How to repair Outlook Inbox folder

If, when you start Outlook (not to be confused with Office 365 Outlook), you receive a error message related to PST files data storage, you will need a special tool to repair stored emails, contacts and other data in PST files.

Fig. 1.1. Microsoft Outlook Bad PST File Error.

By default, Microsoft will instruct you to use the built-in tool (Repair toolón Inbox or ScanPST.exe), which allows you to correct problems with storing data in * .pst files. This article describes how to use this free tool, as well as other paid tools and services.

Here are some examples of errors after which you will need to use the Outlook file recovery tool:

  • Errors have been detected in the file [c: \ .. \ outlook.pst]. Close all mail applications and run the Inbox Repair Tool.
  • The file [c: \ .. \ outlook.pst] is not an Outlook data file (.pst).
  • Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Unable to open Outlook window. Cannot open set of folders. Operation error

Fig. 1.2. Microsoft Outlook Bad PST File Error.

Fig. 1.3. Microsoft Outlook Bad PST File Error.

Fig. 1.4. Microsoft Outlook Bad PST File Error.

How to use Microsoft's Inbox Repair Tool to restore corrupted Outlook * .pst files

Inbox repair tool

First, find the Repair toolóInbox no. in the drive (ScanPST.exe).

To find it, simply look for the ScanPST.exe file on the drive where Microsoft Outlook is installed. Alternatively, you will need to open a folder whose location depends on your version of Outlook.

For example, for Outlook 2003 and earlier versions, the folder could be found at:

  • C: \ Program Files \ Common Files \ System \ Mapi \ 1033
  • C: \ Program Files \ Common Files \ System \ MSMAPI \ 1033

If you are using Outlook 2007 or later versions (2010/2013/2016), the folder could be in:

  • C: \ Program Files \ Microsoft Office \ OfficeXX \
  • C: \ Program Files \ Microsoft Office \ root \ Office16

Find the location of the PST file.

The data storage location in Outlook may vary depending on the version and user customizations. If you use Microsoft Outlook 2007 or earlier versions, the data is stored in the following locations:

C: \ Users \% username% \ AppData \ Local \ Microsoft \ Outlook \

If you use Microsoft Outlook 2010/2013, the data is stored in:

C: \ Users \% username% \ Documents \ Outlook Files \

Additionally, users can specify the location and name of the PST file on the drive where Microsoft Outlook is installed. Even if you don't know this information, you can use Windows Explorer's normal search function (search for * .pst files).

Recovery with ScanPST.exe

How to restore a PST file using the Repair toolóinbox n:

  1. Start the windows explorer
  2. Find the folder where the ScanPST.exe file is located (see paragraph 1 above).
  3. Double click on ScanPST.exe to run it.
  4. Click on "Browse".
  5. Select the PST file you want to repair on the drive (see paragraph 2 above).
  6. Click on "Start".
  7. Wait until the analysis of the file is complete.
  8. Make sure to check the box "Before repairing, back up the scanned file”And specify the location to save a backup copy of the PST file.
  9. Click on "Repair".

Fig. 2. Inbox repair tool. Start the repair function.

When the repair is complete, you will see the message “Repairón complete".

Important: You need to wait until the file repair process is finished. This process can take several hours or even days. The ScanPST tool performs some checks on the source file. Therefore, a backup copy of the file should be created before starting the repair process.

After the scan process is complete, the ScanPST tool will report any errors found in the source file. If you click the button “Details… ”, More information about the errors found and corrected will be displayed.

You can run this function for other files PST damaged.

Now, you can open Outlook and use the repaired database of emails, contacts, appointments, etc. If the folder structure is damaged, ScanPST will create the separate folder “Lost objects"Where you will add all the found emails.

However, there are cases where ScanPST cannot repair the * .pst file.

Other file repair methods

How to recover your data if ScanPST failed to get the desired data?

Microsoft Outlook PST File Repair Options:

1.- Office update

You must update Microsoft Outlook and get the latest version of the software. This procedure is different from a Windows update. Follow these steps:

  • Open any Microsoft Office program (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint or others).
  • Select "File | Account ”in the menu (for version 2010 or later).
  • Click on "Update Options."
  • Select "Update Now" from the drop-down menu

Fig. 3. Microsoft Office update.

