Import an .msg file

Question

User is unable to import .msg file - an contacts list.

User gets the error- Cannot copy the items. a resource is busy or you lack sufficient access rights or permissions.

I have tried importing into contacts, into folders, storing on PC and opening in outlook, dragging, saving as a file then importing, and emailing to myself. I get various permission, resources in use, invalid parameter, and cannot read errors.

Answer 1

Hi,

Thank you for sharing your question. I understand how frustrating it is to repeatedly try different import methods and still receive errors such as “A resource is busy,” “Insufficient permissions,” or “Invalid parameter,” especially when you simply need to restore a contacts list.

This issue usually occurs because .msg files are individual Outlook items saved outside of a mailbox, and Outlook cannot import multiple contacts or contact folders directly from .msg files. These files may also be locked, corrupted, or associated with another Outlook profile, which leads to errors related to access rights or resources being in use. When the original .msg file was exported incorrectly or saved from another mailbox type, Outlook may also fail to read its internal MAPI properties, resulting in permission or invalid parameter messages.

The best next step is to open the .msg file directly in Outlook using the same profile that originally created it and then move or copy the contact into your Contacts folder from within Outlook. If the file still cannot be opened, saving the .msg file to the local drive, right‑clicking it, and selecting “Open with Outlook” often clears the lock state. If the file came from another device or mailbox, it may need to be resaved by the sender in a different format such as CSV or exported properly from their Outlook via the Export wizard. If the .msg file is damaged, creating a new Outlook profile or repairing Office can help ensure Outlook is not the source of the access‑rights errors.

Are you able to open the .msg file by double‑clicking it in Outlook using the same account it was originally created from, or does the error appear immediately when you try to open it?

Feel free to share what happens when you try that, and I’ll be happy to walk you through the next steps to recover your contacts.

 

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Noel

Answer 2

When importing an .msg file, particularly a contacts list, encountering errors such as "Cannot copy the items. A resource is busy or you lack sufficient access rights or permissions" can be frustrating. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Access Rights: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the folder where you are trying to import the .msg file. If you are importing into a shared mailbox or public folder, you may need additional permissions.
2. File Integrity: Verify that the .msg file is not corrupted. If possible, try opening the .msg file directly in Outlook to see if it opens without errors.
3. Outlook Version: Ensure that you are using a compatible version of Outlook that supports .msg file imports. Sometimes, older versions may have limitations.
4. Cached Exchange Mode: If you are using Outlook with an Exchange account, try switching to Cached Exchange Mode. This can sometimes resolve issues related to accessing shared resources.
5. Resource Conflicts: If you receive errors related to resources being busy, it could indicate that another process is trying to access the same resource. Ensure that no other instance of Outlook or any other application is using the contacts list or the folder where you are trying to import the .msg file.
6. Alternative Import Methods: If dragging and dropping or directly importing does not work, consider using the OpenSharedItem method in VBA to programmatically open and import the .msg file, which may bypass some of the limitations encountered with manual methods.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, further investigation into the specific error messages and the environment setup may be necessary.