How to repair Outlook folders using the Inbox Repair Tool

What is an Outlook PST file?

PST files or Personal Folder Files are used by Microsoft Outlook for storing Outlook data, including mailbox files, email folders, contacts or any other personal data related to Microsoft Outlook. Up to Microsoft Outlook 2002 (XP), PST files are formatted according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) format, which limits the file size to 2Gb. Starting with Microsoft Outlook 2003, PST files are using the UNICODE format which has a limit that is more than 20 GB.

By default, Microsoft Outlook stored these PST files at the following location: "C:Documents and SettingsUSER_NAMELocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook", where USER_NAME is your Windows logon name. The default PST filename for your active mailbox is Outlook.pst, while the archive file is stored as archive.pst.

How do I know if my PST file is damaged?

When your Outlook PST file is damaged, Microsoft Outlook will try to automatically repair the damaged file: when you start Outlook, you will see a start window telling you that Outlook is attempting to repair your mailbox folders. However, depending on the problem, Outlook may not be able to automatically repair your PST file and so you will not be able to enter the main Outlook window, as a result you will need to try and fix it using the external Inbox Repair Tool.

The regular Outlook error message that notifies you about a damaged PST file is: "Errors have been detected in the file 'file_path'. Quit all mail-enabled applications, and then use the Inbox Repair Tool."

The Inbox Repair Tool can only work if your PST file was damaged by Outlook itself or if it was corrupted due to hard disk problems. If for example, your PST file was damaged by a third party add-in, there are little chances for the Inbox Repair TOOl to recover your mailbox information.

How to use the Inbox Repair Tool to repair my damaged PST file?

The Microsoft Inbox Repair Tool is a single-file executable program, file named Scanpst.exe. By default, Microsoft Outlook will install the Scanpst.exe file within your Program Files folder, in 'C:Program FilesCommon FilesSystemMSMAPI1033'. If you can't find the Inbox Repair Tool, you can download it from here then copy it to the above folder.

Make sure Microsoft Outlook is not running when you try to run the Inbox Repair Tool.

Once you started the Inbox Repair Tool, use the Browse button to select your personal PST file. Remember, its default location is "C:Documents and SettingsUSER_NAMELocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook", where USER_NAME is your Windows logon name. Then click on the Start button.

Make sure you mark the checkbox for making a backup of the scanned file, then click on the "Repair" button. When this process is done, you should be able to properly start Outlook and use your recovered personal Outlook folders.

What if the Inbox Repair Tool doesn't recover my damaged PST file?

If the Inbox Repair Tool is giving you an error message while trying to recover your Outlook PST file(s) or if you are still unable to start Outlook, then you can try the following solutions:

· If you are using Microsoft Outlook 9x, 2000 or 2002 and if the Inbox Repair Tool returns the following error: "Fatal Error: 80040900", it is likely that your PST file exceeded the maximum file size of 2Gb. To resolve this problem, see this Microsoft article .

· If you are using Microsoft Outlook under a Corporate or Workgroup environment, then use the Inbox Repair Tool with Corporate or Workgroup option.

· EasyRecovery FileRepair: repairs and restores corrupted or inaccessible Microsoft Office Outlook PST files into new readable files.