Outlook Data file was not closed properly - Error in Outlook

In MS Outlook you may receive different types of errors which may appear to you all as a sudden. As an Outlook user you may receive an error like an unwanted guest whom you don’t want to see again. This may occur in different situation with different message. For e.g. you would be receiving an error during accessing/syncing emails, sending/receiving emails, etc. in Outlook. But have you ever received an error at the time of closing an Outlook which say: “The data file <filename> was not closed properly. This file is being checked for problems”.

This is just another type of error that may occur in Outlook when you try to close MS Outlook. And this is very common error that happens with many Outlook users.

Possible reason that shows this error

Have a look into the following:

• Outlook cannot be closed if it’s already opened by multiple programs.
• When Add-Ins are checked in Outlook. 
• If the PST files become corrupted and restricting Outlook to close. 
• When some other programs trying to integrate with Outlook.

How to fix this error by proceeding manually

1.) Use Task Manager to close Outlook properly

Sometimes when you exit Outlook, it doesn’t get closed and kept open in background by some other processes. In that situation you can use Task manager to navigate to all the processes where Outlook is open. Follow the steps as shown as below:

• Right click on Task Bar at the bottom of your computer and then click on Start Task Manager.
• Click on Processes >> then select OUTLOOK.EXE >> click on End Process button.

2.) Uncheck all unwanted Add-Ins that are enabled in Outlook

To disable all unwanted Add-Ins from Outlook follow the below shown steps:

• Open Outlook and click on File >> click on Options >> click on Add-Ins.
• Navigate to COM Add-ins >> click Go… 
• Deselect all the available Add-Ins that are checked and click OK.

For more info on Add-Ins related issue. Click here: Unwanted Add-Ins in Outlook

3.) Edit Registry key

To edit registry key, do the steps as following:

• Click on Start >> type Run in the search box >> type "regedit.exe" in the Run command box
• Under Registry Editor, navigate to following path: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\Addins\<progID>".
• After you reach to the location of <progID>, click the numerical sub key >> add a DWORD value: RequireShutdownNotification in this sub key.
• Now right click the new value in the details pane >> click Modify.
• In the Value Data box, type the digit 1.

4.) Execute Inbox Repair Tool to scan if the PST file is corrupted

When the PST file in Outlook is corrupted, you need to repair the corrupted PST file. An Inbox Repair Tool is a tool helps to repair those corrupted PST file. Follow the below shown steps to run Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST.exe):

• Find the location of SCANPST.exe and double click to open Inbox Repair Tool.
• Choose the PST file for scanning process >> click Start.
• To navigate the location of SCANPST.exe according to the Outlook version. Follow the path as showing:
• Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\
• Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\
• Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\
• Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\
• Outlook 2003: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\.

For more info, click here: Understand Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST.exe)

5.) Fix Program integration issue

There are some programs that can integrate with Outlook and can restrict Outlook from closing but you can’t see the exact program that is trying to restrict Outlook from closing. When this situation occurs, you need to disable all of these programs.

Below are the list of Programs that interacts with Outlook and prevent from closing: disable all of these programs.

• Fax software (such as metrofax, PamFax, maxemail, etc.).
• Anti-virus software (Mcafee, Bitdefender, Avast are some virus scanners that interacts with Outlook). To grab more info about this, click on: How to disable Virus Scanner Integration 
• Spam email remover software (like Spamihilator, SPAMfighter Pro).
• File synchronization software (iTunes, Goodsync).
• Sidebar Outlook: it is a Windows gadget (Vista and Windows 7) that helps to manage Outlook inbox from the sidebar.
• Skype (View >> Show Outlook Contacts).

Conclusion

This is the problem that you may experience while you attempt to close MS Outlook which may arise due to data file related issues. To overcome from this kind of problem, you just need to follow the above mentioned procedures in a step by step manner. 

Outlook Data file was not closed properly - Error in Outlook Clark Kent 4.5 of 5

In MS Outlook you may receive different types of errors which may appear to you all as a sudden. As an Outlook user you may receive an err...