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At a higher level, the more visible changes that you see involve folders and messages. If ScanPST determines that a specific block of the structure or table is unreadable or corrupted, ScanPST removes it. If that block was part of a specific item in Outlook, the item will be removed when it is validated. It is located in the folder of your original Personal Folders (.pst) repair corrupted OST in Outlook file. For instructions about how to unhide files and folders, see your operating system documentation.
Common Causes That Led To PST File Corruption
- This might happen with a large .pst file that exceeds the size limit due to third-party add-ins or apps.
- If it does not work, then unfortunately, you will be unable to recover any additional information.
- For example, it can’t help if your file was permanently deleted or corrupted beyond its repair abilities.
- Additionally, this tool’s demo version can be accessed freely to get deeper clarity on its features and functionality.
- Outlook Data files (.pst) can be corrupted due to numerous reasons as stated above.
- The Inbox Repair Tool is an in-built utility from Microsoft to overcome the Outlook PST file corruption issues.
- The first is to repair PST free and the second is via a professional tool.
- If you cannot import the Newname.pst file into Outlook, unfortunately you have lost all the information that is not in the Lost and Found folder.
If you’re dealing with a corrupt .pst file, the very first step you should take is using the Inbox Repair tool (SCANPST.EXE). You can usually repair a damaged .pst file using file repair software, but you might Fix Outlook Not Opening After Windows Update even be able to fix it using MS Outlook’s built-in capabilities. If you do not know where the .pst file is located, follow the steps in How to locate, move, or back up your .pst file.
Automatically start the Inbox Repair tool
In a situation like that, you might need to try another solution, like a more powerful third-party tool. Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms. He is an expert Troubleshoot Office 365 Sync and Login Issues Tech Explainer, IoT enthusiast, and a passionate nerd with over 7 years of experience in technical writing. He writes about Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft 365, Email Migration, Linux, Windows, Mac, DIY Tech, and Smart Home. Ravi spends most of his weekends working with IoT (DIY Smart Home) devices and playing Overwatch.
Follow the step-by-step guide to fix the Corrupt PST file:
These Outlook data (PST) files store user’s data, including email messages, calendars, tasks, journals, etc. After you run the Inbox Repair tool, you can start Outlook and recover repaired items. Optionally, you can try to recover additional repaired items from the backup personal folder.
What to do when you can’t repair the .pst file with SCANPST.EXE
You can try any of the methods listed above to rebuild the PST file. Using the software, you can repair and rebuild a PST file of any size, irrespective of the cause of corruption. Unlike the SCANPST tool, it won’t crash halfway if the corruption level is high or file is large. ScanPST mostly validates and corrects errors in the internal data structures of a .pst file. Therefore, structures such as BTrees and reference counts, are checked and repaired as necessary. These low-level objects have no knowledge of the upper-level structures, such as messages, calendar items, and so on, that are built upon them.


This blog specified four different manual ways to repair Outlook data files. Therefore, using a professional tool is an effective solution. The best solution to avoid manual challenges and complete this task effectively is the Shoviv Outlook PST Repair Tool.