How to Resolve "The file .pst is not an outlook data file" Error?

Are you troubled while trying to open Outlook PST file? Is it opening with an error message, ‘.pst is not an Outlook data file' every time when you launch Outlook? Or are you encountering “PST Is Not an Outlook Data File” error while importing PST file?

Well, “PST is not an Outlook data file” error message is signifying that your Outlook PST file is not accessible and has become corrupted. Generally, Outlook users come across this error when PST file corrupted or damaged due to virus attack, header issues, improper import, bad CRC and other similar factors. Since PST file is highly exposed to corruption, errors are very common among Outlook users. Hence you need a proper solution to fix PST file error "PST file is not an Outlook data file" on your Windows computer.

Try these manual solutions to fix "PST is not an Outlook Data File" Error:

Fix 1# Verify Your PST File is not a Read Only Attribute

Right-click on your Outlook PST file and select Properties. In General, tab uncheck Read-only option under Attributes. Now, open Outlook, select File option, then Open. Click on Open Outlook File and import your PST file.

If you are accessing PST file saved on a removable storage device, then copy the file to your computer HDD.

Fix 2# Run Inbox Repair Tool

In a few circumstances, the user can resolve this PST is not an Outlook data file error with the help of Scanpst.exe tool (Inbox Repair tool) that comes with Outlook application. This free inbuilt PST repair tool can diagnose and repair issues with your Outlook data file PST. So, when you encounter PST is not an Outlook data file error and cannot access your Outlook data, close the Outlook application first and run Scanpst.exe program to fix the error.

To run ScanPST,

• Go to “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16” (for Outlook 2016) and double-click on the scanpst.exe file
• Use Browse option and select your PST file showing PST is not an Outlook data file error
• Click on the Start button and wait for the completion of the scanning process
• If ScanPST shows any error, make a backup of the scanned file before repairing and hit the Repair button

Note: Location of ScanPST for other Outlook versions

• Outlook 2019 on a 64 bit version of Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office19
• Outlook 2019 on a 32 bit version of Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office19
• Outlook 2016 on a 64 bit version of Windows: C:\Program Files(x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
• Outlook 2016 on a 32 bit version of Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
• Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office15
• Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office14
• Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office1

However, this Inbox Repair tool has a drawback that it cannot resolve errors and repair PST file when it is corrupted to an extreme level and sometimes, it may lead to further damage of repaired data file. Therefore, you can turn to efficient professional PST repair utility to get rid of error "PST is not an Outlook data file". One such perfect fix is Yodot Outlook PST Repair that can solve all your Outlook issues.

Yodot Outlook PST Repair - Free Software to Fix .pst is not an outlook data file error:

You can run Yodot Outlook PST Repair application on Windows computer to fix Outlook issues, regardless of the causes for PST file corruption. You can rely on this PST file recovery tool to fix error "PST is not an Outlook data file" effortlessly. This is renowned software that comes with smart and automated PST repair module to identify and resolve different errors shown by Outlook PST file. The program deeps scan the broken file, creates a healthy and error-free data file. With the aid of this software, the user can repair error message in Microsoft Outlook after bad CRC, import error, synchronization error, header error and all other types of errors which are making the file inaccessible on Outlook.

In addition, this PST data recovery software facilitates users to fix corrupted or damaged PST file in Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, Outlook 2007, Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2000 versions. During the PST file repair process, this tool retrieves emails, contacts, notes, appointments, tasks and other deleted Outlook attributes from erroneous Outlook data file.

How to Fix PST is Not an Outlook Data File Error with Yodot Outlook Repair?

Step 1: Launch Outlook PST Repair, click on the Open PST File button and select the PST file that is showing PST is not an Outlook data file error.

Step 2: Next, select Smart Scan and mention destination location to save the repaired file. Click the Repair button.

Step 3: After the completion of repair process, preview the repaired PST file personal folders in Outlook styled interface and import it into your Outlook profile.