How to Fix a Microsoft Outlook PST or OST file

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You’re running into mistakes or problems in Microsoft Outlook and presume the problem might be due to corruption in your personal folder file, which houses all your email and other material. To help track down the cause of the problem, Microsoft provides the built-in Inbox Repair tool, also known as ScanPST.

SEE: Windows, Linux, and Mac Commands Everyone Requirements to Know (totally free PDF) (TechRepublic)

The ScanPST tool can scan an Individual Storage Table, PST, or Offline Storage Table, OST, file to diagnose and repair mistakes in the file. These file formats are utilized in Outlook to keep information in your area for personal backups and offline access, respectively. If the tool discovers any corruption, it provides to repair the mistakes. Here’s how it works.

Before it tries to fix a file, the tool instantly produces a backup. However, you may want to have your own backup as an additional security preventative measure. To discover the place of the PST or OST file, open Outlook and click the File menu. Click the button for Account Settings and after that select the command for Account Settings.

Outlook Account Settings. Image: TechRepublic At the Account Settings window, click the tab for Data Files. Examine the path for the file you wish to scan and open it in File Explorer. Close Outlook. Then, just develop a backup copy of the file. If you bump into a mistake about the file being locked when attempting to back it up, guarantee Outlook and any applications that use or incorporate with Outlook are closed. If needed, open Job Manager to look for any programs that need to be shut down. Using Task Manage to deal with an error when backing up your data file. Image: TechRepublic PINBOX: 96019 In File Explorer, search to the folder that contains scanpst.exe to launch the tool. The location differs somewhat based on your flavor of Outlook and whether it’s the 32-bit or 64-bit variation. For the 64-bit variation, start by browsing to C: Program Files Microsoft Office . For the 32-bit variation, browse to C: Program Files (x86) Microsoft Office . From there, drill down to the following places:

Microsoft 365, Outlook 2021, Outlook 2019, and 2016–. root Office16.

Outlook 2013–. Office15

Outlook 2010–. Office14

Outlook 2007–. Office12

If you can not find the file through a specific course in File Explorer, merely look for scanpst.exe. Double-click the file. The window lists the course for the PST or OST file. If it’s indicating the wrong file, click the Browse button and pick the appropriate file.

Using Browse to find the file. Image: TechRepublic With the correct PST or OST file noted, click the Start button. The tool goes through 8 phases. Presuming the file is corrupt, the tool will stop at some time and inform you that it found mistakes in the file. Clicking the Details button may or may not provide more info. In either case, click the Repair button. Click the Repair button. Image: TechRepublic The tool will then display a notice informing you when the repair is total. Click OK. Run the tool again to see if your PST or OST file now passes the test. If additional errors are found, click the Repair button once again. Click the Repair button again. Image: TechRepublic Eventually, the tool might suggest that it has found only small inconsistencies in the file and that fixing it is optional. Instead of fixing it again, you may wish to examine the app’s log file to view the scan outcomes.

To do this, go to the folder containing your PST or OST file. Double-click the log file that starts with the very same name as your mail box. The log file consists of plain text, so you can read it in Notepad or a comparable text editor. Then, open Outlook and try to replicate the behavior that caused the issues in the first location.

If Outlook is working properly, then you’re set. If not, you might wish to try another repair work or think about other reasons for the problems afflicting Outlook.

How can I tell if my PST file is damaged?

Typical signs of damaged PST files consist of:

  • Mistake messages, such as “the file [filename] pst can not be opened.”
  • Outlook fails to open or crashes when accessing the PST file.
  • Emails, contacts, or calendar entries are missing or can not be accessed.
  • Delays when opening or navigating within folders stored in the PST file.

Emails show weird characters or insufficient information.

SEE: How to Scan and Repair Corrupted System Files in Windows 11

How can I prevent future PST file corruption?

PST file corruption can be prevented with the following best practices:

  • Keep PST files as small as possible: Archive old e-mails, delete unneeded items, and divided large PST files into smaller sized ones.
  • Close Outlook correctly: Click File > Exit, and do not closed down your computer suddenly when it’s running.
  • Set up the current Outlook updates and anti-viruses software: Keeping software application up-to-date makes sure bug repairs, while antivirus software prevents malware that can corrupt PST files.
  • Upgrade faulty or unreliable hardware: These include hard disks or USB drives for saving PST files.
  • Enable Auto-Archive: Auto-Archive reduces the size of your active PST file by moving older items to an archive.
  • Do not use PST apply for processing big quantities of data: For example, frequent import/exports and big accessories.

How can I fix PST files without ScanPST?

You don’t always require to use ScanPST to repair damaged files. One alternative way is to develop a brand-new PST file and after that import the data.

  1. Go to Submit > Account Settings > Data Files > Add, then select “Outlook Data File (. pst)” and conserve the new file.
  2. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export and choose “Import from another program or file”. Then, pick ‘Outlook Data File (. pst)’.
  3. Browse your damaged PST and select “Do not import duplicates,” then complete the wizard to move any recoverable information to the brand-new PST file.

You might also bring back from a recent backup of the corrupted PST file if you have one.

In some cases, corruption is restricted to particular add-ins or settings, rather than the PST file itself. In this case, you can access your non-corrupted file in Outlook’s Safe Mode, where such settings are disabled. Press Windows + R, type outlook.exe/ safe, and press Enter to release it, and if you can access your data, think about disabling troublesome add-ins.

Fiona Jackson updated this post in January 2025.

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