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Outlook - Fix corrupted Outlook data file (.PST)

Outlook - Fix corrupted Outlook data file (.PST)

This article outlines the steps to fix a corrupted Outlook Data File (.PST) in Microsoft Outlook, including using the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) and creating a new Outlook profile if necessary.

Instructions

 

Before starting the repair process, ensure Outlook is fully closed.

  1. Open File Explorer on your computer.

  1. Navigate to the appropriate folder for your version of Outlook

    C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16

  2. Locate and double-click SCANPST.EXE to launch the Inbox Repair Tool.

    image-20260413-212201.png

  3. In the "Enter the name of the file you want to scan" field, browse and select the corrupted .pst file.

  4. Click Start to begin the scan.

  5. If errors are found, click Repair to fix them.

  6. Once the repair is complete, open Outlook and check if the issue is resolved.

  7. If the issue persists, after the repair process, proceed to create a new Outlook profile and follow the steps here.