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How To Repair Corrupt PST File Online Successfully?

Eleanor Reed
Eleanor Reed Originally published Jun 17, 23, updated Mar 20, 24

Looking to repair corrupt PST files online for free? A corrupt PST (Personal Storage Table) file may be a nightmare for anyone who uses Microsoft Outlook to manage their email. PST files include your Outlook data, email messages, contacts, calendar events, etc. When a PST file gets corrupted, it can cause data loss, inaccessible emails, and workflow disruption.

guide to repair pst file

Online repair tools make it feasible to fix a corrupt PST file without extensive technical knowledge or costly software. This post will look at how to restore a faulty PST file online effectively. This article will assist you in regaining access to your vital Outlook data and restoring smooth email operation. Whether you are a corporate professional or an individual user.

In this article
    1. Bad Hard Drive Sectors
    2. Problems with the Network
    3. Unexpected Power Outage
    1. Viruses and Malware
    2. Recovery of the File System
    1. TOOL 1: Systools Outlook Recovery
    2. TOOL 2: Recovery Toolbox
    1. METHOD 1: Use Inbox Repair Tool
    2. METHOD 2: Shorten The Oversized PST File

What Is A PST File?

PST is an open file format used by Microsoft software products. Products like Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Messaging, and Microsoft Exchange Client to store messages, contacts, attachments, addresses, calendar events, and other information. Outlook is the primary application that uses the PST file format. Another term for it is Offline Storage Table (.ost).

Most Common Causes Of A PST File Corruption

PART 1: Hardware Reasons

Bad Hard Drive Sectors

It is a common blunder. When a local machine's hard disk has faulty sectors, PST files saved on it become readily corrupted. As a result, accessing them becomes impossible.

bad hard drive sectors

Problems with the Network

Retaining or saving essential data on a network server is now common practice. But what if the network server or the devices that connect to it has a problem? The user will lose access to the stored PST file. Situations such as network outages or breakdowns may contaminate the PST file.

Unexpected Power Outage

Unexpected power outages might ruin PST files. It may corrupt if the PST file is open during a power outage.

PART 2: Software Reasons

Viruses and Malware

Any malicious program installed or downloaded onto your PC has the potential to damage PST file contents.

virus and malware in pst file

Recovery of the File System

File system recovery can be dangerous if done poorly or at the wrong time. Your data may become damaged if you attempt file system recovery incorrectly. This occurs because a file system disaster interferes with PST files, resulting in permanently deleted or rewritten PST files.

Significant Signs Of A Damaged PST File

If you need a solution on whether your PST file is corrupted or has another issue. Here are some of the typical error messages a user with a defective PST file may encounter.

Sign 1: There are several mistakes in the file "filename.pst." Before utilizing the Inbox repair tool (Scanpst.exe) to diagnose and repair file errors, close Outlook, and any mail-enabled programs.

Sign 2: "filename".pst is not a file from a personal folder.

Sign 3: Microsoft Outlook has encountered an error and must be shut off. We sincerely regret any inconvenience.

Sign 4: The file "filename".pst could not be found.

Sign 5: The folder could not be shown. The file "filename".pst could not be opened. Access has been restricted.

Sign 6: The file "filename".pst could not be opened. The data contains an error. Examine for cyclical redundancy.

Tools To Repair PST File Online

TOOL 1: Systools Outlook Recovery

Systools Outlook Recovery is a software product created by SysTools. It is a company specializing in data recovery and migration solutions for various email clients. It is particularly developed to repair and restore Microsoft Outlook PST files that have been damaged or corrupted.

systools outlook recovery

Follow these procedures to restore a PST file using Systools Outlook Recovery tool:

Step 1: Select the PST file you wish to repair by clicking the "Browse" option. Before starting, make a backup of the original PST file.

Step 2: After selecting the PST file, click the "Repair" button to begin the repair procedure.

Step 3: When the repair is finished, the program will provide a report outlining the repair outcomes and the successfully recovered objects.

Step 4: You may get the corrected PST file from the website.

Step 5: After downloading the restored PST file, open it in Microsoft Outlook to validate its integrity and that your data has been properly recovered.

TOOL 2: Recovery Toolbox

Step 1: Click the Select File button and choose a data file with the extension .pst or .ost.

recovery toolbox for outlook

Step 2: Provide your email address.

Step 3: Select the Continue option.

Step 4: Wait for the corrupted Microsoft Outlook.pst/.ost file to be recovered.

Step 5: Save the restored Microsoft Outlook pst file to your computer.

Well-Known Methods To Fix PST Files

METHOD 1: Use Inbox Repair Tool

Scanpst.exe is a built-in Microsoft application for repairing broken or corrupted PST files in Microsoft Outlook. It is also known as the Inbox Repair Tool. It is included in the Office suite and is usually found in the Outlook installation folder.

However, it is crucial to understand that Scanpst.exe is not an online tool. A local utility must be downloaded and installed on your computer. Here are the instructions for using Scanpst.exe to fix a PST file:

Step 1: If Microsoft Outlook is open, close it.

