When using Microsoft Outlook, the system stores all data within a PST file, also known as a Personal Storage Table. This file type stores emails, contacts, calendar items and other Outlook related objects and is used by multiple versions of Outlook such as: MS Exchange Server 5.5, MS Outlook 2000/2002/2003/2007/2010/2013 or Office 365.
However, even though it stores an abundance of important information that you don’t want to lose, these files are still prone to corruption. When this happens your important data can become inaccessible and seem like it’s lost forever. Here we’ll discuss when the PST file becomes corrupt and how to fix it so you can access your data again.
What Causes PST File Corruption?
There are several different reasons why a PST file can become corrupt and inaccessible. These include:
- Software Malfunctioning: If you’re running Microsoft Outlook with other applications that conflict or cause problems, this can lead to the corruption of your PST file.
- Physical Damage: Physically damaging or moving the drive where the data is stored can also lead to corruption due to improper shutdowns, power outages, or sudden disconnections from servers.
- Human Error: Accidentally deleting important emails or messages without backing up; not closing Outlook properly when shutting down your computer; or just general misuse of the program can all lead to corruption as well.
How Can You Fix a Corrupt PST File?
Fortunately, there are several methods of fixing corrupted PST files that you can implement. Here’s a few of the most common ones:
- Use ScanPST Utility: Microsoft provides an inbuilt utility called “ScanPST” for scanning and repairing any corruption within the PST file. To access this utility, simply go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\SCANPST.exe.
- Inbox Repair Tool (aka IRT): This is another free and easy tool provided by Microsoft as part of their Outlook installation package. It performs similar functions to that of the ScanPST Utility; however it comes with a few added features such as built-in backup options and an improved interface.
- Third-Party PST Repair Software: If you’re unable to fix the PST file using either of the first two methods, then it might be time to invest in third-party PST repair software. This type of program is specifically designed to repair damages within your Outlook data files and comes with advanced features such as selective recovery, password protection, and previewing capabilities.
- An Outlook PST file is a Microsoft Outlook data file where users store their emails, contacts, calendar entries, tasks, and other personal information. Unfortunately, these files can become corrupt due to various reasons such as improper shutdown of the system or even prolonged use of the same PST file.
In this article, we will cover when an Outlook PST file can become corrupt and how to fix it.
Causes of PST File Corruption:
The most common cause of PST file corruption is when the system shuts down abruptly or when the user forcefully closes Outlook without exiting properly. Other causes include using older versions of Outlook, exceeding the 2 GB limit for PST files, virus attack, hard drive failure, prolonged usage of the same PST file, etc.
How to Fix a Corrupt PST File:
If your Outlook PST file has become corrupt, there are several ways to try and fix it.
- The first option is to use the Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe) which comes with Microsoft Office. This tool can be used to scan and repair any damages on the PST file.
- Another option is to use third-party PST recovery software such as Datanumen Outlook PST Repair Tool. This tool can be used to recover emails, contacts, calendar entries, tasks, attachments, etc. from a corrupted PST file.
- Finally, if all else fails, you can always export the PST file to a new Outlook profile and try importing it back. This will allow you to access all the information stored in the corrupted PST file.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, an Outlook PST file can become corrupt due to various reasons such as improper shutdown of the system or even prolonged use of the same PST file. If your Outlook PST file has become corrupt, there are several ways to fix it including using the Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe), using a third-party PST recovery software such as DataNumen Outlook PST Repair Tool, and exporting/importing the PST files into a new Outlook profile. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand when an Outlook PST file becomes corrupt and how to fix it.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
