How to Repair a Corrupt Outlook OST File

If you’re experiencing issues with your Outlook data file (.OST), it’s important to act quickly to prevent further data loss. A corrupt OST file can prevent you from accessing your emails, contacts, and other important information stored in Outlook. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to repair a corrupted OST file and recover your data.

Use the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe)

One of the most effective tools for repairing a corrupt OST file is the Inbox Repair Tool, also known as scanpst.exe. This utility is included with Outlook and can be used to diagnose and repair errors in your Outlook data files.

To use the Inbox Repair Tool, follow these steps:

1. Make sure Outlook is closed.
2. Locate the scanpst.exe file. This file is typically found in the following locations, depending on your Outlook version:
   • Outlook 2019/2016: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
   • Outlook 2013: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
   • Outlook 2010: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
   • Outlook 2007: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
3. Double-click the scanpst.exe file to open the Inbox Repair Tool.
4. Click the “Browse” button and locate the corrupted OST file you want to repair.
5. Click “Start” to begin the scan. The tool will check the file for errors and provide you with the option to repair them.
6. If the scan finds errors, click “Repair” to start the repair process. This may take some time, depending on the size of your OST file.
7. Once the repair is complete, start Outlook with the profile associated with the repaired OST file.

It’s important to note that the Inbox Repair Tool may not be able to recover all the data from a severely corrupted OST file. In some cases, you may need to create a new Outlook profile and import your data from a backup.

Create a New Outlook Data File (.PST)

If the Inbox Repair Tool is unable to fix your corrupted OST file, you can try creating a new Outlook data file (.PST) and importing your data into it. Here’s how:

1. Start Outlook and go to the “File” tab.
2. Click “Open & Export” and then select “Open Outlook Data File”.
3. In the “Open Outlook Data File” dialog, click “Browse” and navigate to the location where you want to create the new .PST file.
4. Enter a name for the new .PST file and click “OK”.
5. Once the new .PST file is created, you can import your data from the corrupted OST file. To do this, go to the “File” tab, click “Open & Export”, and then select “Import/Export”.
6. In the “Import and Export Wizard”, select “Import from another program or file” and click “Next”.
7. Select “Outlook Data File (.PST)” and click “Next”.
8. Click “Browse” and locate the corrupted OST file you want to import. Select the file and click “OK”.
9. In the “Options” section, select “Do not import duplicates” and click “Next”.
10. Review the import settings and click “Finish” to start the import process.

Once the import is complete, you can use the new .PST file as your primary Outlook data file.