Problems like system crashes, sudden shutdowns, or profile issues can corrupt the OST file, causing Outlook to display sync errors or lose access to your data. Although Outlook lets you recreate the file, doing so may result in the loss of any unsynced changes. You can usually repair a damaged .pst file using file repair software, but you might even be able to fix it using MS Outlook’s built-in capabilities. Like any type of data file, it’s possible for a .pst file to get corrupted. This might happen with a large .pst file that exceeds the size limit due to third-party add-ins or apps.

Repair your .pst file quickly with our proven tool

The folders might just be empty and redundant, or they might contain recovered data that Outlook couldn’t place in its original locations. The Inbox Repair Tool is an in-built utility from Microsoft to overcome the Outlook PST file corruption issues. Users can Troubleshoot Office 365 Sync and Login Issues fix Outlook PST files using this utility, but firstly you need to locate the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe) in their system. We are going to share a table below with the default location of this utility for different Outlook versions, like Outlook 2010, 2013, or 2019. In addition, it turns into leading Outlook errors, which might affect overall productivity and efficiency and can increase downtime. Therefore, users should put some effective solutions into action to deal with inaccessible or damaged PST files as soon as they encounter Outlook issues.

Step 1 - Exit Outlook and start the Inbox Repair tool

Use the Browse button to  choose the Outlook Data File (.pst) you need to scan — find the file based on work offline mode stuck the locations in step 2 above. This utility is not the professionals’ recommendation, as it comes with a lot of drawbacks. Before implementing this method to fix Outlook PST files, read its limitations for more insight.

Situations When You Need to Repair Outlook Data File Without SCANPST

Two methods, manual and professional will be explained fix Outlook after Windows update issues here along with their stepwise working procedure to fix Outlook data files or Personal Storage Table (PST). The manual solution will uncover the step by step guide on the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe). Let’s start learning from the basics of how to fix corrupted Outlook PST files. Whether you are a Microsoft Outlook, Exchange or Office 365 user, you may come across or encounter the PST files. These Outlook data (PST) files store user’s data, including email messages, calendars, tasks, journals, etc. You can try any of the methods listed above to rebuild the PST file.

Locating the Outlook Data Files

• In addition, this software has a straightforward GUI, so every user will be able to fix PST files without hassle.
• Whether you are a Microsoft Outlook, Exchange or Office 365 user, you may come across or encounter the PST files.
• For instructions about how to unhide files and folders, see your operating system documentation.
• Each user can have particular reasons for corrupting their PST files.
• No validation is explicitly done on body-related properties or on subject-related properties, except the implicit low-level validation that this article discusses earlier.
• Then, you can move the recovered items to your new Personal Folders (.pst) file.
• The Inbox Repair tool creates a backup file with the same name as the original, but with a .bak extension, and saves it in the same folder.

If you’ve tried Outlook’s recovery tool with no luck, it might be time to consider something more powerful. If you can open the original Outlook Data File, you might be able to recover additional items. The Inbox Repair tool creates a backup file with the same name as the original, but with a .bak extension, and saves it in the same folder. There may be items in the backup file that you might be able to recover that the Inbox Repair tool couldn't. This guide walks you through the steps to rebuild OST files in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010—using both manual methods and EdbMails for secure recovery.

Shortcomings of the Inbox Repair Tool

After you’ve located the ScanPST.exe tool, proceed with the following instructions to fix your Outlook data file (PST). If you want to fix PST files using this tool, make sure to have a proper backup of the Outlook PST before processing. Navigate to the location of the PST file, then cut and paste it into a different folder.