Are you facing issues
while opening emails in Windows outlook? Have you faced problems opening
outlook for Windows? Does outlook give error message related to pst database
corruption at startup?
Outlook for Windows
also provides an Inbox repair tool (Scanpst.exe) to repair and recover
corrupted items in email database just like Outlook for Mac has an option to
rebuild database. Scanpst.exe analyzes the selected pst file for possible
corruption in directory structure and item headers and try to recover them. It
can also convert an uncountable pst file into a mountable one. For example if
the file header gets corrupt and outlook no longer recognizes the pst files,
running scanpst on this file will result into repair of header and outlook will
start recognizing the file as a pst file. It also creates a backup of original
pst file in case of any issues in repaired pst file. So, scanpst should be the
first repair option in case of any issues with outlook pst files.
Note: Scanpst is an offline scanning tool and
does not scan your online mailbox being synchronized using imap or exchange.
You may follow the
steps below to scan the pst file for probable corruptions and their repairs:
Note: Though, scanpst will take a backup of
original pst file, still it is recommended to backup pst at a separate
location.
- Exit outlook if not already
- Follow the steps given in
article: How to view Hidden Files and Folders or protected operating system files in Windows to locate hidden files and folders
- Now search for Scanpst in the
Windows drive or in drive where outlook is installed
- Doubleclick on Scanpst.exe to
run the tool
- Click on Browse to locate the
pst file with issues
- Click on Options for various
scan log options
- Click Start to scan pst file
for errors
- Upon completion if the tool
found any errors, it will prompt you to start the repair to fix the errors
- You may specify the location to
save original pst file backup
- Click on Repair to perform repairs
- Open outlook and add the
repaired pst file using add data file
- The pst file will appear under
navigation pane
- Under pst data file you will
see the folder list with Recovered folder
- There would be a Lost and found folder with containing recovered items
- You may create a new pst file and drag recovered items in it.