Introduction:
PST stands for Personal Storage Table. These Outlook data files (.pst) store mailbox items like email messages, contacts, events, etc. on the local computer. Often touted as the nucleus of Outlook’s functionality, these files are prone to corruption issues. In such a scenario, the user can’t open the damaged PST file. In addition to this, the user may face circumstances where emails going missing, contacts become unreachable, and other operational issues.
Microsoft Outlook undoubtedly is equipped with robust features, but managing PST files to ensure its flawless operation is a bit challenging. This blog post intends to help you improve your knowledge and skills with PST files. This resource will also narrate about causes of PST file corruption as well as ways to fix corruption issues in these files using Scanpst. We will also explore a professional PST recovery tool that quickly repairs a damaged PST file.
Why Checking PST File Corruption is Essential:
Corruption in PST files is like an avalanche, which starts as a small snowball and eventually turns into a huge monster that can wreak havoc. Similarly, PST file corruption begins as a minor issue but can escalate over time, causing multiple problems in Outlook. Users may experience disappearing emails, issues with the Outlook search feature, missing contacts, and even sudden Outlook crashes.
Even though Outlook is equipped with many security features but it is prone to corruption or other issues. Therefore, it is always better to follow preventive practices to reduce the chances of corruption in these vital files.
Causes of PST File Corruption:
The integrity of PST files is of utmost importance for the Outlook users. But owing to certain reasons, these crucial files get corrupted or damaged. Some main causes of PST file corruption are listed below:
- An Oversized Mailbox Data File: Outlook has set some size limit on its data files and this limit varies different versions. Like file size limit is 50 GB in the Outlook’s 2010 and 2013 versions. If the PST file surpasses this size limit, corruption is inevitable.
- Inappropriate Outlook Termination: If the Outlook shuts down suddenly without following the prescribed procedure, it may lead to corruption issues. It happens because Outlook doesn’t save the modifications made in the PST file.
- Conflicts by Add-ins: Outlook add-ins are used to increase efficiency. But sometimes, these add-ins create functionality issues in Outlook, which ultimately leads to PST file corruption.
- Power Disruption: Sudden power breakdown while Outlook is active can cause irreparable damage to the PST file.
- Network Issues: Any network error can lead to corruption issues to the PST files saved on network drives or servers.
- Old PST Files: Accumulated data and metadata in ageing files can increase the risk of PST file corruption.
- Virus Attack: Malware or virus attack is one of the major reasons of corruption issues in the PST file.
How to Ensure Healthy PST Files:
By following a blend of vigilance and preventive methods, we can avoid corruption issues in PST files. Some of the recommended practices are mentioned below:
- Adhering to Size Limits of Data Files: We must aim to keep the size of data files within prescribed limits set by Outlook, like 50 GB for Outlook 2019.
- Prefer Trusted Tools: Always use tools provided by trusted vendors. Make sure that these tools are compatible with the Outlook functioning.
- Data Backup: It is always better to take regular backup of PST files to avoid data loss in case of unexpected issues.
- An Effective Antivirus: Always select an effective antivirus to shield crucial PST files against virus attack.
- Stay Updated: Make sure that your Windows and Outlook are always updated to prevent any software-related issue that can lead to corruption issues.
- Invest in UPS: Use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to prevent system shutdown owing to power failures.
Methods to Repair a Corrupt PST File:
In this portion of the post, we will discuss methods to resolve corruption issues in the damaged PST file. Below are some of the methods available to repair a corrupt Outlook data file (.pst):
Method 1: Repair using Scanpst: The Inbox Repair Tool or Scanpst is the free utility provided by Microsoft to repair a corrupt PST file. It not only scans the file for errors but also repairs any discovered issues, and aids in the restoration of corrupted data. Follow the below steps to initiate the repair process:
Step 1: Logout from the active Outlook account
Step 2: Locate ScanPST application by searching the following locations:
| Version | Location |
| Office 365\2019\2016: | –For 64-bit Outlook C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16–For 64-bit Outlook C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16–For 32-bit Outlook C:\Program Files(x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16–For 32-bit Windows C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16 |
| Office 2013: | –For 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office15–For 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\office15 |
| Outlook 2010: | –For 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14–For 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14 |
| Outlook 2007: | –For 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12–For 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12 |
(Note: Location of Scanpst depends on different MS Office versions. You can also locate this utility using Windows Search function)
Step 3: Once Scanpst is discovered, double click on it to start the application.
Step 4: Once this utility started, choose the PST file you want to scan/ repair
Step 5: Hit the selected data file, then click Open:
Step 5: Now the selected file started featuring on Window, click ‘Start’ to initiate the scan process.
Step 6: The scan process progress report will be featured on a box window. Scan time depends on the file size, a large file will take longer time and vice-versa.
Step 7: Now scan results will be displayed on a window. Click icon to create a pre-repair backup. After creating the backup file, hit on the ‘Repair’ button to initiate the process.
Step 8: Press ‘OK’ once the repair process is finished.
Step 9: Restart Outlook and reopen the repaired.pst file.
Limitation of Scanpst.exe:
Even though Scanpst is a free built-in utility, but it has some limitations. Some of such limitations are listed below:
- Lengthy Process: Scanpst first scans the corrupted PST file, then diagnoses and repairs the error. Its process is divided in multiple phases that takes lot of time. Also, the Inbox Repair Tool scanning and repairing depends on the size of data file. If the file is large, it will take longer time.
- Encrypted/ Inaccessible File: Scanpst may fail to scan orphaned or inaccessible or encrypted file.
- Large Mailbox Data Files: The Inbox Repair Tool might not be able to diagnose and repair an oversized mailbox data file, and it may freeze in the middle of the repair process.
Method 2: Repairing Using Third-Party Software: In case Scanpst fails to repair damaged PST file, we can use any Outlook PST Repair Tool like Stellar Repair for Outlook. It is loaded with many advanced features to extract the mailbox data by repairing the corrupt PST file. This section explores the benefits of third-party Stellar Repair for Outlook.
Benefits of Stellar Repair for Outlook:
- Free trial version available to preview the recovered corrupt file
- It supports Office 365, Microsoft 365, Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and previous versions
- Available in 3 versions—Professional, Technician and Toolkit
- Can repair even an oversized PST file
- Efficiently recovers mailbox data like email messages, attachments, contacts, etc. from the damaged PST file
- It is loaded with advanced filters option to include/exclude emails
- Saves the mailbox data in PST, EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF file formats
- Splits, compacts the restored PST-Technician
- Exports the converted OST to Live Exchange or O365-ToolkitExports contacts in CSV-Toolkit
- Merges multiple PST files-Toolkit
Conclusion:
The management of Outlook’s PST file is crucial to ensure the flawless functioning of this email client. In the above post, we have discussed that issues in PST files don’t start at once; rather, they accumulate with time and give a sudden shock to the Outlook user in the form of operational issues that range from an inability to open a PST file to an Outlook crash, etc. We have also suggested different proactive ways to maintain the integrity of PST files. The post also mentioned how to repair a corrupt PST file using Scanpst. In addition to this, we have also discussed Stellar Repair for Outlook, a professional PST recovery software that can repair a corrupt PST file quickly. Unlike Scanpst, which has a file size restriction, this tool can repair files of any size. Another advantage is that it can recover all types of mailbox content from the corrupt PST file, like email messages, attachments, contacts, etc. Stellar Repair for Outlook is available in three versions to choose from.
