How to Repair PST File? Complete Solution

Why do PST Files get Damaged or Corrupted?

A PST (Personal Storage Table) files are damaged or corrupted due to several reasons, such as software usage, hardware damage, or file size. The following factors commonly hampered them:

• The file size may be too large, i.e., PST files often become oversized.
• An outlook bug or software error can corrupt the file or affect its data integrity.
• A corrupted hard drive can cause loss of data and files.
• Unexpected power failure or system damage while Outlook is running on the system.
• A virus in the software may attack, modify, or encrypt PST files and damage data.

Manual Methods to Repair Outlook PST Files

There are two manual ways through which you can repair your PST files. Below, both are discussed with steps:

Method 1: Using the Import/Export

To repair your PST file, make sure to create a new PST file in Outlook. Then start importing data from the old one to the new one. 

Steps to Repair PST File

1. First, create a new PST file in Outlook.
2. Then, under File >> Open and Export, choose Import/Export.
3. Further, choose PST after selecting “Import from another program or file.”
4. Lastly, examine the corrupted file and import information into a new one. 

Method 2: Using the SCANPST

SCANPST, also known as the Inbox Repair Tool, repairs Outlook PST files. It also restores the files to their previous state. Its benefits are:

• Easy-to-use tool for beginners.
• Outlook is already installed and gives you free access to its features.
• Effective in fixing minor PST file errors and inconsistencies.

Steps to Repair PST File

1. Initially, make sure MS Outlook is closed and not running in the background.
2. Then, navigate to (C:\Program Files \Microsoft Office\root\Office [Version]) on your system.
3. Search for SCANPST.EXE and double-click it to run the program.
4. Further, click Browse to locate and add the damaged PST file.
5. After that, click Start to initiate the scanning procedure of the added file.
6. If errors are found, click Make backup of scanned file before repairing and click Repair. Once done, click OK.

You have finished the process to repair Outlook data without SCANPST. While performing the manual methods, you may face some difficulties. The reasons are discussed below:

• It is not able to completely recover deleted or missing Outlook items or emails.
• You must have technical knowledge to perform this method.
• It is a lengthy and time-consuming process.

Advanced Method to Repair Outlook PST Files

To recover PST file with accuracy, you can use the SysInfo PST File Recovery Tool. It will allow you to restore the personal folder in Outlook. It recovers all Outlook email items, such as emails, calendar, contacts, and tasks, from a corrupted PST file directory. The benefits of these tools are discussed below:

• It supports PST files created by different versions of Microsoft Outlook.
• This will maintain the folder hierarchy during the recovery of PST files.
• Allows you to handle the alignment error of selected PST files.
• It has a fast scanning speed and different recovery modes.
• PST files can be saved in multiple file formats like EML, MSG, and MBOX.

Steps to Repair PST Files

1. First, download & install SysInfo OST Recovery Tool.
2. Then, launch it on the system and click on the Open button.
3. Add the corrupted files to repair and select Standard/Advanced/Deep Mode.
4. After scanning completion, select the folder to download and click Save.
5. Finally, choose PST as a file option and click OK.

Pro Tips: Always take regular backups of the PST file to avoid losing data. It is advised to close Outlook properly before shutting down the computer. Instead of a network device, store PST to your local device.

Conclusion

Here, we discussed the problem users faced and how they overcame it with the best solution. In this blog, we talked about two methods: the manual method and the advanced method, with their limitations and benefits. SysInfo PST Recovery Tool is a risk-free solution that gets all the data without loss. It repairs PST files with additional features that make your recovery fast and efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

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