Microsoft Outlook is the most widely used email client in the world. Personal Storage Table (PST) is one of the Outlook Data file formats that Microsoft Outlook uses to store mailbox data, such as email folders, calendars, contacts, notes, attachments, etc. on the local machine. A PST file is also used to backup and restore Outlook mailbox data.
Sometimes, users face issues with the PST file due to various unexpected errors. For instance, a PST file may get corrupted when it becomes oversized or due to system crashes. While some issues can be easily resolved with Outlook's built-in Inbox Repair Tool called ScanPST.exe, others may seem complicated, leaving users with no clue as to how to fix them.
In this article, we have discussed how you can locate SCANPST.exe and use this free tool for repairing. PST files. Also, we have mentioned an advanced PST repair tool that can fix severely corrupt PST files, when SCANPST.exe fails.
How to Use ScanPST.exe for PST File Repair?
Follow the given steps to repair .pst files by using the Inbox Repair tool (SCANPST.exe):
Step 1: How to Locate SCANPST.EXE?
SCANPST.exe is a part of Outlook installation and is located in the MS Outlook installation directory. However, the location of SCANPST.exe varies based on the Outlook version installed on your system.
SCANPST.exe location as per Microsoft Outlook versions
In Outlook 2016, 2019 and 2021 versions
- 32-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\
- 64-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\
In Outlook 2013 version
- 32-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\
- 64-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\
In Outlook 2010 version
- 32-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\
- 64-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\
In Outlook 2007 Version
- 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\
- 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\
Other Locations where SCANPST.exe can be found:
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\1033\
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\1033
Step 2: How to Run the SCANPST.exe tool?
After you have located the Inbox Repair tool (Scanpst.exe), double-click on it to run. Then follow these steps to repair a corrupt. PST file:
- Click 'Browse' to choose the corrupt PST file and click 'Start'. The SCANPST tool will scan the corrupt PST file
- If the tool displays errors were found..., click the 'Make backup of scanned file before repairing' and then click 'Repair'
- After successful repair, you can access the repaired PST file from its original location
In case you encounter errors, such as PST in use appearing close MS Outlook, etc., then try again.
If ScanPST.exe fails to Repair a Corrupt PST File
Although ScanPST.exe is Microsoft's proprietary Inbox Repair tool, it is not fool-proof. The tool may fail to fix a damaged PST due to its limitations and under the following circumstances:
- ScanPST.exe is missing or damaged due to unknown application bugs or virus infections (applies to Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010)
- Unexpected errors in MS Outlook that ScanPST is not programmed to fix
- Severely damaged or corrupt PST file
Limitations of SCANPST Tool
- ScanPST.exe can't repair an encrypted PST file
- It cannot repair large PST files
- ScanPST.exe does not show any preview of PST file data.
In such situations, you need a more reliable Outlook repair tool than SCANPST.exe to fix PST file corruption and errors.
What is the Best SCANPST.exe Alternative for Outlook users?
When it comes to choosing an alternative solution to the ScanPST.exe or Inbox Repair tool for PST file repair with accuracy, Stellar Repair for Outlook is a name that you can trust. This easy-to-use tool scans severely damaged or corrupt PST files and recovers all mailbox contents, such as emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, and journals into a new usable PST, which can be directly imported into MS Outlook.
The product comes with an impressive Outlook file repair & recovery feature to help you salvage all your seemingly lost mailbox data from damaged PST in just a few clicks. It's also equipped with many user-friendly features, such as an interactive GUI, mail item preview after repair, and the option to 'Find' PST or save new PST at the desired location. These features make Stellar Repair for Outlook the best ScanPST alternative. It is a fast, secure, and reliable tool to fix PST errors with 100% integrity.
Steps to Scan and Repair Corrupt PST
To scan and recover data from damaged PST, download and install Stellar Repair for Outlook. Launch the software and then follow these steps:
Step 1: When Home Screen appears, you see two options: "Profile list" is an advanced auto-scan option. which lists all the PST files associated with your Outlook profiles. Select the desired Outlook PST file from the list, and click on the repair button.
Step 2: If you know the exact location of the Personal Storage Table (PST), click on the 'Browse' option. After selecting the targeted PST file, click on the 'Repair' button to initiate the repair process.
Step 4: Stellar Repair for Outlook tool scans through the corrupt PST file. The estimated time depends on the complexity and severity of corruption in the Outlook data file.
Step 5: Repaired items are displayed in the left panel of the 'Outlook mail preview' window. Click 'Browse' and check any of the mailbox items by selecting the right folder.
Step 6: You can save the scanned PST file information. Click on the 'Save Scan' button and save the scan information in DAT file at the preferred location. For later PST repair or recovery, you can use this file to load and analyze the PST file scan results directly.
Step 7: To load scanned information of any corrupt PST file, click the 'Load Scan' button and choose the DAT file.
The Load Scan feature is useful when you want to scan and repair large PST files. This can take longer and you may need to stop the scanning process in between. The feature helps save the scanned part, which can be loaded back to resume the PST repair and recovery process?from the point of saving the scan.
Step 8: Select the folder you wish to recover and click the 'Save Repaired File' button from the 'File' menu. Select the saving file format as 'PST' from the multiple saving options and click on 'Browse' to select the right location where you want to save the recovered PST file.
Step 9: Click 'OK' to initiate the process. A progress bar displays the status of the saving file.
Step 10: Once the new PST is saved, a 'pop-up' appears with appropriate notification. Click on 'OK' to complete the PST repair process.
Support & Software Specifications
One of the major strengths of this software is its wide compatibility. The software can work smoothly on:
Operating System: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista
Microsoft Outlook: 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 (XP), & 2000. It also supports MS Office 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 (64-bit version), 2007 & 2003
Conclusion
We have discussed the ScanPST.exe tool and the reasons for ScanPST tool failure, followed by the best ScanPST.exe alternative to repair and recover mailbox data from a severely corrupt or large PST file(s).
However, the most important aspect is to keep a backup copy of the PST file before performing any operations on it. Especially, if you are using ScanPST.exe utility. In case the scanPST.exe or Outlook Inbox Repair tool fails, you can always take the help of a professional PST repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Outlook .
The tool comes with additional features like saving recovered mails in EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF formats and can also help you repair the encrypted & password-protected PST files.