Summary:
The integrity of Microsoft Outlook’s PST (Personal Storage Table) file is crucial for its proper functioning. Since this file is responsible for storing vital mailbox data like emails, calendar items, contacts, etc. locally, any corruption in the PST file can be a stressful situation for the user. In this resource, we will discuss the reasons for PST file corruption as well as how to open corrupt PST file.
Introduction
Microsoft Outlook is globally acclaimed for its robust features, which is why it is widely used as an email client by businesses and individuals. It uses two file formats—OST (Offline Storage Table) and PST (Personal Storage Table)—to manage and store its data as well as to ensure its hassle-free operations. However, in some cases, the user frequently encountered an error message: corruption in the PST (Personal Storage Table) file. In this scenario, the user neither accesses the mailbox data nor sends nor receives new messages, leading to frustration and a loss of productive time.
Needless to say, in such a scenario, the integrity of your vital data files go for a toss. Therefore, it is important to know how to repair the corrupt file and minimize the possibility of data loss. This post aims to disseminate information regarding the possible reasons for PST file corruption. In this resource, we will also discuss several methods to repair corrupt PST files using the Inbox Repair Tool, or Scanpst.exe. We will also discuss a more convenient method to fix corruption issues in the PST file employing PST recovery software like Stellar Repair for Outlook.
Decoding PST Files and Their Importance:
PST files are the main pillars of seamless Outlook functioning. These data files are the repositories to store mailbox data that includes not only emails but also contacts, tasks, calendar entries, and other important data.
The integrity of the Outlook PST file is of utmost importance for users. Any corruption issue with the PST file means access to vital emails, contacts, tasks, and calendar events may be put at risk. This situation may result in data loss, a nightmare for every user.
Understanding Reasons for PST File Corruption:
PST file corruption can prove to be a stressful situation for the Outlook user. In this section, we will discuss possible reasons for a corrupt PST file. Some reasons for this issue are listed below:
Oversized PST File: When the OST (Offline Storage Table) file exceeds its limit, it causes corruption. Like in the case of older Outlook versions (pre-Outlook 2003), the PST file size limit was 2 GB for ANSI format. Although newer versions support the Unicode format and have larger size limits, the problem of large PST files still haunts them.
System Crashes: Sudden system shutdown, whether forced or accidental, while updating the PST file can result in PST file corruption.
Forced Outlook Shutdown: Outlook termination in an improper manner can result in PST file corruption. When we close Outlook abruptly, we don’t provide ample time to Outlook to save changes to the PST file, potentially leading to corruption.
Network Issues: Connectivity issues in the network or file sharing processes may damage PST files stores on servers or network drives.
Malware Attack: Sometimes virus or malware infections can alter the content and cause integrity issues in the PST file.
Conflicts with Add-inn: To enhance the operational productivity of the Outlook, users install third-party plugins or add-inn. Sometimes, these add-inns conflict with the default functioning of Outlook, causing error and corruption issues in the PST file.
Hardware Errors: Issues in the system hardware like a failing hard drive or faulty RAM can also cause PST file corruption issues.
Irregular Backup Process: The user needs to take regular backups of data files to ensure data security as well as the proper functioning of Outlook. Failing to follow this regular backup procedure will risk PST file corruption and data loss.
System or Outlook Updates: In some cases, updates in Outlook or the operating system can cause compatibility issues, ultimately leading to PST file corruption.
Implications of a Corrupt PST File:
As said earlier, the PST file holds paramount importance for the proper functioning of Outlook. If any issue with the integrity of the PST file arises, it may hamper Outlook’s operations and cause issues like crashes, email inaccessibility, etc. It is advisable to follow proper procedures so as to minimise the possibility of a PST file corruption issue, thus ensuring the safety of crucial data.
Best Practices to Prevent PST File Corruption:
‘Prevention is better than cure’ is the old golden rule. We must take proper actions to prevent corruption issues in our PST files. In this section, we will discuss some preventive measures against corruption issues in the PST file. Some of such measures are listed below:
PST Files Backup: It is one of the best preventive measures against PST file corruption. When we take regular backups of the PST files, we ensure that the latest copy of the data file is available in case any corruption issue arises.
