Why is Outlook storing files on a non-existent directory?

jjthomas · 20 Oct 2019

Windows 10, Version 10, Build 18362.418,
Outlook 2013 (Part of office 2103) .

I have a pst file stored at
C:\Users\Julian\Documents\Outlook Files\julian@provider.pst

I have a Storage drive where my backups are stored. I also keep a complete image of from my last PC that was replaced by my current PC.

This afternoon I was searching for pst file and found four seperate files, named julian@provider.pst, all with a time stamp a minute old. Why.

Why is this happening?

TIA

-Julian

Try3 · 20 Oct 2019

Julian,

What are the folder paths for the 4 files?
Why have you referred to "a non-existent directory"?
Which pst and/or ost fies does Outlook have open [this is in the Account settings, Datafiles tab]?

Denis

jjthomas · 20 Oct 2019

S:\Tech_Julian\Julian\Windows2019Recovery\Julian\My Documents\Outlook Files
S:\NoiseLastWindows10\Documents and Settings\Julian\Documents\Outlook Files
S:\NoiseLastWindows10\Users\Julian\My Documents\Outlook Files
S:\Tech_Julian\Julian\My Documents\Outlook Files

There is no such directory on S: name "My Documents".

C:\Users\Julian\Documents\Outlook Files\julian@provider.com.pst

Thank you for helping.

-JJ

In my first post I forgot to type in .com...

Try3 · 24 Oct 2019

Julian,

I cannot help.

Given that your only open Outlook data file is the one on your C drive [C:\Users\Julian\Documents\Outlook Files\julian@provider.com.pst] I can think of no reason for all 4 backups having such a recent last modified timestamp unless your backup had only just run.

I still do not understand why you are referring to "a non-existent directory". I don't understand what is telling you that it is looking for an S: drive folder called "My Documents" [by which I imagine you might mean "S:\My Documents"].

Sorry,
Denis

jjthomas · 24 Oct 2019

The backup software is Macrium Reflect, it stores the data in a file named 9C73BCC9840F695A-00-00.mrimg. To my knowledge, there is no other backup software running.

When I tried to follow the tree down to S:\NoiseLastWindows10\Users\Julian\My Documents, there is no
My Documents folder. I did a search for 'My Documents', it did not find any folders.

Totally weird.

Thank you for chiming in.

-JJ

Try3 · 24 Oct 2019

Julian,

I don't know if pulling at this particular thread is going to help or not but why did you 'follow the tree down' to S:\NoiseLastWindows10\Users\Julian\My Documents? Something must be telling you that it exists for you to try looking for it.

And have you made both hidden & system files visible in File explorer, View, Options, View tab {two seperate entries to change} just on the off-chance that the folder has such properties?

Denis

jjthomas · 24 Oct 2019

That was my original thought, but it is set to show system and hidden files.

To replicate:
I did a search using FreeCommander XE. I did a search for *.pst. It finds the file
S:\NoiseLastWindows10\Users\Julian\My Documents\julian@provider.com.pst

I get explorer and try to go to that location
S:\Tech_Julian\Julian\Windows2019Recovery\Julian
but there is not a folder named "My Documents" folder.

Maybe a bug with FreeCommander? I googled:
FreeCommander shows files that don't exist, and got
https://freecommander.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6067

It seems to fit what is happening to me.

Unfortunately, their forum keeps crashing due to too many users error. Oops.

So, at this point, I'm going to think "Software Error"

I will try to look at this further if I get a chance.

Thank you, again.

-JJ

Try3 · 24 Oct 2019

Julian,

I assume it was a typo but you found it in one folder but then tried to go to another.

To replicate:
I did a search using FreeCommander XE. I did a search for *.pst. It finds the file
S:\NoiseLastWindows10\Users\Julian\My Documents\julian@provider.com.pst

I get explorer and try to go to that location
S:\Tech_Julian\Julian\Windows2019Recovery\Julian
but there is not a folder named "My Documents" folder.

- - - - - - - - -

I had a very quick look at FreeCommander's website as well as that forum link. I am not convinced that even its recent versions are properly Windows 10 compatible because of the cack-handed way they explain why they only provide a 32 bit application. But it's only my suspicion not a fact.

And my suspicion does not explain why your backups have such recent Date modified properties. You did look at them in File explorer to get their Date modifieds?

Does File explorer search find the files on the S drive correctly? Real files only? You'd need to select the S drive first before searching.

Denis