Summary: System upgrades, abrupt Outlook application shutdown, and oversized data file are some of the reasons that may cause Outlook error: “Outlook PST was not cleanly closed by the last program that used it.” In this post, we have mentioned the solutions to resolve the error quickly. We have also mentioned an advanced Outlook repair tool that can easily repair severely damaged or corrupt PST file.
![[Solved] Error “Outlook PST was not cleanly closed by the last program that used it”](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzUwOjU0MQ==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMjUyIDcyIiB3aWR0aD0iMjUyIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjcyIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==)
For Microsoft Outlook to run uninterruptedly, it is essential to perform proper maintenance and monitor the size of Outlook PST files, because even minor faults may cause an Outlook profile to become inaccessible. And once the user is stuck, there is only one way to resolve the issue – repair the outlook PST file.
The following reasons may cause the error: Outlook PST was not cleanly closed by the last program that used it:
Method 1: Archive, clean or compact large PST data:
Note: Microsoft Outlook runs ‘Sweep Rules’ once in a day, and the ‘Inbox Rules’ are applied as soon as an email arrives in the mailbox.
Method 2: Repair PST by using Scanpst.exe:
Note: Scanpst.exe may result in data loss hence, take a backup of PST file before starting with the manual repair process.
Scanpst.exe may not always be effective in resolving ‘Outlook PST was not cleanly closed by the last program that used it’ error, due to limitations like:
An Outlook Recovery software like Stellar Repair for Outlook can help overcome these shortcomings of scanpst.exe and provide a more efficient solution in case an Outlook PST was not cleanly closed and gets corrupted.
Method 3: Microsoft Outlook Repair Software
Outlook repair software selects the PST file and repairs the corrupt elements. You can save the corrected data as a new PST to reduce further chances of corruption.
An option to split the repaired PST allows users to split PST as per size or date. This functionality helps to reduce further chances of corruption. The software can also be used to compact the PST file.
Microsoft suggests taking the preventive measures for
The preventive measures help only till the time the error doesn’t affect the profile. Once the MS Outlook application gets stuck, it becomes imperative to use corrective solutions to repair Outlook data files.
As archiving and cleaning PST and Scanpst.exe may not help resolve the error in every instance, it is recommended to have an Outlook repair software as a more comprehensive solution.
Software such as ‘Stellar Repair for Outlook’ help resolve the problem and check PST file corruption by compacting or splitting the file. The software also saves the Outlook data as a backup in PST file and other formats after the repair process.
Eric Simson is an Email Platform Consultant and is associated with Stellar Data Recovery from last 6 years. He writes about the latest technology tips and provides custom solutions related to MS Outlook, MS Exchange Server, Office 365, and many other Email Clients & Servers.
Can you assure there is no missing data remaining back after using this tool?
Yes, You can definitely go with Stellar Repair for Outlook.
Yesterday, my PC faced power outrage issue. After this incident, I’m getting this error frequently.
What should I do now?