Free Methods to Repair PST File in Outlook – Full Guide

Introduction: The Personal Storage Table (PST) file format is utilized by the Outlook email client to store various mailbox items, including emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and notes. Unfortunately, PST files can get corrupted due to factors like large mailbox size, issues with network drives, or improper shutdown of Outlook. To address this concern, Microsoft offers a free tool known as the “Inbox Repair Utility” or “Scanpst.exe” specifically designed to repair PST files. This utility allows users to restore the contents of the PST file to their original state, making it an effective solution to resolve various Outlook errors seamlessly. Let’s delve into the details of this free method for repairing PST files.

Quick Solution: Advik PST Repair Tool stands as the ultimate and most effective solution for effortlessly recovering PST file data. With its user-friendly interface and powerful algorithms, it swiftly retrieves all mailbox items, including emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and more, from corrupted or damaged PST files.

Whether you are using Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, or any other version, Advik effortlessly handles the recovery process. You can also use this tool to export PST file if import export is greyed out in Outlook application. Its advanced features ensure no data loss during the recovery process. Forget the complexities of manual methods; Advik PST Repair Tool guarantees a seamless and trouble-free recovery experience, making it the best choice to retrieve PST file data with ease.

How to Repair PST File in Outlook?

The Inbox repair utility, also known as scanpst.exe, is a hidden file, which means users must enable the viewing of hidden files and folders to access it. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click and open the “This PC” folder on your computer.
2. Select the “View” option from the menu bar and check the “Hidden Items” checkbox. Alternatively, you can go to Control Panel, select “Small Icons” in “View by,” then choose “File Explorer options,” click on the “View” tab, and select “Show hidden folders and files.”
3. Locate the scanpst.exe file in the location where Microsoft Office is installed.
4. If you’re having trouble finding it manually, you can use the search bar to look for the scanpst file.

Once you’ve located the scanpst.exe file, you can use it to repair your PST file in Outlook and resolve any issues with your mailbox data.

Important Note: Run the Inbox Repair Tool multiple times (around 5-6 times) until it successfully resolves all the errors detected in the PST file. To begin, locate the ScanPST.exe file, and you can do this by double-clicking on it. Click on the “Browse” button and select the corrupt or damaged .pst file that requires repair. The PST file can typically be found in one of the following locations:

• drive:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
• drive:\Users[username]\Roaming\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
• drive:\Users[username]\Documents\Outlook Files
• drive:\Documents and Settings[username]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Next, click on the “Start” button and allow the tool to scan the .pst file thoroughly, searching for any errors. If any errors are detected, click on the “Repair” option to initiate the repair process for the PST file within Outlook. Once the repair is complete, click “Ok” to finalize the procedure. Be sure to repeat the process several times if necessary until all errors are successfully resolved.

Read Also: Best Way to Convert MBOX to PST File in 2023

Facing issues with Scanpst? Give This Approach a Try

Scanpst is not without its limitations. There have been numerous instances where users encountered problems with Scanpst, such as it freezing, becoming unresponsive, or generating errors like “encountered a problem and needs to close,” “unexpected error,” and more. In such situations, it becomes necessary to consider an alternative PST repair utility to regain access to important Outlook data.

To repair PST files in Outlook and effectively recover even highly corrupted data, users are advised to opt Advik PST Repair Tool. This alternative overcomes all the limitations of the Inbox repair utility, ensuring a seamless experience while restoring Outlook data items. So, when facing issues with Scanpst, turn to the alternative of a dependable repair tool for efficient and effective PST file recovery.

To repair PST files in Outlook (all versions), follow these steps using the alternative tool:

1. Launch the alternative PST repair tool and click on the “Add File” button from the welcome screen.
2. Now, select the corrupt PST file from your system and opt for the preferred scanning option (Advanced scan is recommended). Click “Next.”
3. The tool will scan the PST file and display all the recoverable items, such as emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, etc.
4. Users can select the items they wish to repair and click on the “Export Selected” option. Alternatively, users can directly click on the “Export” option from the ribbon bar.
5. In the Export window that appears, select the PST option and browse to choose the location to save the healthy PST file.
6. Click on “Advance Settings” to apply date filters and choose optional features like creating a single PST file or splitting the PST into smaller size files.
7. Click “Save” to apply the selected settings.
8. Finally, click on “Export” to save the repaired data in healthy PST file(s).

By following these steps with the alternative PST repair tool, you can efficiently repair and restore your Outlook PST files, ensuring access to your important data once again.

Key Considerations for Preventing PST File Corruption

The PST file format is widely known for its convenience in storing various mailbox items. However, this very versatility can also make it susceptible to frequent corruption. Alongside this, factors like faulty network drivers, corrupt hard disks, improper Outlook shutdowns, and even viruses can lead to PST file corruption, regardless of its origin. To safeguard the data stored in the PST file, it’s crucial to proactively address these issues. Here are some important preventive measures:

1. Regular Backups: Always maintain a backup of the PST file in a separate location. Keeping frequent copies of essential emails is an effective strategy to counter potential corruption and data loss issues. With a backup in place, there might be no need to repair the PST file within the Outlook application.
2. Divide Data into Multiple PST Files: Consider creating multiple PST files to divide and manage the data efficiently. This helps control the size of each PST file, a primary cause of corruption in large files.
3. Use Reliable Antivirus Programs: Utilize trustworthy antivirus programs to protect against potential threats. However, ensure that the antivirus software does not interfere with the normal operation of the Outlook email client.
4. Ensure Healthy Hardware: Ensure that the hardware components used in your system are in good condition. Faulty hardware can contribute to data corruption in the Outlook data file.

By proactively implementing these preventive measures, users can significantly reduce the risk of PST file corruption and maintain the integrity of their Outlook data. A little caution and foresight go a long way in safeguarding critical information stored within the PST file.

Conclusion

While the PST file in Microsoft Outlook is generally considered secure, it is not immune to corruption. Once the file gets damaged, it can lead to various errors and become inaccessible, resulting in data loss for users. In this article, we have outlined free methods to repair PST files in Outlook. However, if the free method proves ineffective or generates errors, we also recommend an alternative .pst repair utility. Users have the flexibility to choose the method that best suits their preferences and requirements. By being proactive in addressing PST file issues, users can ensure the integrity and accessibility of their Outlook data.