Fix Outlook Cannot Copy or Move Folders Error

This guide walks you through fixing the “cannot copy or move folders” error in Microsoft Outlook. This issue usually appears when you try to drag, copy, or move a folder within your mailbox or to a PST file, and it can stem from corrupted files, add-ins, permission problems, or a damaged profile. You’ll need access to Outlook’s settings and, in some cases, permission to run Windows commands. No special tools are required.

What You’ll Need

Access to your Outlook account (email, password, or already configured profile)
Administrator rights on your computer (to run some repair commands)
Your email server settings (if you need to recreate your profile)

Step-by-Step

Close Outlook completely. Make sure no Outlook processes are running in the background. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, look for “Outlook” under Processes, and if present, right-click and select “End Task.”
Run Outlook in Safe Mode. Press Win+R, type outlook.exe /safe, and press Enter. If the error does not appear in Safe Mode, a third-party add-in is likely the culprit.
Disable add-ins. In Safe Mode, go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom, next to “Manage,” select “COM Add-ins” and click “Go.” Uncheck all add-ins, click OK, then restart Outlook normally. If the problem is gone, re-enable add-ins one by one to find the offending one.
Check for mailbox permission issues. If you’re trying to move folders from a shared mailbox or a mailbox you don’t own, you may not have the necessary permissions. Ask the mailbox owner to grant you at least “Editor” or “Folder Visible” permission. To check your permissions, right-click the folder, choose Properties > Permissions tab.
Repair your Outlook data file (PST/OST). Close Outlook. Locate the scanpst.exe tool (usually in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 depending on your version). Run it, browse to your data file (typically in %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Outlook), and follow the prompts to repair. This fixes file corruption.
Create a new Outlook profile. If the error persists, go to Control Panel > Mail (or search for “Mail” in Windows). Click Show Profiles > Add. Give it a name (e.g., “New Profile”), enter your email settings, and set it as the default. Restart Outlook and test the move/copy operation.
Use the Inbox Repair Tool (if you have a PST). For POP accounts using a PST file, the same scanpst.exe tool can be used. Make sure Outlook is closed, run scanpst.exe on the .pst file, and let it fix errors.
Check for large folder sizes. Right-click the folder you’re trying to move, select Properties > General tab, and note the size. If it’s over 2 GB, try splitting it into smaller subfolders or archiving old items first.
Update Outlook. Go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now. Install any pending updates and restart Outlook.
Run a full Office repair. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, select Microsoft Office, click Change, and choose Quick Repair first. If that doesn’t work, try Online Repair (requires internet and may take a while).

Common Mistakes

Skipping Safe Mode: Many users jump straight to reinstalling Office, but add-ins are a frequent cause. Always test in Safe Mode first.
Not closing Outlook before running scanpst: The repair tool fails if Outlook is still running. Ensure it’s completely closed.
Ignoring permissions: Trying to move folders from a shared mailbox without proper rights will always fail. Verify permissions first.
Moving a folder that contains subfolders with conflicting names: Outlook may refuse if the destination already has a folder with the same name. Rename or merge first.
Using the wrong scanpst.exe version: If you have a 64-bit Outlook, use the 64-bit version of the tool. Using the wrong one can cause errors.

Tips

Use the “Move” command instead of drag-and-drop: Right-click the folder, select Move Folder, and choose the destination. This sometimes bypasses the drag-and-drop error.
Compact your PST file: Over time, PST files can become bloated. In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Data Files tab, select the PST, click Settings, then Compact Now.
Export and re-import as a backup: If you can’t move a folder, export it to a PST file (File > Open & Export > Import/Export), then import it into the desired location. This often works when direct moves fail.
Keep your Outlook up to date: Microsoft regularly fixes bugs like this in updates. Enable automatic updates.
Use the web version as a workaround: If you’re in a hurry, you can often move folders in Outlook on the web (OWA) and the change will sync to your desktop client.

Troubleshooting

If the steps above don’t resolve the issue, try the following:

Check if the error occurs with a specific folder only: If yes, that folder may be corrupted. Try moving its contents to a new folder and then deleting the original.
Create a new data file: In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Data Files > Add, create a new PST, and try moving folders to it. If that works, your old PST is likely damaged beyond simple repair.
Run Outlook as administrator: Right-click the Outlook shortcut and select “Run as administrator.” This can help if the issue is related to file permissions on your system.
Check for conflicting keyboard shortcuts or mouse settings: Rarely, a third-party utility (like a clipboard manager) can interfere with drag-and-drop. Temporarily disable such software.
If you’re using a corporate account: Your organization’s IT policies might restrict moving folders. Contact your IT support to verify if this is the case.
If nothing works, consider recreating your mailbox: For IMAP accounts, you can remove and re-add the account in Outlook. This re-downloads the folder structure and often fixes persistent errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I drag and drop folders in Outlook?

Drag-and-drop can fail due to add-ins, corrupted data files, or permission issues. Try using the right-click “Move Folder” command instead, and run Outlook in Safe Mode to test if add-ins are the cause.

Will I lose emails if I repair my PST file?

No, the repair tool (scanpst.exe) is designed to fix corruption without deleting your emails. However, it’s always wise to back up your PST file before running it.

How do I know if my Outlook profile is corrupted?

Signs include frequent crashes, error messages, and the inability to perform basic actions like moving folders. Creating a new profile (as described in Step 6) is a quick test.

Can I move a folder from a shared mailbox to my own?

Yes, but you need at least “Editor” permissions on the shared mailbox folder. If you don’t have them, the move will fail. Contact the mailbox owner to grant access.

Why does the error say “Cannot copy folder” when I have plenty of space?

It’s not about disk space; it’s about Outlook’s internal file structure. The PST or OST file may be corrupted, or the folder may contain items with invalid characters. Repairing the data file usually resolves this.

Does this error affect Outlook on Mac?

Yes, Mac users can see similar errors. The steps are analogous: quit Outlook, disable add-ins, rebuild the database (using the rebuild tool in the Outlook menu), and check permissions.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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