How to Fix Corrupted Outlook OST File?

Offline Storage Table simply called as OST file, is a Microsoft Outlook storage file. The benefit of OST file is that it allows users to work on Outlook even if the application is disconnected from Exchange Server

So, you can compose new emails, save them in drafts, read or delete existing emails, etc. even in offline mode. Once the internet connection is retrieved, whatever changes you have made to the Outlook OST file gets automatically synchronized with Exchange Server.

Actually, OST files are a carbon copy of mailbox lying on Microsoft Exchange Server and are stored on computer hard drive. Therefore, damage to Exchange Server does not affect OST file saved on your hard drive.

How OST File Gets Corrupt or Damaged?

We know that Exchange Server issues do not affect OST file saved on the local drive. But, there are few factors which affect OST file, like corrupted storage medium where OST file is saved, synchronization failure with Exchange Server, etc. hence your OST file gets corrupted or damaged.

Solutions to Fix Damaged/Corrupt OST File:

Method #1: OST Integrity Check Tool

The OST Integrity Check is a Microsoft inbuilt repair application used to diagnose and repair OST file. The tool works by scanning both your OST and mailbox file running on Exchange Server. It compares items and folders in each file and attempts to resolve synchronization differences between them. To use this tool, you must be connected to your Exchange account server.

How to Fix OST File Using Scanost.exe?

Step 1: Terminate MS Outlook before starting the repair process.

Step 2: Open Scanost.exe by double-clicking on it, the default location is drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE12 (the destination folder path varies depending on your Outlook version).

Step 3: If you have multiple Outlook accounts, the tool will prompt you to choose the OST file that you need to repair.

Step 4: If you are asked to Work Offline, click Connect and choose the option according to your need.

Step 5: Select Repair Errors checkbox to automatically resolve errors while scanning OST file. At last, click on the Begin Scan button.

Limitations of Scanost.exe:

There are few drawbacks, which are related to OST Integrity Check Tool like:

• Capable of repairing only minor corruption issues
• Do not recover data from OST file
• There’s no guarantee for the safety of the data
• The tool is unavailable in Outlook 2010 or later release

Method #2: Automated Way to Fix Corrupt/Damaged OST File

When scanost.exe fails to fix the issues with the OST file, the only option left out with you is choosing the trusted third party tool like Yodot OST to PST Converter tool to convert a corrupt OST file to a equivalent and healthy PST file. One cannot fix a corrupt OST file with any tool, and the only way to fix OST file is by converting OST to a healthy PST file. The tool converts OST file, and imports all it's contents like emails, notes, tasks, RSS Feeds, contacts, and other attributes to a healthy PST file. Yodot OST to PST Converter tool is available for free download, which converts the corrupt OST to a PST file, and allows free preview of the converted file and it's contents before activating the complete version of the software.

Additional Info: While moving your PST to another physical location through USB drive, things can go wrong making your pen drive corrupt. In such instances instead of thinking my pen drive is corrupted and unreadable, you can make use of Yodot data recovery products to reach your PST and other files on USB flash drive with utmost ease.

Steps to Convert Corrupt OST to PST File:

• Download and install Yodot OST to PST Converter software to a healthy Windows computer / laptop
• Open the application by using desktop shortcut or via start menu
• The main screen displays two options, "Open OST File” and “Find OST File”
• Use "Open OST File" option to select your OST file, if you know its exact file location or use “Find OST File” option to search for your exchange OST file
• The next screen, allows you to browse for the destination location to save the converted file
• Click on “Convert” button to initiate the conversion process
• The software converts the OST file, after which it shows a notification message like “OST file conversion completed” after successful conversion

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