Microsoft provides Inbox Repair Tool for fixing corruption problems that might exist with an Outlook Personal Folder (.pst file). This tool can be started by an associated program file- 'Scanpst.exe', which is a hidden file located in 'Program Files' folder of your Windows computer. Running this utility against a corrupted PST initiates a number of tests and asks you to backup the file on finding errors. Once you confirm your decision about copying or not copying the PST, the tool starts correcting the errors. However, if the file has been seriously corrupted, Scanpst might fail to fix these errors. To solve these errors you need third party Outlook Inbox Repair utility.
PST corruption can be detected by the error messages, which a PST file prompts on being accessed. Let's outline one of these error messages:
“Errors have been detected in the file file_path\outlook.pst. Quit outlook and all mail enabled applications and then use the Inbox Repair Tool.”
This is one of the frequently observed error messages that occurs when attempt is made to access a corrupted PST.
Note: A PST can get corrupt for multitude of reasons, which include improper shutdown, virus infection, sharing the file on network, and PST 2 GB problem.
User Action
As suggested in the error message itself, you can resolve the given issue by running Inbox Repair Tool using the below mentioned steps. But keep in mind to un-hide the hidden and system files from folder options first as 'Scanpst' is a hidden file and will not be visible.
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Click 'Start' and then 'Search'
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Click 'All files and folders'
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Type 'Scanpst.exe' and click 'Search'
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After the file is located, double-click to start the Repair Outlook Inbox tool
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Browse to the location of your PST and click 'Repair'
Outlook PST repair tool will return a success message if it becomes successful to repair the corrupted PST. Otherwise, you will get an error suggesting that file cannot be repaired. To deal with such specific problems, third-party utilities have been made available. Incorporating more powerful algorithms than conventional tools, these software can repair your PST in any case.
Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair is a powerful Inbox Repair Tool that can repair corrupted PST using effective scanning algorithms. The safe utility can Repair Outlook Inbox file created with MS Outlook 2007, 2003, 2002, and 2000. With deleted e-mail recovery capability, this software can restore all e-mails, notes, contacts, calendar items, and all other PST file objects.
