Apr 12 2024 10:05 PM
Hello,
I'm using MS Outlook 2016 desktop application, specifically Microsoft® Outlook® 2016 MSO (Version 2403 Build 16.0.17425.20124) 64-bit (so not Office 365 or web-based outlook).
I am having issues creating more than one IMAP account.
I have successfully set up the multiple accounts on my phone as IMAP and another desktop mail utility but I'm only having trouble with Outlook 2016.
When trying to create the account I get consistently an error message "We couldn't create the Outlook data file. Make sure the disk you're saving to isn't full or write-protected and that the file isn't being used".
Now I don't have control of the location and it goes to C:\Users\(my userid)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and there is plenty of space on the disk.
The thing is, is that the file is being created and it is being displayed in the folders pane in Outlook.
In addition, the setup is sending the standard Outlook Test Message and that test message is being received by the accounts in question.
If I delete the first account I created, I am then able to add one of the other previously failed accounts. But then I am unable to add back the account I deleted and get the same error.
I am able to add all the accounts as POP accounts but that sort of defeats the purpose of sharing mail accounts across multiple devices.
I look forward to suggestions on how to create these secondary IMAP accounts.
Thank You.
Apr 13 2024 01:40 AM
If you're having trouble generating numerous IMAP accounts from the same email provider, it's conceivable that your email service restricts or limits the number of concurrent connections or accounts from a single IP address. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:
Apr 16 2024 08:58 AM
Hi @Gilgamesh1964 and Microsoft team. I'm having the exact same problem! The company boss and web developer have also tried helping from their expertise but have been left equally baffled. We've tried both the Microsoft app and the Outlook app on a Mac desktop and this Mac Book Air with Ventura and tried different email accounts to attach to this one but everything brings up the same red error message. Please can you contact us to help or provide a link with a solution. Thank you
May 17 2024 09:15 PM
Sorry for the delay in responding, for some reason I didn't get a notice of your response.
1) The only restrictions are on the number of e-mails that may be sent/received. I can have unlimited accounts/identities/aliases.
2) See 1
3) Each account is setup with different credentials, I consider this a normal thing to do.
4) I do have the correct IMAP Configuration, as I noted in my original message, I have successfully set up the accounts on my phone and another windows desktop mail utility.
5) There are no network connectivity issues (the phone and the other desktop utility function flawlessly)
6) See 4. But I'm after a solution to enable all of the accounts in Outlook 2016 as that is my preferred client.
7) No such restriction exists
8) There is no mention of OAUTH at my mail provider, so I'll assume it is not available (also see below)
9) See 1
10) I am in the process of consolidating multiple accounts into a smaller number. Previously I had seen using POP3 successfully for the large number of accounts but now I want to use IMAP instead. Merging them further or using email forwarding will not be an option.
As you can see in my response to 4, the multiple accounts can be set up on my phone which leads me to surmise that the problem lies within Outlook 2016.
I didn't explicitly mention it in my original post, but the problem also occurs when the second account being set up is with a totally different e-mail provider.
i.e. I set up the first account with my regular provider, then I try to set up an IMAP account using Microsoft's e-mail service. And I end up with exactly the same problem as when trying to set up two accounts with the same provider.