Step 2: Navigate to your computer's Scanpst.exe utility. Depending on your Outlook version, the default location is usually one of the following:

  • Outlook 2019: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
  • Outlook 2016: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
  • Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15
  • Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14

Step 3: Click the "Browse" button in the "Enter the name of the file you want to scan" section to identify and choose the PST file you want to restore. If you need help finding where your PST file is, check your Outlook account settings or search your computer for.pst files.

select the pst file

Step 4: Press the "Start" button to scan and repair. Scanpst.exe will examine the chosen PST file for problems or damage.

Step 5: If any problems are discovered, Scanpst.exe will offer the opportunity to fix the file. To begin, click the "Repair" button. It should be noted that depending on the size and complexity of the PST file, the repair operation may take some time.

click repair to fix the file

Step 6: A summary report will be presented when the repair is finished. Examine the report to see whether any errors were corrected or if any recoverable items were discovered.

save repaired file

Step 7: Click the "OK" button if the repair was successful.

Before performing the repair procedure using Scanpst.exe, backup your original PST file. In some situations, the repair procedure may result in data loss or partial recovery. Therefore, having a backup as a preventive step is vital.

METHOD 2: Shorten The Oversized PST File

When users run MS Outlook (particularly earlier versions) and attempt to read PST files, they may see the following error: "Errors have been detected in the file > file_path >." Stop all mail-enabled programs before using the Inbox Repair Tool."

As mentioned earlier, the issue happens due to the PST file exceeding its size limit of 2 B (in previous Outlook versions).

Lower the PST file size to within the given limit to resolve such an issue. Microsoft's Oversized PST and OST Crop tool will erase some material from the PST file to minimize its size. Make a backup of the corrupt PST file before running the utility, as the tool deletes certain data.

shorten the oversized pst file

Please keep the following in mind while using this utility: Tip 1: Your system should have 2 GB of free hard drive space so that the tool can create a duplicate of the PST file.

Tip 2: Reduce the file size to 20 to 25 MB, less than the 2 GB restriction. It will provide you with an adequate working area.

Tip 3: This procedure is somewhat dependable. Additionally, shortened data will be absent from the original file.

WonderShare Repairit For Guaranteed PST File Repair

Wondershare Repairit for Email is a program that can fix broken or damaged PST (Personal Storage Table) files in Microsoft Outlook. It aids with the recovery of data from inaccessible or corrupted Outlook data files. It give users access to their emails, contacts, calendars, and other Outlook data.

You may use Wondershare Repairit for Email to fix a PST file by following these steps:

Step 1: Upload The Damaged PST File

After installation, run Wondershare Repairit for Email. Click the "Select File" button in the main interface to identify and choose the damaged PST file you wish to restore.

upload the pst file in wondershare

Step 2: Repair the PST File

After you've chosen the file, click "Repair" to begin the repair procedure. The program will search for flaws and corruption in the selected PST file.

start the repairing process

Step 3: Preview And Save The PST File

When the scanning process is finished, Repairit for Email will preview the recovered Outlook data, such as emails, contacts, calendars, and attachments. To ensure data integrity, you may preview and check the retrieved objects. If you're happy with the results, click the "Save" button and wait for the software to store the data.

preview and save the pst file

Comparing All The Above Solutions

When mending PST files with the Inbox Repair Tool, reducing the huge PST file or depending on third-party software such as Wondershare Repairit are both viable options. While Microsoft's Inbox Repair Tool is a built-in solution, it only sometimes guarantees effective repair, especially for complicated difficulties. Although shortening the huge PST file can be beneficial, it may need physical labor and technical understanding.

Wondershare Repairit provides a dependable and assured solution for PST file repair. It is sophisticated algorithms and user-friendly interface make it an appealing option for novice and seasoned users. You may easily recover broken or damaged PST files using Repairit, maintaining the integrity and accessibility of your email data. Because of its complete capabilities and rapid repair procedure, the program is a recommended alternative for addressing PST file difficulties, delivering peace of mind and a flawless email experience.

Simple Tips To Prevent PST File Corruption

Now that we've covered practically every component of a corrupt PST let's look at how you may prevent getting one.

Precaution 1: Keep your PST file manageable.

Precaution 2: Do not shut down your machine if you are working on Outlook or if it is running in the background.

Precaution 3: You should preserve your PSTs from previous versions in files no larger than 2GB.

Precaution 4: Only have a small number of emails. Attempt to handle them on occasion.

Precaution 5: Install add-ins with caution.

Precaution 6: Install and use antivirus software with caution.

install antivirus with caution

Conclusion>

Repairing a damaged PST file online is a quick and easy way to resolve Outlook-related difficulties. You may restore a damaged PST file and recover access to your precious email data by following the above methods. Remember to back up your original PST file beforehand to avoid data loss during restoration. Then, select a reputable pst file repair online free that meets your requirements and offers a safe environment for file recovery.

If you want to repair the pst files, you can use Wondershare Repairit for Email. It can help you fix your damaged or corrupted pst file properly.

Eleanor Reed
Eleanor Reed Mar 20, 24
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Eleanor Reed
Written by Eleanor Reed
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