Antivirus Update: We must install regular updates of antivirus solutions to protect PST files from malware attacks that may lead to corruption.
Hardware Maintenance: Regular audits of system hardware devices like disk, storage devices, etc. can prevent corruption arising from hardware issues.
Email Attachment Monitoring: Sometimes email attachments contain viruses. We must scan the attachments for malware before actually downloading them.
Legitimate Add-inns Only: We must take proper caution while installing third-party add-inn to enhance Outlook’s operational functionality. We must ensure that only authorized plugins compatible with your Outlook version are installed to prevent corruption issues.
Disk Monitoring: One of the possible reasons of corruption in PST file is inadequate disk space. Proper monitoring of available disk space where the PST file is stored can help preventing corruption issues.
Archiving Data Files: It is always better to archive ageing PST files as a preventive measure against corruption.
How to Repair a Corrupt PST File?
In this section, we will discuss some possible solutions to repair a corrupt PST file. We will discuss how to use the Inbox Repair Tool, or Scanpst.exe, to fix this issue. Alternatively, we can also employ third-party PST recovery software to troubleshoot this error. The step-by-step guide is mentioned below:
Fix 1: Repair Utilizing the Inbox Repair Tool or ScanPST.exe:
Microsoft Outlook is equipped with a built-in utility called ScanPST.exe or the Inbox Repair Tool to address issues related to Outlook’s operations. This free tool can also repair a corrupt or damaged PST file. Follow the below steps:
- Shutdown the Outlook
- Press Windows + R; and in the search bar write %programfiles%/Microsoft Office/; and then press Enter
- Browse to one of the following file locations:
- --Outlook 2019: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
- --Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
- --Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
- Open the folder and then locate ScanPST.exe
- Launch the program by double clicking the folder
- Click ‘Browse’ to choose the .pst file you want to scan
- Select ‘Start’ to initiate the Outlook data file scanning process
- Once the scanning process is over, the or ScanPST will display the errors and inconsistencies in the file
- If the scan discovers errors, select ‘Repair’ to start the process to fix them
- Once the ‘Repair’ process is over, you can close the ScanPST program and launch Outlook
- Now after a successful ‘Repair’ process, you are able to access your emails and send/receive new emails
Fix 2: Employing PST Recovery Software:
There are certain circumstances where the Inbox Repair Tool may fail to repair a damaged PST file, like a large or severely corrupt file or a file with a virus or malware infection. In such a stressful situation, we can employ some PST recovery software to address the issue of PST file corruption. Stellar Repair for Outlook is highly-acclaimed, recommended software that is powered with some advanced features. It is available in three versions--Professional, Technician and Toolkit versions.
Salient Features:
- Efficiently repair corrupt Outlook PST data files
- Capable of recovering all mailbox items
- Recovers the deleted emails
- Offers an advanced filter option to include/exclude emails
- Offers multiple file saving options like PST, EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF formats
- Exports the recovered PST to Office 365—Technician Version
- Exports the recovered PST to Live Exchange Server—Technician Version
- Splits and compacts the restored PST file—Technician Version
- Exports contacts in CSV--Toolkit Version
- Merges multiple PST files--Toolkit Version
- Improved scanning and saving speed--Toolkit Version
Wrap UP:
PST (Personal Storage Table) files are one of the two data file formats used by Microsoft Outlook to store and manage mailbox data. Although PST files are pivotal for hassle-free operations in Outlook, these files are not immune to corruption and other issues. In the above post, we have explored the varied reasons behind PST file corruption and its implications. We have also discussed best practices to prevent some corruption issues in the PST files.
The above post also answers your popular query, ‘How to open corrupt PST file?’ We have discussed how to repair a damaged PST file using the Inbox Repair Tool, or ScanPST.exe. Unfortunately, in some cases, this free tool fails to troubleshoot Outlook data file corruption issues and gives errors. To maintain the integrity of the corrupted files and to prevent the crucial data stored in them, we can use expert recommended PST recovery software like Stellar Repair for Outlook. This specialized tool is powered with advanced features to restore even severely-corrupted file in the original format without altering the data. It can recover all mailbox data ranging from emails, attachments and contacts to calendars and task list.
