Outlook Email Recovery

If you are working on MS Outlook as your personal email client and information manager then you must be aware that you are using a PST file on your system. PST files are the repository of all your precious outlook data such as emails, notes, contacts, tasks and so on. Therefore, to prevent data loss from the PST file, one needs to have enough information on how to repair it. At times when PST files get corrupt, MS Outlook offers you a tool that corrects the issue without restoring from a backup.

The utility we are talking about here is called Inbox Repair Tool or Scanpst.exe and is installed on the hard drive at the time when MS Outlook is installed. In a practical scenario, you might come across an error message mentioned below when you try to open an Outlook folder or access data from it:

“Unable to expand the folder. The set of folders could not be opened. Errors could have been detected in the file drive:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.pst. Quit all mail-enabled applications, and then use the Inbox Repair Tool.”

To repair the Outlook PST file, you have to go through these steps:

1.Click Run on the Start menu of Windows desktop

2.In Open box, type string mentioned below:
drive:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\LocaleID\scanpst.exe
Over here Locale id is the LCID (Locale Identifier) for the installation of MS Office. Get the help of Microsoft Office for further support.

3.After this click on OK

4.Enter the name of the file that you want to scan in the scan text box, type the file name and path given in the error message. You might be unable to utilize the browse button for tracing PST file as it is located in hidden Windows folder.

5.To change the options of log errors whilst the scan, click Options. If you choose Replace log or Append to log, the log file gets saved in the same directory containing .pst file.

6. Again click on Start on the Windows desktop

7.After the file scan gets completed, chose the Make a backup of scanned file prior to repairing check box.

8.Now click on Repair

If somehow Scanpst.exe tool fails to resolve the problem and repairs the PST file, you have to use the backup copy of damaged PST file to restore it. Using the backup copy, you have to follow steps given below:

1.Start MS Outlook

2.Click on Data File Management option in the File menu

3.Select the corrupt Outlook PST file and then click Remove

4.Click Add and select the PST, click OK

5.Select PST that you want to use as new primary file

6.Click OK

However, relying on Inbox Repair Tool completely is not recommended as in many cases, it fails in resolving corruption issues caused by malicious virus and dirty system shutdowns. That’s why; maintaining a fresh backup of the data is often suggested. In case if the Scanpst.exe fails to repair the PST file, you need to have complete back or in case of absence of PST backup, you have to go for third party applications. Kernel for PST Recovery is strong and result-oriented software that methodologically scans damaged PST files and extracts all inaccessible or damaged data from it. They not only ensure faster recovery but also help in achieving absolutely accurate recovery.