Outlook data files hold all critical details related to an email. Being so essential, the threat of them getting corrupted is evident. While the files get corrupted, the data across Outlook can get inaccessible. In such scenarios, you won't be able to take back your data and lose it forever. To avoid this, you should seek to use a PST repair tool. This article will introduce you to some of the best PST repair tools on the market.
Look ahead into the provided details to learn more about these tools. The in-depth overview would help you determine the best tool for your need.
Part 1: Take Care Before Running PST Repair Programs
Before starting with the best PST repair tool, you should consider other points. Having a foolproof environment for this case is the most desirable ask. There are a few things that you should always keep in your mind while considering these programs.
First, before coming to use any PST repair tool, always consider backing up data. This helps you protect the originality of the PST file that it holds.
Furthermore, you should check the device you are using for this process. Look for any virus and malware with virus scans and anti-virus tools. Also, ensure that the power source is direct and won't be hindered by outages. Once assured, you can easily make the perfect use of your PST repairing tool. With all device and software assurances, you can ensure proper operation.
Part 2: Major Reasons That Lead to PST Corruption
As we look down into the best PST repair tool, it is necessary to know why a PST is corrupt. A PST file holds the importance of being a backbone to the email client. Thus, if it gets corrupted, it can cause quite a mess for the email client user. Outlook users always seek reasons for PST corruption. Therefore, we have outlined them below for your ease:
1. Hard Disk Issues
The first of the issues can be caused across your computer's hard drive. Any bad sector or hardware corruption can directly affect the data across it. If your hard drive has faced such a problem, you might be unable to open your PST file. Thus, it is entirely useless and corrupted for you.
2. Oversized PST File
Outlook versions have set their PST file limit for users. Being an Outlook user, you should always respect that limit and avoid exceeding it. However, it can become an issue if you accidentally lose track of the size. Oversized PST files return you with issues such as data corruption and losses.
3. Attack of Viruses and Malware
Viruses and malware can generally affect the whole computer. As it attacks in many different ways, one way is to change the course of your device's data. Thus, it would attack and make your PST files inaccessible. Any virus or malware across a computer can be countered through anti-viruses.
4. Unwanted Shutdowns
If you are not protecting your device from unwanted shutdowns, it malfunctions. If any Outlook process is undergoing during this shutdown, it can be heavily affected by it. Due to this, you may be unable to reaccess your Outlook PST files. Keep a check on all power outages and provide your computer with the right power backup.
Part 3: 5 Best PST Repair Programs You Can Try
Let's propagate to discuss the best PST repair tool you can come across. With these provided. Outlook PST repair tool, you can make a proper decision. Select the best among them to create a perfect environment for your corrupted PST file.
1. Wondershare Repairit for Email
Supported Formats
This PST fix tool is an epitome of excellence for repairing PST files. However, it does not feature support for PST files only. You can also repair your corrupt OST files, which makes this tool different.
System Compatibility
Operating Systems:
- Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11
- Windows Server 2012/2016/2019
- macOS X 10.11 - macOS 12 (Monterey)
Hard Disk: 56MB Minimum Space for Installing
Developer: Wondershare Technology
Supported Devices
Most of the PST repairing tools offer support for Windows devices only. Wondershare Repairit is the first of its kind to break this barrier. It provides support for Windows and Mac devices, likewise.
Free or Paid
Wondershare Repairit is a complete package of different tools. As it provides email repair across it, it can indeed be tried in the trial version. However, if you want to buy the services for advanced operations, you can check out the following table. Buying any individual plan would give you access to multiple features. It includes advanced repairing and batch processing across the platform.
|
Windows |
Mac |
Year License |
$69.99 |
$69.99 |
Perpetual License |
$79.99 |
$79.99 |
Restoration of Deleted Email Content
This platform allows users to cover the process of restoring deleted email content. This can be performed alongside the repairing of PST files. Any email content that is deleted can be recovered and displayed across the preview. You can get hold of essential data that has been misplaced.
