“Outlook Error: ‘The Operation Cannot Be Performed Because the Message Has Been Changed’ – How to Fix It”

When trying to transfer emails to a specific folder in Outlook, you might encounter the error: “Operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed.” In this article, we’ll delve into the primary causes of this error and provide perfect methods. We’ll also discuss how to handle a corrupted Outlook PST file using an expert program like BitData Migration PST Converter.

Reasons of the “Operation Cannot Be Performed Because the Message Has Been Changed” Error in Outlook

There are multiple reasons why you might face the “Operation can’t be performed because the message has been changed” error in Microsoft Outlook. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Various Instances of Email Running: If many instances of the same email or message are open at the same time, it can lead to conflicts and trigger this error.
• Faulty or Problematic Add-ins: Certain add-ins can interfere with Outlook’s normal functioning, causing unexpected errors like this one.
• Conflicts with Anti-Virus Software: Some anti-virus programs may conflict with Outlook, preventing certain actions, such as moving emails, leading to this error.
• Wrong Outlook Settings: Misconfigured settings in Outlook can cause issues when trying to perform operations, including the “message has been changed” error.
• Corrupt MS Outlook Profile: A damaged Outlook profile can prevent the program from working properly, leading to various errors, including this one.
• Corrupt PST Outlook Data File: Corruption in the PST file, which stores Outlook data, is a common cause of this error. A corrupt PST file can prevent Outlook from accessing or modifying messages correctly.

Techniques to Fixed the “Operation Cannot Be Performed Because the Message Has Been Changed” in Outlook Error

If the error persists even after ensuring that no email is open in multiple tabs, follow the methods below to solve the issue:

#Technique 1: Inactivate Security Applications Temporarily

Security applications like antivirus programs and Windows Firewall can sometimes lock the Outlook data file throughout routine scans, which may prevent you from transferring mails to other folders, resulting in the “message has been changed” error.

To check if your security application is causing the issue, you can temporarily disable it:

1. Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software: Turn off your antivirus program and see if MS Outlook functions correctly.
2. Temporarily Disable Windows Firewall: Disable the Windows Firewall to check if it’s blocking any Outlook-related processes.

If Outlook works fine after disabling the security apps, you should:

• Add Outlook and its associated processes as exceptions in your antivirus and firewall settings.
• Instead, you may want to consider switching to a security software which is suitable with Outlook to avoid further conflicts.

#Technique 2: Remove Faulty Add-ins

A faulty or incompatible add-in could interfere with Outlook’s normal functioning, causing errors. To identify and remove the problematic add-in, follow these steps:

• Close MS Outlook and tap Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type Outlook /safe in the Run box and hit OK.

If Outlook works properly in Safe Mode, it’s likely that one or more add-ins are causing the issue. To pinpoint and remove the faulty add-in, follow these steps:

• Go to File > Options to open the Outlook Options window.
• Pick Add-ins. At the bottom-left of the window, next to Manage, choose COM Add-ins.

• Hit Go to open a list of all add-ins installed in Outlook.
• Uncheck all the add-ins in the list and hit the OK tab to inactivate them.

• Now, check each add-in one by one, restarting Outlook each time, to identify the one causing the issue. Once identified, remove the faulty add-in permanently.

#Technique 3: Change the Conversation Clean-Up Settings

Some Outlook users have resolved this error by adjusting their Conversation Clean-up settings. You can try changing these settings to see if it helps:

• Run Microsoft Outlook, then navigate to File > Options, and select the Mail option.
• In the Mail window, scroll to Conversation Clean Up and uncheck the option When a reply modifies a message, don’t move the original.

• Restart Outlook and see if the error persists. If you still face the issue, try unchecking all options under Conversation Clean Up.

#Technique 4: Modify the Save Messages Settings

You may also try disabling the “Automatically save items” feature in the Save Messages section. Follow these steps:

• Launch MS Outlook and go to File > Options to open the Outlook Options window.

• In the Outlook Options window, Choose Mail and locate the Save Messages section.
• Uncheck the box for Automatically save items that have not been sent and press on OK.

• Restart Outlook and see if this resolves the error.

#Technique 5: Repair the MS Office/ Outlook Application

If there’s damage or corruption in Outlook or MS Office installation files, this error may occur. You can attempt to repair the program:

• Open Control Panel (type ‘control’ in the Run dialog box).

• In the Control Panel, navigate to Programs > Programs and Features.

• Locate Microsoft Office in the list of installed programs, right-click it, and select Change.

• Tap on Repair and follow the on-screen guide to repair the program.

If the error continues after the repair, you may need to uninstall and then reinstall MS Office.

#Technique 6: Make a New Outlook Profile

A corrupted Outlook profile may be causing the error. In this case, you can generate a new profile:

• Close Outlook and open Control Panel.
• In Control Panel, hit Mail.
• In the Mail Setup window, hit Show Profiles.

• Tick Add to make a new profile.

• In the New Profile window, type a name for your profile and press OK.

• Enter your login details in the Add Account window and hit the Next.

• Select Change account settings, then click Next.

Pick your old profile and tick Remove. Set the new profile as the default by selecting Always use this profile and following the prompts.

#Technique 7: Repair the Outlook PST File

Corruption in your Outlook PST file can also cause errors when moving or replying to messages. To repair the Outlook data file (PST), use Outlook’s built-in Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST.exe).

Please note, the repair process can take some time, depending on the corruption level and the size of your PST file. If SCANPST.exe is unable to fix the issue (especially with large or severely damaged files), an advanced repair tool may be necessary. Outlook Converter is a powerful tool that can repair large or encrypted PST files while maintaining structural integrity. It also converts the repaired Outlook file into multiple file formats like PST to PDF, EML, MBOX, MSG, HTML, DOC, XPS, HTML, JPEG, BMP, SVG, vCard, CSV, ICS, Zimbra, Lotus Notes, Outlook for Mac (OLM), Windows Live Mail, Amazon WorkMail, IMAP, Office 365, G Suite, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Exchange Server, and more.

Conclusion

The error “The operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed” in Outlook may occur when moving or replying to an email. This issue can be caused by faulty add-ins, corrupted data files, or other factors. Follow the methods outlined in this comprehensive post to troubleshoot the problem. If the SCANPST.exe tool doesn’t resolve the issue, consider using Outlook PST File Converter, a robust software for repairing damaged PST files.