Fix Your Inaccessible Outlook With Scanpst.exe

By Author: Andrew Strauss
Total Articles: 3
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Continuous advancement of technology is broadening the level of comfort to work without interruption. Microsoft Outlook has therefore introduced its 2010 version with lots of improved features. The new version of Outlook has been enhanced with large PST file storage capacity, fast access to commonly used options, improved appearance and feel of the software GUI. Certainly, these features are eye catching and alluring, yet the possibility of PST file corruption exists as in earlier versions. There are huge chances that you might get your PST file corrupted, leading to the inaccessibility of Outlook or PST file and loss of vital information. There are various reasons that stand as major causes for the corruption of PST file like, exceeding maximum file size limit, virus infection, software malfunctioning, headers corruption, etc.

Since, PST file stores a lot of information such as contacts, notes, emails, drafts, calendar items, attachments, etc., the requirement to keep them safe becomes compulsory. Corruption to PST means damage to all the data stored in PST file or permanent loss of information if not repaired on time. ...
... Therefore, it is important to take quick action and repair Outlook PST once you detect damage in your PST file. In order to safeguard data related to mails, Microsoft offers a build-in Outlook repair tool called scanpst.exe. This tool is automatically installed while the installation of Microsoft outlook. Although, this outlook repair tool is not visible in Windows start program menu but can be accessed with ease.

Repair Outlook PST File using Scanpst.exe:

1. Close MS Outlook program if it is open.
2. Find build-in outlook repair tool (scanpst.exe) either in ‘C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE12' location or by just typing scanpst.exe in the Windows Search bar.
3. Open scanpst.exe with a double click.
4. Browse the damaged .pst file to be scanned.
5. Click on Start button.
6. If the scanning process is complete, it will prompt you to start the repair outlook pst file process to fix the error.

After the completion of repairing process, you will get a backup file containing all the required files you had once lost. If you want, you can also change the default name or location of the backup file created by clicking the Repair option. Open Outlook by using the profile containing the .pst file that you repaired. Click Folder List on the Go menu. In the Personal Folder List, you will find a folder named Recovered Personal Folders. There you get your default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder. Usually the recovered folders are empty as this is a rebuilt .pst file. You can see all items recovered by the Inbox Repair tool in the Lost and Found folder.

Although, scanpst.exe is the default Outlook repair tool but this is not the optimum solution to repair Outlook PST. This is due to the reason that it might delete required information permanently. To avoid such possibility you need to use third party Outlook repair tool. There are many such tools in the market, which are equipped with high-end features to avoid the loss of data in any circumstance. They guarantee for complete and accurate recovery plus repairing of PST files. You can use such professional Outlook repair tools to fetch back your complete Outlook PST components like e-mails with attachments, notes, contacts, tasks, calendar entries, journals etc.