Previewing Data Across Interface
Wondershare Repairit features one of the simplest and most effective interfaces. The beautiful, categorized display of PST files makes previewing easy for users. You can go through all the data without complicating it for yourselves.
Advantages
- Provides support to PST file repairing and OST file repairing across a single platform.
- Offers support to Windows and Mac users.
2. DataNumen Outlook Repair
Supported Formats
There is direct support for PST files only across this platform. As compared to other tools, it still lacks adequate format support. However, you can import and repair all kinds of PST files of all Outlook versions. There is no particular restriction set by DataNumen across the PST files. You can quickly restore your essential email data from the PST files.
System Compatibility
Processor: Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon XP or Greater
Operating System: Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows, Windows NT, Windows Server 2016, Windows 2000, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows XP.
Hard Disk Space: Requires almost 30MBs of Hard Drive Space
RAM: 1GB of RAM (2GB recommended)
Developer: DataNumen, Inc.
Supported Devices
Designed for Windows users, this particular application holds versatility across its structure. You need to have a device that should have a minimum of 1GB RAM. It should also have a processor of Pentium 4 or above, at least. This is what would help you operate this PST repair tool with ease.
Free or Paid
DataNumen Outlook Repair provides an extensive pricing plan to its users. Users can use the MyCommerce and FastSpring servers for this purpose. The platform covers the requirements of a single user and an organization in a package.
User Licenses |
Price (In Dollars) |
1 |
$199.95 each |
2-9 |
$149.95 each |
10-24 |
$119.95 each |
25-49 |
$99.95 each |
50-99 |
$69.95 each |
100-199 |
$49.95 each |
200-499 |
$39.95 each |
500+ |
$29.95 each |
Highlighting Features of this PST Repair Tool
DataNumen Outlook Repairs supports data recovery of the perfect kind. You can recover your data in the form of plain text, RTF, or HTML. Management of the repaired data is relatively easier across this tool. As it processes everything automatically, you can review the repaired PST with ease. Its extensive support to Outlook goes beyond comprehension. You can even repair PST files from Outlook 97 and go beyond Outlook 365 across it.
Advantages
- Repairs PST files from Outlook 97 to Outlook 365 with ease.
- It can also convert OST files to PST format across the platform.
3. Stellar Repair for Outlook
Supported Formats
Stellar Repair for Outlook features extensive support for PST file format only. However, it does not cater to any other file format; the support for PST is quite definite. With high-profile repairing and recovery of data, the support seems phenomenal.
System Compatibility
Processor: Intel-compatible (x86, x64)
RAM: 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended)
Hard Disk: 250 MB for installation files
Operating System: Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7
Developer: Stellar Information Technology Pvt. Ltd.
Supported Devices
Features support for Windows devices only. However, the devices need to have an Intel-compatible processor with themselves. With such extensive OS support, you can easily manage the platform. Mac users, however, cannot enjoy Outlook repairing services.
Free or Paid
Package |
Price |
Perks |
Professional |
$79/year |
You can repair corrupted Outlook PST files. |
Technician |
$149/year |
It helps you in splitting and compacting large PST files. |
Toolkit |
$199/year |
Provides a complete toolkit to convert, repair, split, compact, merge, etc. |
Features PST File Preview
Stellar Repair for Outlook features an option of previewing your repaired PST file. Before saving it, you can completely get satisfied with the results. The complete preview structure represents a tree-like shape.
Quick and Effective in Operation
This PST repair software is an excellent executor of Outlook repairing. The extensiveness offered in the tool, along with its quick results, is perfect. You do not need to wait long for this tool to provide you with results.00
Advantages
- Easily repairs large PST files for users with lesser processing time.
- It provides support in 8 different languages to users.
4. Kernel for Outlook PST Repair
Supported Formats
You can only repair PST files across this platform. As it is based on providing services for Outlook PST files, there is no other file support available. Kernel for Outlook PST Repair keeps its focus on repairing all kinds of PST files. It even caters to the different forms of corruption of PST files.
