Open Discussion: Steps to Repair Damaged/Broken Outlook Archive (.pst) Files
An Archive is a method to reduce the overall volume of the Outlook Data File. It is required when the increased volume of the PST mailbox starts affecting the Outlook performance to a noticeable extent. It is also used for storing older mailbox contents that are not required frequently.
Many users consider it as a backup strategy, but it is quite different from the traditional backup technique as archived components are moved to a separate Outlook PST and can be accessed when required. Sometimes, archive.pst denies access due to traces of corruption that the file encounters. In such cases, it becomes important to repair corrupt Outlook archive PST file to gain access to inaccessible data.
Introduction to ScanPST.exe
Outlook offers a helpful utility named as ScanPST, also known as Inbox Repair Tool to repair the corrupt archive.pst file. The location of the archive.pst is based on the version of the Windows installed on the system as shown below:
For Outlook 2010:
Windows 7 & Windows Vista:
“<drive :> \Users\<Your LogInName>\Documents\Outlook Files\archive.pst”
Windows XP:
“<drive :> \Documents and Settings\<Your LogInName>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\archive.pst”
Note:
If any previous version of Outlook is installed on the machine, the archive that is created on the previous version can be found at the following location:
Windows 7 and Windows Vista:
“<drive :> \Users\<Your LogInName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\archive.pst”
Windows XP:
“<drive :> \Documents and Settings\<Your LogInName>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\archive.pst”
Tips:
- Before you launch ScanPST.exe, close Outlook application, and backup the PST file that needs to be repaired.
- Next, execute ScanPST.exe which is normally located at “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15.”
- The location of ScanPST.exe may vary depend on the version of the Office installed on the machine. You can find it using Search function available in Windows explorer.
Below is the process to execute ScanPST.exe to Repair Corrupt Archive.pst :
- Double-click on ‘ScanPST.exe’ to launch the PST Repair software
2. Click on the Browse button to locate the corrupt PST file
3. Once the file is located, click on the Open button to upload the archive.pst file
4. Next, click on Start to begin the repair procedure
Note: The tool will then begin analyzing the archive.pst for consistency check that consists of 8 phases. Some of the phases take a bit longer based on the volume and level of corruption within the file. Once the analysis phase is completed, the tool will display a scan report along with further alternates.
- Click on the Details button to get more information about existing corruption
6. Next, click on Repair button to initiate the actual repairing procedure
Note: It is recommended to backup your data before you start repairing corrupt Outlook archive PST files. Once you press the Repair button, the tool will execute the 8 phases once again. This might take longer (up to 30 minutes approx.) if the archive.pst is larger in volume.
- If the repair procedure is executed successfully, the tool will display ‘Repair Complete’ Click on OK to close the message box
8. Next, start MS Outlook and access the archive.pst file to check the integrity of integral data components
Important Points!
- When the Inbox Repair Tool initiates the repair procedure, it might appear like the process hangs in between, while it actually doesn’t. In fact, the tool is making a replica of the selected archive.pst file in the background.
- The time that the inbuilt PST repair software or ScanPST takes in making a copy of the selected file solely depends on the volume of the file as well as the speed of the system hard drive.
- If the process remains in a hang state after 10 minutes and if there is no hard drive activity or the repair procedure has actually not begun, there might be an issue with the repair process itself.
- If so, you might need to abort the repair procedure by interrupting the scanpst.exe from the Task Manager. To abort the process, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete simultaneously and then select the Processes tab. Then click on scanpst.exe and click on End Task button
In case the repair process fails, try to start it once again. However, ensure that the Backup option is disabled. If the Inbox Repair tool repeatedly fails to recover data from the selected archive.pst file, it can be concluded that the tool is not capable of handling the extent of corruption. Also, the file might involve higher intensity corruption which is beyond the repair capabilities of ScanPST.exe. Here, it is important to mention that the tool is capable of dealing with lower level corruption, while it fails to repair files at a higher corruption level.
The Way Forward
Keeping this in mind, it is recommended to employ a proficient PST file recovery tool with the capability to handle higher extent of damage in the PST file. Stellar Repair for Outlook helps to deal with all kinds of corruption issues existing within the Outlook data files. Moreover, the professional tool can repair both password-protected and encrypted PST files while the built-in Inbox Repair tool fails to provide any extensive repair features.
I had been closing Outlook 2013 improperly since quite a long time. Now, whenever I try to open Outlook, I get the error: Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook, Use Inbox Repair Tool.
Even tried repairing the PST using ScanPST.exe but even that supposedly doesn’t solve the issue.
Please help!!!
How can I get the Full version PST repair software?
Simple!
You just need to complete the online purchase process from here
After completing the payment process, you will receive a license key of the software via ‘Email’.
If you face any kind of trouble, then contact our technical support team over Chat, email or phone (Toll-free).
Is any trick to identify the damage in archive PST file?
We have around 13+ different pst files of old employees.
Try to open archive PST file in MS Outlook application. If it throws an error or fails to load emails then the probability of damage in Outlook database file(.pst) is 100%.
Don’t panic about the data of previous employees. You can try free demo of our PST Repair Software. It is capable of repairing multiple files without loss of a single item.
Our team has no idea about the version of corrupt archive PST file.
Is it necessary to detect the version of Outlook data file before initiating repair process?
Hello Billy,
You have no reason to worry about the detection of Outlook version for corrupt archive PST files. Our software automatically finds the corrupt PST file and start the repair process. For better understanding, you should try the free demo version.
Why ScanPST.exe is not opening at local PC.
Is it compatible with Windows 10 Pro operating system?
ScanPST.exe is an inbuilt solution which comes with all versions of MS Outlook. Sometimes, the content of ScanPST.exe is emptied by virus/malware or unknown error.
How can I detect the list of Outlook archive file automatically?
I am not aware of the location of these files.
Go through “Home” Interface of the software and click on “Find Outlook File”. This function helps you to find the list of all PST files available at selected drive.
ScanPST.exe is unable to detect corrupt PST file at the external hard drive. So, I can consider about Stellar PST Repair.
Hello Eric,
Thanks for your valuable suggestion. Now, I have decided to move PST file from network share to external hard drive.
However, I didn’t face any problem like Darryl but follow your advice like a defensive approach.
Yesterday, I failed to access PST files which were available on local LAN. I never faced this kind of problem with this one email database file.
I have shared this issue with IT team of the company today. As per their suggestion, I am trying free demo of Stellar PST Repair. But, I have a curiosity to know the valid reason of reported damage in Outlook PST file.
Can anyone explain?
As per guideline of Microsoft Inc., Users should not keep PST file on network drives, common share or LAN network. It can damage the data structure of your Outlook PST file.
I hope, you will avoid this kind of practice in upcoming days.
I need to repair corrupt Outlook archive in Outlook 2016. But, I am not aware of the ScanPST.exe location.
Some other details as follows:
PC Vendor: Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
If possible please guide me as soon possible.
Thanks,
Larry Smith
Colorado, USA
Hello Larry,
To run ScanPST.exe in Outlook 2016 or Office 365 environment, go through the predefined path – “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office16\“.