You are experiencing errors or glitches in Microsoft Outlook and suspect that the issue could also be resulting from corruption in your Personal Folder file, which homes all your electronic mail and different content material. To discover the reason for the issue, Microsoft provides the built-in Inbox Repair software, often known as ScanPST.
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The ScanPST software can scan a Personal Storage Table, PST or Offline Storage Table, OST file, to diagnose and restore errors within the file. These file codecs are utilized in Outlook to retailer information regionally for private backups and offline entry respectively. If the software detects harm, it provides to restore the errors. Here’s the way it works.
Before trying to restore a file, the software mechanically creates a backup. However, you might need to have your personal backup as an added safety precaution. To discover the placement of your PST or OST file, open Outlook and click on the File menu. Click the Account Settings button after which choose the Account Settings command.
In the Account Settings window, click on the Data Files tab. Examine the trail of the file you need to scan and open it in File Explorer. Close Outlook. Then, merely create a backup copy of the file. If you encounter a file lock error when attempting to again it up, ensure Outlook and any functions that use or combine with Outlook are closed. If crucial, open Task Manager to test for any applications that have to be closed.
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In File Explorer, find the folder containing scanpst.exe to launch the software. The location varies barely relying in your model of Outlook and whether or not you might be 32-bit or 64-bit. For the 64-bit model, begin by going to C:Program FilesMicrosoft Office. For the 32-bit model, navigate to C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft Office. From there, delve into the next positions:
Microsoft 365, Outlook 2021, Outlook 2019 and 2016 – ..rootOffice16.
Outlook 2013 – ..Office15
Outlook 2010 – ..Office14
Outlook 2007 – ..Office12
If you possibly can’t find the file by way of a particular path in File Explorer, merely seek for scanpst.exe. Double click on on the file. The window lists the trail to the PST or OST file. If it factors to the flawed file, click on the Browse button and choose the proper file.
With the proper PST or OST file listed, click on the Start button. The software goes by way of eight levels. Assuming the file is broken, the software will sooner or later cease and inform you that it has discovered errors within the file. Clicking the Details button might or might not present extra data. In any case, click on the Repair button.
The software will then show an alert letting you already know when the restore is full. Click OK. Run the software once more to see in case your PST or OST file now passes the check. If additional errors are discovered, click on the Repair button once more.
At some level, the software might point out that it discovered solely small inconsistencies within the file and that repairing it’s non-compulsory. Instead of repairing it once more, you might need to test the app’s log file to view the scan outcomes.
To do that, navigate to the folder containing your PST or OST file. Double-click the log file that begins with the identical identify as your mailbox. The log file incorporates plain textual content, so you possibly can learn it in Notepad or an identical textual content editor. Then, open Outlook and attempt to replicate the habits that brought about the issues within the first place.
If Outlook is working correctly, you are good to go. If not, you might need to attempt one other restore or take into account different causes for the issues plaguing Outlook.
How can I do know if my PST file is broken?
Common indicators of corrupted PST information embrace:
- Error messages, similar to “the file (filename).pst can’t be opened.”
- Outlook doesn’t open or freezes when accessing PST file.
- Email, contacts, or calendar entries are lacking or can’t be accessed.
- Delays when opening or navigating inside folders saved in PST file.
Emails present unusual characters or incomplete information.
SEE: How to scan and restore corrupted system information in Windows 11
How can I stop future corruption of PST information?
PST file corruption could be prevented by adopting the next finest practices:
- Keep PST information as small as attainable: Archive outdated emails, delete pointless gadgets, and break up giant PST information into smaller ones.
- Close Outlook efficiently: Click File > Exit and don’t abruptly shut down your laptop whereas it’s working.
- Install the most recent Outlook updates and antivirus software program: Keeping your software program up to date ensures bug fixes, whereas antivirus software program prevents malware that may corrupt PST information.
- Update defective or unreliable {hardware}: These embrace exhausting drives or USB drives for storing PST information.
- Enable automated archiving: AutoArchive reduces the dimensions of the energetic PST file by shifting older gadgets into an archive.
- Do not use PST information to course of giant quantities of knowledge: For instance, frequent imports/exports and huge attachments.
How can I restore PST information with out ScanPST?
You do not essentially want to make use of ScanPST to restore broken information. An various means is to create a brand new PST file after which import the information.
- Go to File > Account Settings > Data Files > Add, then select “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and save the brand new file.
- Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export and choose “Import from one other program or file.” Then, choose “Outlook Data File (.pst)”.
- Browse your broken PST and choose “Do not import duplicates”, then full the wizard to maneuver all recoverable information to the brand new PST file.
You may restore the broken PST file from a latest backup, in case you have one.
Sometimes, the corruption is restricted to sure add-ons or settings, somewhat than the PST file itself. In this case, you possibly can entry your uncorrupted file in Outlook Safe Mode, the place these settings are disabled. Press Windows + R, sort outlook.exe /secure and press Enter to launch it, and when you can entry your information, take into account disabling the problematic add-ons.
Fiona Jackson up to date this text in January 2025.
