Microsoft Outlook is one of the most successful and dominating email clients all over the world. Users use this email client to manage their emails, contacts, calendars, and events. Moreover, MS Outlook stores all its data in PST file format. However, in a few scenarios, users encounter PST file corruption issues and want a reliable way to repair corrupted Outlook PST files. Before knowing the solutions, let us share that Microsoft also offers ScanPST.exe utility to repair the damaged PST files.
In this blog, we will discuss both manual and professional ways to fix corruption issues in Outlook PST files. After reading this blog, users do not need to find other solutions to repair their Outlook data files. Moreover, users can easily perform the PST file repairing process by understanding the shared solutions below.
Causes behind corrupting the Outlook PST files
It is also important for users to know the reasons behind corrupting Outlook Personal Folder files. By understanding the reasons, users can prevent data corruption risks in the future and continue their business work without any hassle.
- If your PST file holds larger amounts of data, it can lead the Outlook data files to corruption.
- The weak internet connection during the data synchronization can also be one of the reasons behind damaging PST files.
- Users who shut down their system in an abrupt way can also encounter Outlook data file corruption issues.
- Improperly closing Microsoft Outlook can also damage Outlook Personal Storage Table (or PST file).
- In case of virus attacks on users’ systems, this can also damage Outlook data files.
These common causes can corrupt Microsoft Outlook PST files. There can be more reasons behind corrupting PST files, which can be different for individual users.
What are the methods to repair corrupted Outlook data files?
Users can use manual and professional methods to repair corrupted Outlook PST files. In the manual solutions, we will understand two ways: ScanPST.exe (or Inbox Repair Tool) and Microsoft Outlook to repair their damaged Outlook data files. Thereafter, we will introduce professional software to fix the PST file corruption error. So, we advise users to know the stepwise procedure of each solution in the below section to repair their PST files effectively.
Solution 1: Microsoft ScanPST.exe utility (or Inbox Repair Tool)
ScanPST.exe is a built-in utility, also known as Inbox Repair Tool, designed by Microsoft to repair corrupted Personal Folder files. This utility is capable of recovering PST files from minor corruption and errors. To use this utility, users can follow the below steps and repair their Outlook data files.
- First, close Microsoft Outlook and the programs related to it.
- After that, press the Windows + R button and type %programfiles%/Microsoft Office/.
- Then, you need to press the Enter key or tap the OK button.
- Double-click on the Office xx folder (xx: Microsoft Office version, like Office 16.
- Scroll down and locate the ScanPST.exe utility.
- Now, double-click on the ScanPST.exe utility to open it.
- Thereafter, tap the Browse button and choose the corrupted PST file you want to repair.
- After selecting the Outlook data file to process, click the Start button to begin the scanning process.
- Once the scanning process is complete, it will show if the PST file has errors.
- To start the PST file repairing task, hit the Repair button.
- ScanPST.exe will create a backup copy of the corrupted Personal Folders file and begin repairing the original Outlook data file.
- After completing the repairing task, users can close the ScanPST.exe and open their Microsoft Outlook.
If users want to repair minor corruption issues in Outlook data files, ScanPST.exe is the perfect solution. However, users might face challenges in repairing highly corrupted Personal Folder files using this solution.
Solution 2: Using Microsoft Outlook Export/Import Wizard
This is another solution that users can use to repair corrupted Outlook PST files. Here, we will first copy the corrupted PST file to another location and then use the Outlook Export/Import option to repair it. Let us know the steps to use this solution.
- Copy the corrupted PST file that you want to repair.
- The file will be saved as a . BAK extension; change it to. PST format, and open the Outlook program in your system.
- Then, go to the File menu, choose the Open & Export tab, and tap the Export/Import option.
- After that, select the Import from another program or file option and press the Next button.
- In the following step, tap the Outlook Data File (.pst) and continue with the Next.
- Afterward, hit the Browse button and select the copy file of the corrupted PST.
- Then, enable the Do not import duplicates option and press the Next button.
- Select your Microsoft account, tick the ‘Include Subfolders’ checkbox, and proceed by choosing the ‘Import items into the same folder in:’ option.
- After these steps, kindly hit the Finish button to complete the PST file repairing task.
In this solution, users only require Microsoft Outlook to repair Outlook data files. Moreover, this solution doesn’t guarantee repairing the entire data of the Outlook data files effectively. However, users do not need to worry about their corrupted PST files as they can use a professional tool as well for a guaranteed solution to repair corrupted Personal Folders files.
Solution 3: Weeom Outlook PST Repair Tool: An Advanced Solution
If users are dealing with highly corrupted Outlook data files and are unable to fix them using manual solutions. Then, we suggest users repair corrupted Outlook PST files using the Weeom Outlook PST Repair Tool. This solution allows users to process numerous Outlook data files in one go without harming its original hierarchy. It recovers entire data from the Outlook PST files, including emails, calendars, tasks, journals, etc. Moreover, users can save their Outlook data in various file formats, such as MSG, EML, RTF, and many more.
Apart from this, this software has advanced features, like a filter option, incremental backup, etc. Users can easily repair corrupted Outlook PST files, even if they do not have enough technical understanding. Let us now know the steps to repair PST files using the Weeom Outlook PST Repair Tool.
Steps to repair Outlook data files (PST)
- Download and open the Weeom PST Repair Tool on your device.
- Tap the Add PST files tab to choose the corrupted PST file for repair.
- Then, check the Advanced Scan option after adding corrupted PST files to fix.
- Now, choose the Export in PST option in the ribbon to proceed further.
- After that, select whether you want to save the resultant PST file as an existing file or a new one, browse the location, and click the Start button.
- The tool will recover the corrupted data and provide you with the newly repaired PST file.
Moreover, this software permits users to export their PST file data to Office 365 and Live Exchange mailboxes. So, users must try this professional solution if they want to repair corrupted Outlook PST files and manage other PST file-related tasks.
Closing Words
Users can have a lot of factors behind corrupting the Outlook Personal Folders file, making PST file data inaccessible, and can create problems in sending or receiving emails. Therefore, users should take immediate action to repair corrupted Outlook PST files. Moreover, the manual methods may fail to resolve highly corrupted PST file errors. So, Weeom Outlook PST Repair Tool is a great choice for users. Also, users do not need any technical knowledge if they want to use this solution to repair Outlook data files. To know this tool better before purchasing, users can try its free trial version in their system.