Repair a PST If Outlook Can’t Open It

Most of the errors in Outlook arises because of corruption in it Personal Folder File(PST), which further results in the isolation of all the data.

What’s next? Well, if your PST file gets corrupt, you’ll have to repair it.

There are a couple of methods you can try with to fix PST file not opening error in outlook. Which is reliable and safe to use? Let’s take a look which way will tackle the task effectively.

Note: Take a backup of your data file before performing any operations on it.

Repair PST file using ScanPST.exe

First of all, you’ll have to open ScanPST.exe utility which is included with Outlook by default. There is no shortcut to access this toolkit, but you have to find it in the Outlook folder. Then locate the PST file which is not opening and then run the tool.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Exit Outlook if it is running.

Step 2: Find ScanPST.exe on your computer (it can usually found at :\Program Files\Microsoft Office\)

Step 3: Double click on ScanPST.exe.

Step 4: Browse to locate the PST file that needs to be repaired or physically type its location in the box “Enter the name of the file you want to scan”.

If you are not aware of the location of your PST, these steps will help you find it:

• Launch Outlook and Click File -> Info -> Account Settings -> Account Settings -> Data Files
• Note the path and file name of your .pst file
• Click Close -> OK and exit Outlook

Step 5: Click on “Start” to initiate the repair process.

Step 6: Once the process ends, launch Outlook and create a new PST in your profile.

Step 7: Drag the recovered items (these will be present in a ‘Lost and Found’ folder) to your new PST.

These steps apply to Outlook 2010 and later versions including Outlook 2016. For Outlook 2007 and previous versions, replace step 2 with “Click Tools -> Options -> Mail Setup ->Data Files”. And also, this method is quite straightforward and easy to follow. However, it suffers from certain limitations!

Limitations of ScanPST.exe

• Risk of data loss
• Unable to repair more than 2GB PST file

To overcome these limitations, the recommended way to go is using an advanced tool called Yodot Outlook PST file Repair Software.

Key Benefits of the tool

• Fixes outlook .pst cannot be opened issue and restores all email items along with other attributes into a new PST file
• Supports repairing encrypted as well as password protected PST file
• Easily repairs large sized PST files
• Not only helps in fixing cannot open outlook PST file error, but also repair Outlook data file error on all versions of MS Outlook like MS Outlook 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016

Steps for resolving "cannot open Outlook PST file" error

In order to mend PST file, follow these below steps:

• Download Yodot Outlook PST Repair software and install it to your Windows computer
• As soon as the software is successfully installed, run it and begin the process of repairing corrupted PST file
• Main screen shows three options which are “Open PST File” “Run PST File” and “Select Outlook Profile”



• Select anyone option with respect to your need
• Specify the location where you need to save repaired PST file
• Select anyone scanning method and then hit on “Repair” to start the repair process



• Once the scanning is done, you will get a message about successful repair of Outlook PST file



• Preview recovered items from fixed Outlook PST file and then go to the location where you have saved Outlook PST file