If you are using Microsoft Outlook as an email client and personal information manager, your data is stored in a PST file. PST (Personal Storage Table) is the main storage file of Microsoft Outlook, which contains all the folders, profile settings, rules, and Outlook configurations. If the PST file gets damaged due to any reason, you can not access the data stored in the file. It leads to critical data loss and requires PST Recovery operation to be performed, if there is no updated backup available.

When your PST file gets damaged, Microsoft Outlook inbuilt utilities can help you to work around corruption, without switching to backup copy of the file. This PST file repair tool is known as Scanpst.exe or Inbox Repair Tool. It is installed on Windows hard drive when you first install Microsoft Outlook application.

When PST file corruption occurs, Outlook does not work properly. You encounter strange behavior of the application and various error message, like:

“Unable to expand the folder. The set of folders could not be opened. Errors could have been detected in the file drive:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.pst. Quit all mail-enabled applications, and then use the Inbox Repair Tool.”

The name of PST file may be different as per your operating system version and Microsoft Outlook version.

How to Repair Corrupt PST File Using Scanpst.exe?

  • Go to Start-> Run.

  • Type drive:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\LocaleID\scanpst.exe in Open box and click OK.

  • In Enter the name of the file you want to scan box, enter file name and path.

  • Click Start button.

  • After successful completion of scan process, select Make a backup of scanning file before repairing option.

  • Click Repair button.

If your PST file is repaired successfully, you see the Repair complete message. However, if the file can not be repaired, in case of external damage to the PST file, PST Recovery becomes need of the hour.

Recovery is best possible using powerful and advanced third-party tools, known as PST Recovery Software. You need not have sound technical skills to use these applications, as they come equipped with simple and rich graphical user interface.

They perform absolute recovery of damaged PST file through powerful and advanced scanning algorithms. The PST Recovery Tools do not alter original contents of the corrupted file due to read-only conduct.

PST File Recovery software repairs and restores corrupted PST file of Microsoft Outlook application in all cases of corruption. It is designed for Microsoft Outlook 2007, 2003, 2002, and 2000. The software restores all PST file items, including emails, notes, attachments, contacts, appointments, and more.