PST File Repair | How to Repair corrupt PST files

.PST file is a personal storage table file which is used to store information such as email messages, calendar events, contacts and other such items used in Microsoft programs like Outlook and Windows Messaging. This type of file is created when the message or other information is moved from the exchange server to a computer’s hard drive. .PST files are used to conserve space on the exchange server; the information is still available within your program but now pulls from your hard drive rather than the server. This means that your allotted space on the server has less counting against its maximum.

These files can only be used by Microsoft specific programs, as third party programs are unable to read them directly. However, many third party programs have the ability to import information from a .PST file using a MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface).

Repairing a .PST file can be accomplished in several ways. Programs that use .PST files, such as Outlook, have built-in repair tools to repair corrupted .PST files. The most efficient way to use this tool is by using the Run command. Enter your drive followed by “Programfiles/commonfiles/system/mapi/1033/scanpst.exe” Click open to run the file and follow the tool’s instructions. If unable to correct the file in this manner, try using a back-up of your .PST file by changing it from a back-up to your primary .PST file.

Should none of the built provisions succeed in repairing your corrupted .PST file, there is .PST recovery software available for download on the internet. While all these programs do cost money you can get a free trial to test the product out first. This will ensure the software works before you have to make the purchase of the program. The cost of the software for most people is well worth getting the data back.

When dealing with .PST files, it is important to keep regular back-ups of the file in case the file cannot be repaired. Normally, the error in your .PST file will be simple and able to be corrected with the built-in repair too. However, there may be a case where the file cannot be repaired for free and that is where third party tools come into play.

As you can tell by now you need to start making regular backups of your pst file. Check out our How to Backup Outlook PST files page for free tips and methods on backing up this important file.

If you have worked with Microsoft Office products such as Outlook on a regular basis, then you may have some passing familiarity with PST files. “PST” stands for “Personal Storage Table”, a file format used by Outlook and other Microsoft Office products in order to store important data information. Not only does this include e-mail messages from Microsoft Exchange mail boxes, but also calendar items and other task items. Outlook PST files are often stored locally on the user’s hard drive, but these files can also be transported across and stored on remote network servers.

The most common issue regarding PST files is that they tend to become corrupt or damaged. It is possible to fix Outlook PST files using a variety of methods, depending on the severity of the damage. The first task is to find out where your PST files are stored. By default, they can be found in “C:Documents and SettingsUSER Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook”. Be sure to substitute your Windows login screen name for USER when typing in this directory. The default filename for your PST file that is hosting your current mail box is Outlook.pst. There is also an archive file available, known as Archive.pst. There is no way of telling if a PST file is corrupt based on visual inspection. When Outlook is opened, the program will inform you of any corrupt data that needs to be repaired.

Microsoft Outlook comes with an automatic repair method and an external repair kit for fixing Outlook PST files. When Outlook is opened, the program will notify you of this problem, and then attempt to fix the PST file automatically. Before trying the manual method, it is best to let Outlook attempt an automatic repair of the damaged or corrupt PST file. In the event that the automatic repair fails to fix the Outlook PST file, you will have to open the Inbox Repair Tool located in “C:Program FilesCommon FilesSystemMSMAPI1033” and search for the Inbox Repair Tool, under the filename Scanpst.exe.

The Inbox Repair Tool is an external executable program that scans and repairs corrupt or damaged PST files. To start this program, double click on the Scanpst.exe executable. A window will pop up, asking you to browse and enter the name of the Outlook PST file that needs to be repaired. Once this is done, start the Inbox Repair Tool scan and repair procedure. If the PST file is too corrupted or damaged, the Inbox Repair Tool may not be able to fix the Outlook PST file, requiring other third-party solutions. If the Inbox Repair Tool cannot be found in the specified location, find and run CNFNOT32.exe, which should be in the same location that Scanpst.exe should be located. This will restore the executable back to the proper location.

The free inbox repair tool works great at resolving header issues but it will not work to recover other corrupt types of PST files.  Always be sure to make a backup of your corrupt pst file before you attempt the repair with this tool.  Yes I already know the file is already corrupted but you do not want to risk making matters worse.  This is the best way to ensure you do not make things worse.

If this tool does not fully resolve your issue, then you have some other options left.  We recommend you download and run this Outlook PST Repair program.  It is one of the leading PST recovery programs out there and you do not have to purchase the product to run a scan and see if it can recover your PST file.