How to fix when Outlook does not recognize pst file

Microsoft Outlook is the world’s most used email client to date. Outlook saves its data in a PST file, i.e., Personal Storage Table. It is an Outlook data file that helps in storing the local copies of messages, calendars, tasks, etc., and is saved on your PC. Due to MS Outlook’s huge popularity, it gets bombarded with various new problems. One such problem is “How to fix when Outlook does not recognize pst file.”

Reason for PST file corruption

A few of the reasons for PST file corruption are given below:

• Network issues

People prefer to keep their data online but network issues sometimes occur while working. At those time, the PST file becomes corrupted. Hence can no longer be used.

• Hard drive bad sector

Bad sectors present in the hard drive corrupt the PST files that are saved on it. Hence, always prevent saving PST files on a bad sector.

• Harmful software

Downloading and installation of any type of malicious software leads to the breakdown of PST files and henceforth it cannot be used further.

• Abrupt power failure

While working on the PST file, if power failure suddenly happens then the PST becomes corrupted and can no longer be used.

• File system recovery

If you are doing file system recovery, then a single mistake might corrupt your whole PST file. You need to be very attentive while recovering the file system.

Few manual methods to fix Outlook when it does not recognize PST file

Method 1: Using Inbox Repair tool

Inbox Repair Tool is the tool provided by Microsoft that repairs the PST file.

• Click on the File Explorer and then go to the path

Outlook 2007:

• (32 bit)- C\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12
• (64 bit)- C\Program Files(×86)\Microsoft Office\Office12

Outlook 2010:

• (32 bit)- C\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14
• (64 bit)- C\Program Files(×86)\Microsoft Office\Office14

Outlook 2013:

• (32 bit)- C\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15
• (64 bit)- C\Program Files(×86)\Microsoft Office\Office15

Outlook 2016:

• (32 bit)- C\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
• (64 bit)- C\Program Files(×86)\Microsoft Office\Office16
• Next, click on the scanpst.exe and then open the unrecognized PST file.
  
• Now, click on the Start button.
  
• The file will be scanned and if any error is existing then click on the Repair button.
  
• The PST file will soon be repaired and then the Repair completed dialog box is shown.

Method 2: Check background Outlook related processes

• Press all the keys together, Ctrl+Shift+Esc, and then Task Manager will be opened.
• Now, go to the Processes tab and then search for the name Outlook communicator, Lync, UCMAPI and end it.
• Now, close the Task Manager and then finally restart the Microsoft Outlook.

Automatic method to fix Outlook when it does not recognize PST file

Another method to fix the Outlook PST file is by using specialized software known as PST Repair Software. This software works wonders in recovering unrecognizable and corrupted PST files. One could also recover deleted items very easily. The resultant file can also be converted to other different formats. The steps of using PST Repair software are as follows:

1. Download and install Aryson Outlook PST Repair Software on your PC.
2. Click on the Browse button to select an unrecognizable PST file for repairing.
3. Next, select Recovery Mode for scanning the PST file and click on the OK button to continue.
4. After a few minutes, scanning processes are completed, then click on the OK button.
5. Click on the recovered PST file mailbox folder in the tree structure to check its preview.
6. Now, select the mailbox folder(s) you want to recover, and click the Save button.
7. Now, click Browse to define a location for a new OST file. Click OK.
8. Now define other options like Hierarchy starts, Adding PST to Outlook, and Date Range. Click OK to start the saving process.
9. The saving process is being conducted on your system.
10. Within a couple of minutes, the saving process will be completed, and click on the OK button to close the software application.

Conclusion

PST file becomes unrecognizable due to various reasons. One could repair such files using many methods. Few of the methods are listed above. One such method described above uses automated software called PST Repair software. This could repair your PST files in few minutes without any hassle.

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