Microsoft Outlook has been probably the most standard selections amongst people, professionals, and companies (each SMEs and multinational enterprises) for managing emails, calendars, and contacts. Nonetheless, identical to another Home windows app or software program, Outlook can be susceptible to errors and points that will seem as a consequence of broken brought on to the Outlook information file, i.e., PST. When a PST file will get broken or corrupt, it could result in host of points in Outlook, equivalent to:
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Frequent freezing or crashing of the Outlook utility
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Synchronization issues within the e-mail accounts
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Delay in sending or receiving emails
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Failure to ship or obtain new emails
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Inaccessible messages or different mail objects, equivalent to contacts, calendar objects, and so forth.
PST or Private Storage Desk is an Outlook information file that shops all of the mail objects, equivalent to emails, contacts, calendar objects, duties, and so forth., on native disk. The file is created if you add a POP (POP3) e-mail account in Outlook or export mail objects for backup to a PST file.
On this detailed information, you’ll be taught the steps to successfully troubleshoot and restore PST file in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, and older variations.
Causes for Corruption in Outlook PST File
There may be a number of causes that may result in PST file corruption and injury. These embrace:
1. Giant mailbox or outsized PST file
While you ship or obtain an e-mail with or with out photographs or attachments, all the information is saved within the PST file. Over the time, as you ship or obtain extra emails, the PST file get massive and inflate considerably.
Giant PST information (bigger than 20GB) are identified to trigger efficiency points in Outlook as Outlook requires extra processing energy and reminiscence to learn and write to a big PST file. Consequently, this could additionally lead to inconsistency within the PST file over the time and result in PST file corruption.
2. Outlook utility or system crash
If the system or Outlook crashes whereas Outlook is performing the write operation, the write operation may be interrupted that may trigger inconsistencies the subsequent time you begin Outlook. This could injury the PST file and result in corruption.
3. Incompatible or defective add-ins
Incompatible or defective third-party add-ins, particularly these put in from untrusted third-party supply, are identified to trigger points in Outlook. As all the information is saved in PST file, these add-ins can intervene the Outlook processes throughout read-write operations that may injury the PST file and trigger corruption, resulting in information loss.
4. Abrupt system or Utility shutdown
Power closing the Outlook or abrupt system shutdown as a consequence of energy failure may also have similar impression as Outlook or system crash. Abrupt system shutdown or pressure Outlook shut may also interrupt the Outlook learn/write operations to PST file that may injury the information file and trigger corruption.
5. Storage media errors
Storage errors, equivalent to file system errors or dangerous sectors, may also result in PST file corruption. File system errors can stop Outlook from finding the PST file in some cases that may result in Outlook information file errors. Equally, if the PST file is saved on a drive sector that has gone dangerous can result in PST file corruption.
6. Virus or malware intrusion
Virus or malware intrusion can alter the PST file properties or Outlook program information that can lead to PST file corruption and injury to your Outlook and different information in your PC.
Steps to Restore PST File in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016 and Older Variations
Observe the beneath steps to restore corrupt or broken PST file in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, and earlier variations.
Step 1: Backup PST File
First, backup your Outlook PST file. That is essential to keep away from any information loss. To backup your PST file, observe these steps:
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Open Outlook and right-click in your profile identify and select Open File Location.
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If Outlook will not be opening as a consequence of PST file corruption or injury, open Management Panel and click on Consumer Accounts > Mail.
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Click on Information Information after which copy the trail the place the PST file is positioned. You’ll be able to manually navigate to the trail through File Explorer or just click on Open File Location to view the PST file.
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Shut Outlook at this stage after which copy the PST file to a protected location, ideally on one other drive or folder.
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As soon as PST file backup is created, you possibly can attempt to restore the PST file with the assistance of PST restore software, mentioned in subsequent steps.
Word: The Mail choice in Management Panel is barely obtainable when you could have Outlook e-mail consumer put in on the system. In the event you already know the PST file location or have a backup PST file that you simply wish to restore, you possibly can skip to the steps mentioned beneath to restore the corrupt PST file.
Step 2. Use SCANPST or Inbox Restore Software
Corrupt, inconsistent, or broken PST information may cause a number of points in Outlook, equivalent to gradual efficiency, issues in sending and receiving emails, and so forth. In such circumstances, Outlook customers can use SCANPST or Inbox Restore Software. It’s a PST restore utility supplied by Microsoft with MS Workplace and Outlook set up. The software is positioned within the MS Workplace set up listing with the identify SCANPST.EXE.
You’ll be able to launch this system and observe these steps to restore the information file, i.e. PST.
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Click on Browse and choose the PST file. Then, click on Begin.
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The software will scan the PST file for errors and inconsistencies. If any errors are discovered, click on Restore.
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The software will by default create a backup of your PST file with the .bak extension on the similar location after which restore the unique PST file. The restore course of will take a while to complete.
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After the restore, begin Outlook usually.
Different Resolution – When SCANPST Falls Quick
SCANPST.EXE can solely repair minor points, errors, and inconsistencies in PST information. If the PST file is bigger than 2 GB, severely corrupt, broken, or encrypted, the SCANPST.EXE might fail to restore the file. In such a case, you should use a complicated PST restore software, equivalent to Stellar Restore for Outlook.
The software program helps you restore the PST file with full integrity and precision. It may assist you to get well all of the mail objects from the corrupt and inaccessible PST file in a number of clicks.
The software will also be used to handle numerous Outlook issues brought on by broken or corrupt PST file, equivalent to e-mail synchronization points or PST file corruption-related errors.
As well as,
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The software program supplies a user-friendly interface.
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Saves the recovered emails in a brand new wholesome PST file
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Export repaired PST file information on to Workplace 365 (Microsoft 365) or Microsoft Alternate Server mailbox – primarily based in your wants and desire.
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It repairs massive PST information (as much as 50 GB) with full integrity.
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It supplies superior filters to incorporate or exclude mail objects primarily based on numerous standards.
Conclusion
To troubleshoot and restore PST file in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, and older variations, you should use SCANPST or Inbox Restore software in Outlook. Nonetheless, the SCANPST software has some notable limitations, equivalent to 2 GB file dimension restrict and functionality to solely restore minor corruption points and errors. In case you have a big PST file or a PST file that can’t be repaired with SCANPST, you possibly can depend on a complicated Outlook restore software program, equivalent to Stellar Restore for Outlook. That is a complicated software program that may restore severely corrupt, broken, encrypted, or large-sized (as much as 50 GB) PST information with full integrity and precision.