System Compatibility
Processor: Intel Pentium Processor compatible (x86, x64) or equivalent.
Operating System: Windows 365, 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, 98, NT, 95.
Windows Server 2016, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008, 2003 R2, 2003.
Hard Disk Space: 50 MB of Disk Space
RAM: 256 MB minimum
Developer: Nucleus Technologies.com Pvt. Limited.
Supported Devices
Starting its support from Windows 95, this PST file repair tool has great support. While it features for Windows users only, it requires an Intel Pentium processor, at least.
Free or Paid
You can always start across Kernel for Outlook PST Repair on a trial basis. However, it features package support which allows you to have a better experience. You will receive certain perks on buying any one of the following plans for yourselves:
Package |
Price |
Perks |
Home License |
$89 |
Provides all basic PST repairing functions, excluding saving options. |
Corporate License |
$249 |
You can also perform batch processing across this package. |
Technician License |
$499 |
Apart from PST repairing, it splits and merges large PST files. |
Managing Meta Properties of Emails
As you repair your corrupted PST file across this tool, you can also retain the meta properties of an email. This includes details like "To," "From," and "Time." Having your meta properties recovered allows you to keep track of every email.
Recovering Deleted Mails While Repairing PST Files
Whenever you repair your PST files, you always have an option to recover their deleted content. Kernel for Outlook PST Repair offers the feature of recovering deleted emails. This allows you to get hold of content that cannot be recovered typically.
Advantages
- You can easily access password-protected data across the tool.
- It allows access to both healthy and corrupted PST files with ease.
5. Scanpst Repair Tool
Supported Formats
Scanpst.exe, or Inbox Repair Tool, provides the basic option of repairing PST files. Apart from that, it does not hold support for any other Outlook data file format. You cannot manage your OLM or OST files across Scanpst.
System Compatibility
There are no particular system requirements for Scanpst.exe. This PST repair tool comes across every Outlook email client that is installed. So, considering your Windows OS, you download an Outlook version. It automatically comes with the built-in Scanpst.exe tool for repairing PST files.
Supported Devices
Scanpst provides support for Windows devices only. There is no particular requirement for it to operate as it comes along with the Outlook version. Mac users cannot enjoy the free services of Scanpst.
Free or Paid
The tool is completely free to use as it comes along with the installed Outlook email client. You are not required to pay up anything for this repair PST tool.
Advantages
- The tool is entirely free to use with no hidden charges.
- It does not require users to download any third-party tool. Available across the computer having Outlook by default.
Part 4: Tips to Avoid PST Corruption
Why put yourselves in difficulty with PST corruption? If you have the primary option of protecting your PST files, you should go for it. We've highlighted some important tips that you can follow to avoid PST corruption. These tips will surely guide you in preserving your data in all forms:
1. Check Size Limits of PST
While working with Outlook, you should be aware of the PST file size limits. Always make sure that the size of your PST file does not exceed the limit. Remove all the unnecessary parts of your PST file to save data for yourselves.
2. Avoid Unwanted Closures
Keep a secondary power source for your computer at all times. Whenever a process is underway across Outlook, do not close it. This would indeed protect your Outlook data files and would not corrupt them.
3. Save in a Static Drive
Users might save their PST files across a network drive. As it gives access to multiple users at the same time, it might get corrupted. Keep your PST files in a static drive where only one user can access the data.
4. Use Anti-Viruses on Computer
Make proper use of anti-viruses on your computer to save it from viruses and malware. Using this software protects all the data across your computer, including PST files. The anti-virus should be strong enough to tackle all kinds of problems.
Conclusion
This article has featured some of the best PST repair tools on the market. With the provided details, you will be able to make a good decision in no time. You should always look for all important points that would make you select one. We hope that you will be able to find your best PST repair tool with this article.