Error in shortcuts on Outlook 2003 startup

[Tom G.]

Everytime I start Outlook 2003 I get:

"An error occured in the folder shortcuts file (.fav). Outlook will
recreate the default folder shortcuts."

I have searched for a solution to this in both the KB and on most of the
tech sites. The only references I can find are to start Windows in safe
mode, delete the .fav file then start Outlook.

I've tried safe mode and restart. No luck.

There IS no .fav file in any folder anywhere on my system (yes, I've
looked in hidden/system folders). I even tried creating a 0-byte file with
the name of my profile. No effect.

I've tried running full repair on Office from Add/Remove Programs.

I've tried searching the registry for .fav. The only reference is to a
..fav icon and nothing that would point to an invalid path.

Any ideas? I don't really want to reinstall Office if I can avoid it.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Everytime I start Outlook 2003 I get:

"An error occured in the folder shortcuts file (.fav). Outlook will
recreate the default folder shortcuts."

I have searched for a solution to this in both the KB and on most of
the tech sites. The only references I can find are to start Windows
in safe mode, delete the .fav file then start Outlook.

If there is any .fav file, it will be in
%AppData%\Microsoft\Outlook

I've tried safe mode and restart. No luck.

There IS no .fav file in any folder anywhere on my system (yes, I've
looked in hidden/system folders). I even tried creating a 0-byte file
with the name of my profile. No effect.

Outlook's probably complaining, then, because it can't create the file.

Any ideas? I don't really want to reinstall Office if I can avoid it.

Check the ownership and permissions on the files in your Windows user
profile.

 

[Tom G.]

If there is any .fav file, it will be in
%AppData%\Microsoft\Outlook

It ain't there.

Outlook's probably complaining, then, because it can't create the file.

Check the ownership and permissions on the files in your Windows user
profile.

My user account (network with local admin privs), SYSTEM and local
administrator all have full control of %AppData%.

Any other ideas?