Fix Broken Pst File (Best Tool)
Microsoft Outlook uses PST (Personal Storage Table) files to store your emails, contacts, calendars, and other mailbox data locally. PST files are crucial for your daily email management. Unfortunately, PST files can become corrupted or broken due to various reasons, leading to Outlook errors, data loss, or inaccessibility of your mailbox.
1. PST Files
PST files are database files created by Microsoft Outlook to store messages, calendar events, contacts, tasks, and notes locally. They allow users to work offline and synchronize with Exchange servers or other mail services.
Two types of Outlook data files exist:
PST (Personal Storage Table): Stores emails, contacts, and calendar data locally for POP and IMAP accounts.
OST (Offline Storage Table): Offline copy of Exchange mailbox data, resynchronizes with the server.
PST files contain multiple data tables, headers, and indexes to manage and access mailbox data efficiently. Corruption of any part can cause the PST file to become broken.
2. Common Causes of PST File Corruption
Understanding what causes PST corruption helps in taking preventative actions.
a. Abrupt Shutdown or System Crashes
Power failures or improper shutdowns while Outlook is running may interrupt writing to PST files, causing corruption.
b. Oversized PST Files
Older Outlook versions limit PST size to 2GB. Exceeding this causes the file to become unstable or corrupt.
c. Virus or Malware Infection
Malicious software can damage PST files.
d. Bad Sectors on Hard Drives
Disk errors where PST files are stored can lead to file corruption.
e. Faulty Add-ins or Software Conflicts
Conflicting Outlook add-ins or third-party software can cause PST errors.
f. Improper Network Shutdown
For PSTs stored on network drives, improper disconnection can corrupt the file.
g. Incorrect File Conversion or Migration
Improper conversion from OST to PST or migration between Outlook versions can lead to corruption.
3. Symptoms of a Broken PST File
How do you know your PST file is corrupted? Look out for:
Outlook crashes or freezes during startup or usage.
Error messages like “Cannot open the Outlook data file,” “Errors have been detected in the file,” or “The file xxxx.pst is not a personal folders file.”
Missing emails, contacts, or calendar entries.
Outlook hangs while accessing certain folders.
Search results don’t show recent emails.
PST file size is zero or unusually large and inaccessible.
4. Preliminary Troubleshooting
Before deep repair, try these quick fixes:
Restart your computer and Outlook.
Disable problematic add-ins by starting Outlook in Safe Mode (outlook.exe /safe).
Ensure Outlook and Windows are updated.
Copy PST to a local drive if stored on a network.
Create a new Outlook profile and attach the PST.
Check disk health using tools like chkdsk.
If problems persist, proceed with repair methods.
5. Manual Repair Using Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe)
Microsoft includes a free utility, ScanPST.exe, for repairing corrupted PST files.
Location of ScanPST.exe
Office 365 / Outlook 2019:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\SCANPST.EXE
Outlook 2016:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\SCANPST.EXE
Outlook 2013:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\SCANPST.EXE
How to Use ScanPST.exe
Close Outlook completely.
Locate ScanPST.exe on your computer.
Open ScanPST.exe and click Browse to select your corrupted PST file.
Click Start to begin scanning.
If errors are found, choose Repair.
Wait for the repair to complete.
Restart Outlook and open the repaired PST.
Notes
ScanPST attempts to fix header issues, index corruptions, and minor data damage.
For large or severely corrupted files, ScanPST may fail or only partially repair the PST.
6. Using Third-Party PST Repair Tools
Panda Repair
PST files can become corrupted due to various reasons such as sudden power outages during Outlook operation, oversized PST files exceeding size limits, virus infections, bad sectors on hard drives, software conflicts, or improper shutdowns. Identifying the cause helps in applying the correct repair approach.
How Panda Repair Works
Panda Repair is a specialized software designed to fix corrupted PST files by repairing damaged headers, indexes, and mailbox data structures. It uses advanced algorithms to analyze the broken PST, recover emails, contacts, calendars, and other items while maintaining the original folder hierarchy and data integrity.
Features of Panda Repair
Deep scanning of corrupted PST files to detect and fix errors
Repair of damaged headers, corrupted data blocks, and indexes
Recovery of mailbox items including emails, attachments, contacts, and calendars
Preview recovered data before saving
Support for various Outlook versions and PST file sizes
Using Panda Repair
Launch Panda Repair and select the corrupted PST file.
Start the scanning and repair process.
Preview the recovered mailbox items.
Save the repaired PST file to a safe location.
7. Advanced PST Recovery Techniques
a. Split Large PST Files
Oversized PST files are more prone to corruption. Use tools or Outlook's Archive feature to split large PSTs into smaller files.
b. Use Outlook Export Feature
If you can open the PST but face issues, export mailbox data to a new PST:
Open Outlook.
Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
Choose Export to a file > Outlook Data File (.pst).
Select folders and export to a new PST.
c. Recover Deleted Items Folder
Sometimes items are lost but can be recovered:
Go to Deleted Items folder in Outlook.
Click Recover Deleted Items (if using Exchange).
Restore necessary items.
8. Repairing Large PST Files
Large PST files can cause slow Outlook performance or corruption.
Tips to Repair Large PST Files
Use third-party tools designed for large PSTs.
Compress PST files via Outlook properties.
Archive old emails regularly.
Upgrade Outlook to versions supporting larger PST limits (Outlook 2010+ supports up to 50GB).
9. Best Practices to Prevent PST Corruption
Prevention is better than cure. Follow these tips:
Regularly back up PST files to external drives or cloud storage.
Avoid storing PST files on network drives.
Close Outlook properly before shutting down the computer.
Keep your antivirus updated to avoid malware attacks.
Use reliable hardware to avoid disk errors.
Avoid oversizing PST files; archive old emails.
Update Outlook regularly for stability and bug fixes.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How long does ScanPST.exe take to repair a PST?
A: Repair time depends on file size and corruption severity; it can range from minutes to hours.
Q2: Can I recover data from a severely corrupted PST?
A: Yes, with professional repair tools or services, but no guarantee all data can be recovered.
Q3: What if my PST file is password protected?
A: ScanPST may not work on encrypted PSTs. Use tools supporting password-protected PST recovery.
Q4: How to prevent PST corruption on network drives?
A: Avoid using PST files on network locations; keep them on local drives instead.
Fixing broken PST files is critical to maintaining Outlook functionality and data integrity. Start with basic troubleshooting and the Microsoft Inbox Repair Tool for minor corruptions. For severe or large file damage, third-party tools provide more powerful recovery options.
Always back up your PST files and follow best practices to prevent corruption. With the right tools and care, you can protect and restore your valuable Outlook data efficiently.
