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Fix the Issue of Cannot Expand the Folder Outlook Shared Mailbox

Robert Kurt ~ Modified: 11-Mar-2022 ~ Outlook ~ 5 Minutes Reading

Are you guys facing error like cannot expand the folder outlook ? If your answer is yes, then this blog is helpful for you. Here we have explained everything in detail. Stay tuned with us for more information.

MS Outlook is a popular application for both businesses and individuals. It provides users an effective way of communication managing emails from their operating systems. It is easy to backup Outlook PST files and shares them using external drives. But when the user faces issues like “cannot expand the folder outlook” then it is not possible.

expand the folder outlook

What are the reasons of cannot expand the folder outlook ?

There can be multiple reasons behind this issue. This type of error is common in Outlook 2010 and above versions like 2013, 2016. Some of them are mentioned below:

  • A damaged PST file is the main reason for this issue.
  • It can occur when there is no enough memory to perform the particular task.
  • Damaged or corrupted OST file is also one of the main reasons.
  • If folder visible permission is not set then the user may have to face this type of issue.
  • Interference of third – party add – ins can also cause errors.
  • Corrupt Outlook profile id one more reason for this issue.

Now let’s have a look on some solutions of cannot expand the folder outlook 365

Method 1: Disable the add – ins

If users has ever installed the add – ins into their Outlook account then user might have to face this issue. One or more of the add-ins may be causing a conflict resulting in the Cannot expand folder Outlook error may appear. Users have to open Outlook in Safe Mode to eliminate all add – ins issues. User can also disable all the add – ins without going into Safe Mode. If the error is gone, user will need to re – enable each add – in one at a time to verify which one was responsible for the following error.

Method 2: Check the limit of the Folder

Microsoft Outlook provides a limit of 1000 folders. If users have more than the specified number of sub – folders, then they will not be able to expand the folder. That limit applies to Microsoft Exchange accounts as well. The limit of the folder is 500 for Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 versions. Also, the number of items per folder cannot exceed 100,000. If limits exceed then the user may have to face performance issues.

Method 3: Give permission for the folder “Visible”

Before performing this solution, the user must ensure that there are extra subfolders than the limit, i.e., maximum 500. After that, confirm if the authority for the .ost folder view is allotted or not.

  • First, open the interface of the Outlook application, then right – click on the folder that is not responding.
  • Then, click on the Properties option.
  • After that, check the permissions button and make sure that “Folder Visible” permission is assigned.
  • If not, then simply click on the edit option and assign the same. Then, hit OK to save the settings.
  • May be, by doing this user are able to solve the issue.

Method 4: User can also Repair Outlook Application

  • Firstly, user have to find and open the control panel from the start menu.
  • Now, search for uninstall in the control panel and open uninstall program.
  • Now, search for the standalone Outlook app if user have it. Else install the Microsoft Office suite version. Select it and click open the Change button on the top.
  • Then, user will see a pop – up box having two options. A quick repair also works offline and fixes most of the common errors. User can try that and if it doesn’t work, try Online Repair.
  • Online repair procedure takes more time and requires an active internet connection.

Method 5: Create a new Outlook Profile

It is suggested that before applying this method, it will be good if user applies method 4. User can rename the folder which he can’t expand in Outlook. User can do this through right – click option. Now, if user have taken a backup on the server or in the cloud, delete below – mentioned profile:

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outloook

  • The above Username above and the drive letter should be the user’s corresponding user name and Windows installation drive. Then, restart the system.
  • After that, open the Outlook and then Files menu, click on Account Settings > Manage Profiles.
  • Click on Show Profiles and then click on add to begin creating a new profile.
  • Finally, the user can add email accounts to this freshly created profile and then check if still, you are getting the “Cannot expand the folder Outlook” error.

Note: If above – mentioned methods doesn’t work then the user can take the help of an automated solution i.e., OST file Repair application. By using this user can repair the OST file by converting it into another outlook supported file format. By this user will be able to perform this task.

Let’s Wrap Up

In the above blog post, we have briefly discussed cannot expand the folder Outlook in brief. This blog post is helpful for those users who are facing issues in this process. Here, we have discussed different types of solutions. Users can select any option accordingly to fix the following issue. But manual solutions always have some limitations.

To avoid those limitations users can take the help of a technical solution which is also mentioned in this blog. By this user will easily perform this task without any hassle.

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