  • Download and install all updates.
  • Restart your computer.

2.- If you use an older version

If you are using an older version of Outlook that uses * .pst ASCII files up to 2GB, you can use a special tool: "Tool to crop oversized PST and OST files". Here are instructions on how to use the tool: https://support.microsoft.com/es-es/help/296088/oversized-pst-and-ost-crop-tool

This solution can be used only for * .pst files of the old format used with Outlook 97-2003.

3.- Use a payment service

You can use the paid service to repair * .pst or * .ost files on this website: https://outlook.recoverytoolbox.com/online/es/

Fig. 4.1. Outlook repair service. Corrupted PST file data entry.

Users of this service must follow this procedure:

  • Select the file on the disk drive.
  • Enter your email address
  • Complete the CAPTCHA of an image
  • Doing click en "Next step".

The corrupted file will then be uploaded to the service for repair.

Fig. 4.2. Outlook repair service. Corrupted PST file repair process.

When the PST file repair process is completed, the service will inform the user how many emails, contacts, appointments, notifications and other objects were repaired.

Fig. 4.3. Outlook repair service. Information about the data recovered from PST file.

The folder structure of the repaired PST file will also be displayed:

Fig. 4.4. Outlook repair service. Information about the folder structure of the repaired PST file.

When the user has paid for the service (the cost is $ 10 for every 1GB of the source file), they will receive a download link for the repaired PST file. The user will need to download the PST file and open it as a new PST file in Outlook.

You will need to remove the corrupted PST file from the Outlook profile and if necessary set the new file as the default.

Advantages of the online service for Outlook file repair:

  • You do not need to install Microsoft Outlook (or have it installed).
  • It is compatible with almost all devices and systems: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and others.
  • Reduced price per file repaired.

Disadvantages of online Outlook file repair service:

  • The process of uploading and downloading large files takes a long time to complete.
  • Violation of the data storage confidentiality policy as files are stored in the service for 30 days

4.- User Recovery Toolbox for Outlook

Use Recovery Toolbox for Outlook, a special program to repair * .pst / *. ost files: https://outlook.recoverytoolbox.com/es/

Fig. 5. Recovery Toolbox for Outlook. Selection of damaged PST file.

Follow these steps:

  1. Download the program from here and install it: https://recoverytoolbox.com/download/RecoveryToolboxForOutlookInstall.exe
  2. Start Recovery Toolbox for Outlook.
  3. Select or find the corrupted PST / OST file on the drive.
  4. Select "Recovery Mode" (recovery modeónot).
  5. Start the analysis of the source file.
  6. View and select the repaired emails, contacts, appointments and folders you want to save.
  7. Select the location where you want to save the data.
  8. Save as PST file.
  9. Save the file.

Advantages of paid Outlook PST file repair service:

  • Keep the data confidential.
  • The tool allows you to save an unlimited number of files, regardless of their size.
  • Ability to save repaired data as MSD, EML, and VCF files for export to other programs.
  • Ability to select the repaired data you want to save. You can select a folder, an email, or a group of emails or contacts that you want to save.
  • Additional function to convert OST files to PST.
  • Forensic mode to recover deleted emails, files, contacts and other items from source PST file.
  • Integrated search for files on the drive.
  • Online messages with the description of the program's operation.
  • Multilingual interface (14 main languages).

Disadvantages Recovery Toolbox for Outlook:

  • It is expensive if you only need to repair a small file: $ 50.
  • It is only compatible with Windows.
  • You must have Microsoft Outlook installed.
  • It is not compatible with Office 365 Outlook.

Summary: Follow these steps if you have a corrupted PST file:

  1. Examine and repair with Repair toolóinbox n (ScanPST.exe).
  2. Download and install the latest Microsoft Office updates.

If the steps in paragraphs i and ii did not help and you have a small file up to 4 GB, use the online repair service: https://outlook.recoverytoolbox.com/online/es/

In other cases, use Recovery Toolbox for Outlook: https://outlook.recoverytoolbox.com/es/


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