If you want to fix PST files using this tool, make sure to have a proper backup of the Outlook PST before processing. 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.

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If it does not work, then unfortunately, you will be unable to recover any additional information. If you could open the file, the following procedure may help you recover additional items from your damaged Personal Folders (.pst) file. You can create a new Outlook Data File and drag the items in the Lost and Found folder into the reset cached Exchange mode new data file. After you've moved all the items, you can remove the Recovered Personal Folders (.pst) file, including the Lost and Found folder. To create a new Outlook Data File, go to Create an Outlook Data File.

Methods to Rebuild an Outlook PST File

You can also move the PST file to a different folder or drive. Navigate to the location of the PST file, then cut and paste it into a different folder. However, deleting the PST file isn’t ideal as you may lose some mailbox items. Here are some methods you can follow to rebuild the Outlook PST file.

Manually start the Inbox Repair tool

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. The recipient display properties are changed to be consistent with the recovered recipient table. As soon as this operation is complete, other algorithms are run to collect all the orphaned messages and to put them in an Orphans folder. If you could not open your original Personal Folders (.pst) file before you ran Inbox Repair Tool, the following procedures may not work.

Locating the Outlook Data Files

Although Outlook lets you recreate the file, doing so may result in the loss of any unsynced changes. 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 even be able to fix it using MS Outlook’s built-in capabilities. Each user can have particular reasons for corrupting their PST files. But, in some cases, a few common reasons are usually present behind Outlook data file corruption. However, the most common ones resolve Outlook not sending emails fast are virus infection, large file size, compatibility issues, improper termination of Outlook, etc.

Automatically start the Inbox Repair tool

• Each user can have particular reasons for corrupting their PST files.
• You can use the Inbox Repair tool (SCANPST.EXE) to diagnose and repair errors in your Outlook data file.
• Users now should be mindful of the common causes why users need to fix Outlook data files (PST).
• 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.
• The Inbox Repair tool or ScanPST.exe is not a convenient way because of multiple restrictions.
• You can also move the PST file to a different folder or drive.
• In a situation like that, you might need to try another solution, like a more powerful third-party tool.

This might happen with a large .pst file that exceeds the size limit due to third-party add-ins or apps. It can also occur if you close Outlook abruptly, or if your file is copied and stored in a way that causes an error, such as on a network drive FixTechGuide Outlook repair tutorial or cloud file location. Here, we will outline two approaches, both manual and professional, to fix corrupt Outlook PST Files. Let’s start by understanding the basics of the repair process. Users now should be mindful of the common causes why users need to fix Outlook data files (PST).



Although the repair process might recreate some of the folders, they may be empty. The Lost and Found folder contains any folders and items recovered by the repair tool that Outlook can't place in their original structure. This post explains how to repair Outlook .pst files using Microsoft’s Inbox Repair tool (SCANPST.EXE), as well as other solutions you can try. It’s saved on your computer, and contains data from your Microsoft Outlook account, like your email messages and other information. Typically, .pst files are used by POP accounts, a type of email account created when you add an email to Outlook from an internet service provider (ISP) like AT&T.