You see the error “Your mailbox has been temporarily moved on Microsoft Exchange Server” when opening Outlook after a mailbox migration. This message appears because Outlook’s local profile points to an old server location. The article explains the technical cause and provides steps to update your profile and reconnect to the correct mailbox.
Key Takeaways: Fixing the Temporarily Moved Mailbox Error
- Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles: Remove the old Outlook profile and create a new one to point to the current Exchange server.
- Outlook Account Settings > Repair: Use the automated repair tool to detect the new server and update your account settings.
- Windows Credential Manager: Delete outdated Exchange credentials to force Outlook to prompt for fresh authentication.
Why the Mailbox Moved Error Occurs After Migration
This error is a direct result of how Outlook connects to Microsoft Exchange Server. Your Outlook profile contains a pointer called the Exchange RPC endpoint. It includes the old server name or mailbox database location.
During a migration, your mailbox is physically transferred to a new database or a different Exchange server. The old pointer in your profile becomes invalid. Outlook tries to connect using the old information and receives a redirect error from Exchange, which it displays as the mailbox temporarily moved message.
Autodiscover and Profile Staleness
A working Autodiscover service should automatically update this endpoint. The error persists if Autodiscover fails, if cached profile data is corrupt, or if Windows security credentials are locked to the old server address. Network policies or VPN configurations can also interfere with the automatic update process.
Steps to Remove the Error and Reconnect
The most reliable fix is to create a fresh Outlook profile. This ensures all connection data is rebuilt from scratch using the current Autodiscover information.
- Close Outlook completely
Ensure Outlook is not running. Check the system tray for its icon and exit from there. - Open the Windows Control Panel
Search for “Control Panel” in the Windows Start menu and open it. Set View by to Large icons. - Open the Mail setup dialog
Select the Mail (32-bit) or Mail app. In the dialog that opens, click the Show Profiles button. - Remove the old profile
Select your current Outlook profile from the list. Click the Remove button and confirm. Do not worry, this does not delete your emails. - Add a new profile
Click the Add button. Type a name for the new profile, like “Outlook New”. Click OK. - Set up your account automatically
In the Add Account window, enter your full email address. Click Connect. Follow the prompts to enter your password. Outlook will use Autodiscover to find the correct server settings. - Start Outlook with the new profile
After setup, ensure the new profile is set to be used. Select the option “Prompt for a profile to be used” if you have multiple. Start Outlook and select your new profile.
Using the Outlook Account Repair Tool
If creating a new profile is not possible, try the built-in repair tool first.
- Open Outlook Account Settings
In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. - Initiate the repair
Select your Exchange account from the list. Click the Repair button above the list. - Follow the repair wizard
Enter your password when prompted. The tool will attempt to contact Autodiscover and update your server details. Restart Outlook after it completes.
If the Error Persists After Profile Recreation
Outlook Still Shows the Old Mailbox or Asks for a Password
This indicates cached credentials are forcing a connection to the old server. Open Windows Credential Manager. Search for it in the Start menu. Go to Windows Credentials. Look for entries with “MicrosoftExchange” or your old server name in the address. Select each one and click Remove. Restart Outlook and enter your password when prompted.
The New Profile Fails to Set Up the Account
Autodiscover may be failing. Try manual setup during profile creation. After clicking Add, enter your email, but check the box for “Let me set up my account manually”. Choose Exchange or Microsoft 365. For the server field, your IT department must provide the new Exchange Server name. This is often something like outlook.office365.com.
Outlook Opens but Some Folders Are Missing
This is common with Cached Exchange Mode. The new profile is downloading a fresh copy of your mailbox. Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. Double-click your Exchange account. At the bottom, check the box for “Use Cached Exchange Mode”. Adjust the mail slider to a shorter period like 3 months to speed up the initial sync.
Profile Recreation vs. Account Repair: Key Differences
| Item | Create New Outlook Profile | Use Account Repair Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | Persistent error, corrupt local profile data | Minor connection glitch, outdated server name |
| Impact on Local Data | Creates new OST/PST file; old file remains but is disconnected | Keeps existing OST/PST file; updates connection settings within it |
| Time Required | Longer (new mailbox sync/download) | Shorter (only re-authenticates) |
| Success Rate | Very high, as it starts fresh | Moderate, depends on Autodiscover health |
| Best Practice | Recommended final solution after migration | Good first attempt before profile deletion |
You can now resolve the mailbox moved error by creating a new Outlook profile or using the repair tool. For most post-migration issues, a new profile is the definitive fix. If folder sync is slow, adjust the Cached Exchange Mode slider in account settings. A final advanced tip is to run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant, which can automate many of these diagnostic and repair steps.