Getting “File does not exist” Error While Opening Mail? Try This

Read time 6 min

Introduction

IBM Notes (earlier known as Lotus Notes) is the professional email client that many business organizations adopt for their professional communication. IBM makes sure that the user gets the latest version of the application and the mailbox data is instantly available. But the application may get a specific problem. One such issue is the ‘File does not exist’ error message when a user opens the application.

IBM Notes is a widely used email client after MS Outlook. Though it is popular in today’s business environment, it also faces certain issues. One such an error faced by Notes users is ‘File does not exist’ error message.

Usually, the ‘File does not exist’ error message occurs due to random reasons. Some scenarios in which this error occur are listed here:

• While Opening an Email in IBM Notes Application
• While Archiving the Emails in Notes
• When Notes is Launched After Upgrade
• While Accessing Mail in a Local Replica

Let us discuss the reasons and then the possible solutions for the issue.

While Opening an Email in IBM Notes Application

Sometimes, when a user clicks on an email in IBM Notes, he gets an error message ‘File does not exist.’ This error can pop up while performing other activities too than opening the email in Lotus Notes.
Reasons –
The different reasons for this error are:

• You are working with a lost network connection
• You are trying to open a file that does not exist anymore or stored in a removable device that is not attached to the system
• You are trying to import an attachment or file that is not present in the directory

Solutions –

• Check the network connections and adapters carefully. Then try again to open the emails
• Remove the external drive or storage device, replace it, and then click on mail to open it
• You must be careful about the specified location of the directory in which your file is stored. Check it again to ensure that selected directory location is correct
• You must ensure that key files – names.nsf, bookmark.nsf, desktop.ndk, and cache.ndk – exist in the Notes\Data directory. If not, then .NTF equivalent files must be there in the Notes\Data directory.

While Archiving the Emails in Notes

The Notes user can archive emails to move old and unrequired emails. Archiving the emails helps the users to reduce database size. While doing so, he may get the error ‘File does not exist’ and halts the process.

Reason – This error may pop up if the archive NSF file is renamed or deleted from the directory.

Solution – Go to File > Database > Properties > Archive Settings . Check if the file is missing or renamed. If the file is removed or deleted, create an NSF file or rename the same in the exact location.

When Notes is Launched After Upgrade

If the user is going for a new version update with a different user account, there is a chance for error – ‘File xxx.nsf does not exist.’ For instance – If the user who installs Notes 8.5.2 Fix Pack 3 is not using the same user account by which the earlier version was installed, this issue will exist.

Solution – This error can be prevented by installing the new version with the same user account with which the earlier version was installed. Once the installation is done, restart the IBM Notes application. It will prevent the error message to occur again.

While Accessing Mail in a Local Replica

When the user is trying to access the mail in a local replica, he may get an error message:

Reason – Using a local replica in place of server copy is the cause for this error. Also, accidental deletion of Notes temporary files (.DTF) is one of the reasons for the issue. Sometimes anti-virus software activities also play an important role in the deletion of temporary files.

Solutions – Try one or more tasks to resolve the file error:

• You can try opening the mail in server copy to see the effects
• Launching Lotus Notes application again can solve your problem
• Configuring anti-virus software excluding the .DTF files from it can fix the issue
• Updating the latest version of anti-virus software for the system

The above mentioned solutions can solve your problem.

Thinking of Moving from Notes to Outlook?

Due to the complexity of the application and frequent occurrence of the Notes errors, many Notes users think of moving to MS Outlook. For this, they need to migrate their Notes emails to Outlook application as one cannot directly use NSF files into the Outlook application. They can try free methods to convert NSF to PST, if they are technically sound. Otherwise, they must try a professional third-party software. Kernel for Lotus Notes to Outlook converter is a proficient software that helps you migrate NSF file(s) to Outlook. It efficiently migrates multiple NSF files in one go with its batch migration feature. The exceptional features and innovative filters are the highlights of the tool. You can utilize this tool for each version of Outlook and Lotus Notes.

Software Working Video to Move Data from Lotus Notes to Outlook

Marked as answer by Simon_Wu Microsoft contingent staff, Moderator

Read more : https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/e2bb9b73-7804-4ce6-b3b8-2781df0f7b96/migration-lotus-notes-to-exchange-how-to-migrate-confidential-emails-in-ln-encrypted

Conclusion

The NSF file error restricts the user from accessing their account in IBM Notes. The article provides all the possible solutions according to the reasons and best methods to avoid such complications. The ultimate solution to this problem is to convert the NSF to PST using professional software and adopt Outlook as the primary email client.