ac405d

5. If you open a web browser and sign into your email account are the missing folder visible there?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Respectfully,

Glenn Rue

Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community