Outlook Error 0x80040305: How to Fix Cannot Move Items to Deleted Items

You see error 0x80040305 when trying to delete an email in Outlook. The message states it cannot move items to the Deleted Items folder. This error typically indicates a problem with your Outlook data file or profile. This article explains the root cause and provides steps to resolve the issue.

Why Outlook Shows Error 0x80040305

Error 0x80040305 is a data file corruption error. It occurs when the structure of your Outlook Data File, typically a PST or OST file, becomes damaged. This damage prevents Outlook from executing internal commands like moving an item to a different folder.

The corruption can happen due to an unexpected Outlook shutdown, a storage drive error, or a problem during a Windows update. The error specifically blocks the move operation to the Deleted Items folder, but the underlying file issue can affect other functions.

Understanding PST and OST Files

For POP or IMAP accounts, Outlook stores data in a Personal Folders File with a .pst extension. For Microsoft 365 or Exchange accounts, it uses an Offline Outlook Data File with an .ost extension. Corruption in either file type can trigger error 0x80040305. The fix often involves repairing the specific file type your account uses.

Steps to Repair Your Outlook Data File

The primary fix is to use the built-in Inbox Repair Tool to scan and repair your data file. Follow these steps in order.

1. Close Outlook completely
   Ensure Outlook is not running. Check the system tray near the clock and right-click the Outlook icon to select Exit if it is there.
2. Locate the Scanpst.exe tool
   The tool is installed with Outlook but hidden. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 for 64-bit Office or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 for 32-bit. The version folder might be Office15 or Office14 for older Office installations.
3. Run Scanpst.exe as administrator
   Right-click the Scanpst.exe file and select Run as administrator. This ensures the tool has necessary permissions.
4. Browse to your Outlook Data File
   In the Inbox Repair Tool window, click Browse. You need to find your .pst or .ost file. Its default location is C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
5. Start the scan and repair
   Click Start to begin the scan. If errors are found, click Repair. The tool will create a backup of the original file before making changes. This process can take several minutes.
6. Restart Outlook
   After the repair finishes, open Outlook. Try to delete the email that previously caused the error to confirm the fix.

Alternative Method: Create a New Outlook Profile

If the Inbox Repair Tool does not work, the problem may be with your Outlook profile. Creating a new one forces Outlook to build fresh data files.

1. Open the Mail control panel
   Press Windows key + R, type control.exe /name Microsoft.Mail, and press Enter. This opens the Mail setup dialog.
2. Click Show Profiles
   In the Mail Setup window, click the Show Profiles button.
3. Add a new profile
   Click Add. Type a name for the new profile, such as “OutlookNew”, and click OK. Follow the prompts to re-add your email account.
4. Set the new profile as default
   Back in the Mail dialog, select “Prompt for a profile to be used” if you want to choose, or select your new profile and choose “Always use this profile”. Click Apply then OK.
5. Test in the new profile
   Start Outlook. If prompted, select the new profile. Verify you can delete items without the error.

If the Error Persists After Repair

“The Inbox Repair Tool did not find any errors”

If the scan finds no errors, the issue might be with folder permissions or a damaged Deleted Items folder itself. Try creating a new Deleted Items folder. Right-click your email account in the folder pane, select New Folder, and name it “Deleted Items2”. Drag items you want to delete into this new folder. You can also set it as the default deletion location in File > Options > Advanced > Other.

Outlook is very slow and still shows the error

Severe file corruption may require a more drastic fix. First, ensure you have a recent backup of your PST file. Then, in Outlook, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export. Select “Export to a file” and choose “Outlook Data File (.pst)”. Export your key folders to a new PST file. Create a new profile as shown above and import the data from the new PST file.

Error occurs only with one specific email

A single corrupted email can cause this. Try moving other emails to the Deleted Items folder. If only one fails, select that email and press Shift+Delete to permanently delete it, bypassing the Deleted Items folder. Confirm the permanent deletion when prompted.

Repair Methods for Error 0x80040305: Comparison

Item	Use Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe)	Create a New Outlook Profile
Primary Use Case	Fixes corruption within the PST or OST data file itself	Resets all profile settings and creates fresh data files
Complexity	Medium – requires finding and scanning a specific file	Low – uses built-in Windows control panel wizards
Data Risk	Low – tool creates a backup automatically	Medium – old profile data remains but is disconnected
Time Required	5-30 minutes depending on file size	10-15 minutes plus account reconfiguration time
Best For	General file corruption, errors after crashes	Persistent errors after repair, profile-specific issues

You should now be able to delete emails without seeing error 0x80040305. Start with the Inbox Repair Tool for most cases. If the problem returns, consider creating a new profile as a more permanent solution. For advanced users, regularly using File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Data Files > Add to archive old data can help prevent future file corruption.