How do I get my new Outlook Classic Profile to Work Correctly?

Question

I have a Profile I called “Outlook” which works fine. It only shows 1 folder called “Danny’s Ameritech”.  It allows me to send a test email from my IMAP email I call “Danny’s Ameritech” to itself (Danny’s Ameritech). This test email always goes to the right folder – that is “Danny’s Ameritech”

 

I created a new Profile I called “New Outlook”.  I set this “New Outlook” profile uses the Stellar converted pst file. However, this “New Outlook” profile shows 2 folders called “Danny’s Ameritech”.

 

One of the new “Danny’s Ameritech” folders has all my correct old emails {Inbox (909), Sent (620), Archive (36)}

 

The 2nd new “Danny’s Ameritech” folder does not have all my correct old emails. Instead, this folder is where sent test emails seem to go when I use the same procedure I outlined above (see green paragraph)

 

Does any of this make sense?

Answer 1

Yes, it makes sense. The behavior indicates that the new profile has:

1. One data file/folder tree that contains the old mail from the Stellar‑converted .pst.
2. A second data file/folder tree that is the active IMAP account where new mail and sent items are going.

To get the new profile working correctly, the goal is:

• Keep the IMAP account as the active account for send/receive.
• Attach the Stellar .pst only as an archive (for reference), not as the live delivery store.

Use this approach:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open Control Panel → Mail → Show Profiles.
3. Select the New Outlook profile → Properties → Data Files.
4. In Account Settings → Data Files tab:
   • Identify which entry is the IMAP data file (usually shows the IMAP server name and is marked as default for delivery).
   • Identify the Stellar .pst (this is the one with all the old mail).
5. Ensure the IMAP data file is the default delivery location (check mark). If it is not, set it as default.
6. If the Stellar .pst is also configured as a delivery store for the same account, remove that account configuration and re‑add the IMAP account so it uses only one data file:
   • In Account Settings → Email tab, remove any duplicate or incorrect “Danny’s Ameritech” account entries.
   • Add the IMAP account again if needed so there is only one active IMAP account.
7. Start Outlook with the New Outlook profile and verify:
   • Only one “Danny’s Ameritech” account is shown as the active account (where new mail and sent items appear).
   • The Stellar .pst appears only as an additional data file (e.g., under “Outlook Data File” or similar) that you can expand to see the old mail.

If the profile remains confusing or unstable, creating a completely fresh profile and then attaching the Stellar .pst as an additional data file is often the cleanest fix:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Control Panel → Mail → Show Profiles → Add….
3. Create a new profile name.
4. Add only the IMAP account (Danny’s Ameritech) and complete setup.
5. Start Outlook with this new profile and confirm send/receive works and only one “Danny’s Ameritech” appears.
6. Then in Outlook, use File → Open → Open Outlook Data File and browse to the Stellar .pst to attach it for reference.

This ensures test emails and all new mail go to the single live IMAP “Danny’s Ameritech” folder tree, while the converted .pst is just an archive.

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References:

• Classic Outlook not responding, stuck at "Processing," stopped working, or freezes
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• Error 0x8004010F when you try to send or receive email in Outlook 2010 or Outlook 2013
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• Outlook is using a temporary email and I cannot receive emails - Microsoft Q&A