Microsoft Outlook is the most widely used email client across the globe. We have all used it and it works great with Microsoft exchange server in our corporate environment. There are times though when it throws unwanted errors. One of the error is: “Outlook could not create work file. Check the temp environment variable”.

To resolve this situation, follow the following 2 Methods, in order:

Method 1: Delete Temp files

1. Minimize all the active windows to get back to the Windows desktop screen
2. Click on Start and then click on Run
3. On the Run box, type “temp”. If you are using windows Vista, just click on Start and type “temp” in the search box and click on the temp folder when it shows up on the results window
4. Select all the files and delete them. Please note that these files would not delete any data from your computer. (Use ctrl+A to select all files)
5. Follow the first 2 steps again and this time type/search for “%temp%”
6. Select all the files here also and delete them. (Use ctrl+A to select all files)
7. Now open/search for “cmd”. This is a command prompt window and will open a black screen with a blinking cursor
8. On this window, type: “echo %temp%” (without the quotes) and press “Enter“
9. It will take you back to the blinking cursor. Now type: “echo %tmp%” (without the quotes) and press “Enter“

Now try to use Microsoft Outlook once and see if you still get this message. If the error still exists, then follow the Method 2 below;

Method 2:

Please note that this step includes modifying the registry on your computer. If changes other than the ones listed below are made, it could render your computer in a non bootable state. You may have to reinstall windows also in some cases. Please follow these steps very carefully.

1. Click on Start and then click on Run
2. In the run box, type “regedit”. If your are using Windows Vista, type “regedit” in the search box and click on regedit on the search results once it shows up.
3. This will launch the Registry Editor window with 2 panes
4. On the left pane, locate and click on the (+) sign next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER
5. Under this tree, Now click on the (+) sign next to Software
6. Under this tree, Now click on the (+) sign next to Microsoft
7. Under this tree, Now click on the (+) sign next to Windows
8. Under this tree, Now click on the (+) sign next to Current Version
9. Under this tree, Now click on the (+) sign next to Explorer
10. Under this tree, Now click on UserShellFolders
11. On the right pane, there should be a value called “Cache”
12. Right click on it and click on Properties on the pop up menu
13. Change the default value for this key. It should be set to c:\Windows\Temp
14. Restart the computer

 

 

Both these steps will help you access Microsoft Outlook without the error message.