Scanpst.exe

Scanpst.exe is a utility used to correct MS Outlook PST files. Scanpst can partially fix internal PST file database issues but in many cases you will need to get one of these alternative party Scanpst.exe tool.


Scanpst.exe
It's possible to split PST mailboxes into different files located locally or on a network driver. The problem is that although a network driver may seem like a local drive (drive mapping) network drive not offers the same performance being a local one (i.e. C drive). Therefore Outlook may face problems to get hold of the PST file situated on the network server understanding that may lead sooner or later to corrupt PST file which demand a repair with scanpst.exe



If this kind of failure happens, it's possible to restore your PST file mailbox first with backup software that is daily backup within your network storage. However, since the mailbox data could have some crucial business data you could should not lose even a day of work.



If restoring the mailbox data located in your inaccessible PST file is essential, you can try and make use of the Scanpst.exe utility. Scanpst.exe location is in your Outlook installation folder (Some think it's under the default installation folder i.e. c:\program files). If you can't think it is the very best is merely to operate the search program in order to find the scanpst.exe directly.



Typical PST errors:



"The file F:\archive.pst is not an personal folders file."



(you are able to replace the letter F with your personal network drive letter).



Reason for the PST error:



The above error indicates that Outlook cannot browse the PST database since it is corrupt. The file does not have valid database structure. Another possible cause is you simply do not have access to network connection to the PST file. If so it's very simple to solve it and merely call your network administrator to correct it.



Please take into account that Outlook PST database file was not built to work with slow connections including network drives. Oftentimes the bond is slowing during saving data or file closing which in several times cause data lose and PST file corruption.



Can Scanpst.exe solve it?



Scanpst.exe is definitely a limited solution. In many cases it fails but as this is a free tool you better run it first bear in mind, first rule before starting a recovery process is always backup. You will not like to damage the file even more compared to the current state than it. So please produce a copy of the PST file and let scanpst.exe make an effort to fix the copy only.