Outlook Cannot Move the Items? – 8 Best solutions to Fix it

Are you facing the error message in Outlook Cannot move the items? This means the item in Outlook cannot be moved when you’re trying to move an email to a folder in your Microsoft account. This is a common issue that many users face while working with Outlook. It can interrupt your workflow and prevent you from organizing your mailbox efficiently. This error may occur due to several reasons, including a corrupt Outlook profile, full mailbox, faulty PST/OST files, or permission restrictions when accessing shared folders or mailboxes.

This issue Outlook Cannot move the items, can affect both personal and business users. Therefore, it is important to quickly and effectively solve the problem to avoid any data management issues. There are several reliable methods to resolve this error. In the upcoming section, we will walk you through the best possible solutions to help you fix the “Cannot move the items” error in Outlook and restore normal functionality.

Reasons Behind the Error Outlook Cannot Move the Items

The error Outlook Cannot Move the Items appears when a user tries to move emails or items from one folder to another and the action fails. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, both technical and account related. Below are the most common reasons behind this issue are as follows-

• Full Mailbox: Outlook Mailboxes have the size limits and when the Mailbox is full. Then the Outlook cannot move the items. You would not be able to move your emails to another folder until you free some space in the mailbox.
• Corrupted PST or OST File: When your PST (Personal Storage Table) or OST (Offline Storage Table) files store your Outlook data locally.  If these files become corrupted, Outlook may be unable to move items properly.
• Insufficient Permissions: If you’re trying to move items in a shared mailbox, public folder, or delegate-access folder. You might not have the necessary permissions. Outlook will block the action if you’re restricted from modifying or moving content.
• Damaged Outlook Profile: A corrupted or improperly configured Outlook profile can cause synchronization issues. It prevents certain actions like moving items between folders.
• Conflicting Outlook Rules: Sometimes, auto-moving emails based on sender or subject rules can interfere with manual moves, especially if they’re misconfigured or apply to the target folder.
• Synchronization Issues: If you’re using Outlook in Cached Exchange Mode or with an unstable internet connection. It may cause the syncing problems between Outlook and the server might block the item move.
• Antivirus or Add-In Interference: Third-party Outlook add-ins or antivirus programs may block certain Outlook functions. It includes moving or copying emails, especially if they scan or lock email content.

When you understand about these possible causes of Outlook Cannot move the items. This will help you to identify the root of the issue and choose the right solution. In the next section, we’ll cover practical solutions to resolve the “Cannot Move the Items” error in Outlook.

Solutions to Fix Outlook Cannot Move the Items Error

If facing a problem to move emails or other items in Outlook because of the error that Outlook cannot move the items. Then you should try these solutions to fix this issue that we discussed below- 

1. Check Mailbox and Folder Size: You should delete all unnecessary emails and empty the Deleted Items and Junk Email folders. To free up more space, back up older emails and move them into a PST file. This helps reduce the size of your mailbox, which can prevent the Outlook Cannot move the items error in Outlook. Once space is cleared, you should be able to move items without any issues.

2. Repair PST or OST File: Use the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe):

• Firstly, you should Close the Outlook.
• Navigate to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX\ (replace XX with your version).
• Run ScanPST.exe and follow the prompts to repair your Outlook data file.

3. Create a New Outlook Profile: You should create a new Outlook profile to fix the issue of cannot move the items. Simply follow these steps-

• Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles.
• Click Add to create a new profile.
• Set it as the default and restart Outlook.

4. Verify Folder Permissions: If the folder is in a shared mailbox or public folder then you verify the folder permissions. 

• Right-click the folder > Properties > Permissions.
• Ensure you have Editor or higher access.

5. Disable Conflicting Rules: 

• Go to Home > Rules > Manage Rules & Alerts.
• Check if any rules are automatically moving items.
• Disable or modify them if they are causing conflicts.

6. Check for Synchronization Issues

• Make sure Outlook is connected and synchronized.
• Switch to Online Mode or disable Cached Exchange Mode temporarily via:
• File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Change > Uncheck “Use Cached Exchange Mode”

7. Disable Add-Ins and Antivirus Temporarily

• Go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
• Click Go next to “COM Add-ins” and uncheck all.
  Restart Outlook and test moving items.
• Also, try disabling antivirus email scanning temporarily.

8. Update Outlook and Windows

• Make sure Outlook and Windows are fully updated.
• Go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

Use a Professional Tool to Resolve the Issue Cannot Move the Items in Outlook

If manual fixes don’t help, consider using tools like Yota PST Converter Tool to repair or extract data from damaged files. It can help repair corrupted PST files and extract your data safely, allowing you to access and move your Outlook items without further issues. The PST Converter is a powerful tool that allows you to export PST files to over 5 file formats, including all email attachments. It offers two options to add PST files: Choose File or Choose Folder, making the process flexible and easy. You can convert PST contacts to VCF and calendars to ICS format effortlessly.

Additionally, the tool supports importing PST files directly to Gmail, Thunderbird, and any IMAP accounts without needing the Outlook client. It maintains the integrity and meta properties of your data during the conversion process. Additionally, you can repair corrupt PST files without using ScanPST or the inbox repair tool. You also have the option to save converted files in the same or a new folder. A free demo version is available to help you evaluate the tool’s features. It works with PST files from all Outlook versions, including 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007, and even lets you open password-protected PST files securely.

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Conclusion

This article has helped explain how to fix the Outlook Cannot move the items. As you go through the solutions, choose the one that best fits your situation. However, if the issue is due to a corrupted Outlook data file, using a reliable PST converter tool is a smart choice. It can quickly repair damaged files and restore your mailbox without hassle. In short, it’s an easy and effective way to get Outlook working properly again.