How to Open Corrupted PST File Best Free Method?
Overview: Microsoft Outlook is a common email client. Therefore, one can say that PST files are the basic data storage files in Outlook. It is because of all sorts of data such as emails, contacts, and calendars, get stored in them. However, there is a possibility that the PST files get corrupted due to conditions such as sudden shutdowns of the system due to some faults, virus attacks, oversized PST files, etc. So when that happens, access to the most important data would seem like a nightmare in its own right. This article would guide you in the process of how to open a corrupted PST file to regain all your valuable data.
What Do You Mean by PST File Corruption?
Don’t forget to understand all the reasons for PST corruption before getting into the solution. Generic probable causes are:
Large File Size: PST files have a defined maximum size limit. If any PST file exceeds this threshold, it may go obsolete.
Improper Shutdown: Sometimes sudden power failure or a system crash can cause interruption while performing file operations.
Virus or Malware: These might damage the PST files.
Software Conflicts: Some add-ins or software incompatibilities can sometimes create corruption.
Network Issue: In fact, quite a number of corruption cases with PST files go unnoticed until the file is accessed over a network.
Now, we know the reasons for PST corruption so it is easy for us to understand the fixing process.
How to Open Corrupted PST File?
Well to open the corrupted PST file first you have to remove the corruption from the PST file. And here in this section, we are going to discuss how to remove corruption from the PST files.
As we said corruption of PST files is one of the most common issues with Outlook data files. Hence, Outlook has provided the Inbox Repair Tool to remove corruption from the Outlook PST file. ScanPST is the utility that provides an option to remove corruption from Outlook PST files.
Now, in order to use this tool first, you have to find the right location of ScanPST. Because it is different in every Outlook version. But to make the thing easier below we have mentioned all the location paths of ScanPST according to the Outlook version.
Outlook 2019 & 2016:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
Outlook 2013:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
Outlook 2010:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
Outlook 2007:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
Once you’ve located the Sacnpst.exe utility, you’ve completed half of the job. Now all you have to do is run the program and repair the damaged Outlook data file. To do so, simply follow the instructions below:
1. To start the Scanpst.exe application, first, double-click on exe.
2. Then, to browse your PST file, click the Browse option.
3. To begin the procedure, click the Start button after the file has been uploaded.
4. Scanpst.exe began the scanning process, and once the issue has been identified, click the Repair option to begin the repair procedure.
1. Use the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe)
The Inbox Repair Tool is also known as ScanPST.exe. This utility is available from Microsoft for the repair of PST files. Here is how to use this utility:
Step 1. Locate ScanPST.exe on the computer. It is usually found in the Outlook installation directory.
Step 2. Running the ScanPST.exe, point it to your corrupted PST location.
Step 3. Click Start to begin the scan.
Step 4. Click Repair to fix if some errors are found.
Step 5. Now after the repair, you open the Outlook and check if the PST file is accessible.
Limitation of the ScanPST.exe
Restore the Header Section- The application’s initial restriction is that it can only restore modest amounts of damage. Furthermore, it only fixes the Outlook PST file’s header when restoring a damaged file.
Password-Protected PST –Password-protected PST files are not recoverable using Outlook repair tools. As a result, consumers must search for an alternative to Outlook ScanPST.
File Size Restrictions- One of ScanPST most critical constraints is the file size restrictions. As, its speed declines or the operation is interrupted in the middle of your Outlook PST file is more than 2 GB and it only works with smaller files.
2. Create a New PST File and Import Data
If the Inbox Repair Tool does not work out for you, then you can create a new PST file and import the data from the corrupted file as instructed below:
Step 1. Start with opening Outlook and go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
Step 2. Next, select “Export to a file” and click on Next.
Step 3. Then, select “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and click Next.
Step 4. Now, choose the desired folders that need to be exported and click on Finish.
Step 5. Prepare a new PST file and import the data from the newly created file.
Preventive Measures to Avoid PST File Corruption
Although it’s essential, knowing how to open a corrupted PST file is equally important in measures to avoid corrupting it as follows:
Backup: Backup PST files daily into the external hard drive and online cloud storage for free.
Size Control: Keep the PST files within the limit set for it- as per the recommended size for older versions generally up to 2GB and for newer versions around 50GB.
Antivirus Software: Download reputed antivirus software to secure your systems against threats.
Proper Shutdown: Always shut down the system properly to prevent any files from being corrupted.
Avoid Network Access: Try not to access any PST files over a network, if possible, as this may give rise to file corruption risk.
Best Way to Open Corrupted PST File – Automated Tool
Well, the above method to remove corruption from Outlook PST is nice but as we see ScanPST has its own limitation which sometimes becomes very frustrating. Now, to make the task easy, here in this section we are going to introduce one of the best tools to remove corruption from PST files.
Outlook PST File Repair is the best software that easily removes corruption from Outlook PST files. Also, the tool provides various options to export the PST after recovery. Using this tool one can easily recover deleted contacts, emails, calendar items, and other Outlook data items.
Conclusion
Dealing with corrupted PST files is stressful. But, it can be eased and data recovery can be successful when one has well-known tools and techniques. It does not matter whether one uses built-in tools like Inbox Repair Tool or third-party applications such as Outlook PST File Repair Software. Opening a corrupted PST file is an important step every Outlook user should take. Most importantly, this article presents preventive measures that would save the user from ever experiencing future corruption, thus securing that very important data.
