How to Repair and Recover Corrupted PST File?

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most widely used email clients across the globe for personal and business communication. Outlook stores mailbox data such as emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and journals in a file format known as PST (Personal Storage Table). While PST files are convenient, they are also prone to corruption and damage. A corrupted PST file can make your emails inaccessible, cause missing folders, or even prevent Outlook from opening entirely.

If you’re facing such issues, don’t worry this guide explains the causes of PST file corruption, manual repair methods, and the best way to recover corrupted PST files using EdbMails Outlook PST Repair tool. Whether you want to restore damaged Outlook data, migrate between versions, or create a backup, EdbMails provides a comprehensive and reliable solution.

Common Reasons for PST File Corruption

Before attempting recovery, it’s important to understand what leads to PST corruption. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Oversized PST files – Older versions of Outlook (2002 and earlier) had a 2GB file size limit. Even in newer versions (2010 and later), very large PST files (20GB–50GB) are prone to corruption.
   
2. Sudden system shutdowns – Power failures or forced shutdowns while Outlook is open can damage the PST file.
   
3. Improper Outlook closure – If Outlook does not close properly, it may leave the PST file in an inconsistent state.
   
4. Hard drive failures or bad sectors – Storage media issues can corrupt PST files.
   
5. Virus or malware attacks – Malicious programs often target Outlook data files.
   
6. Software conflicts – Third-party add-ins or faulty Outlook updates can trigger file corruption.

When PST corruption occurs, users may encounter errors such as “The file filename.pst cannot be opened”, “Outlook cannot start”, or “Errors have been detected in the file”.

Symptoms of a Corrupted PST File

• Outlook crashes frequently or freezes during startup.
  
• Folders and emails disappear unexpectedly.
  
• Unable to send or receive emails.
  
• Error messages when accessing the PST file.
  
• Slow performance when opening or navigating through Outlook.

If you notice these symptoms, immediate repair is recommended to prevent further data loss.

Manual Methods to Repair PST Files

Microsoft provides an inbuilt repair utility known as ScanPST.exe (Inbox Repair Tool) to fix minor issues in PST files.

1. Locate ScanPST.exe in your Outlook installation folder.
   
2. Run the tool and browse to the corrupted PST file.
   
3. Click Start to begin scanning.
   
4. If errors are found, select Repair.

Limitations of ScanPST.exe:

• Works only for minor corruption.
  
• Cannot recover encrypted or severely damaged PST files.
  
• Large files (above 20GB) may cause ScanPST to freeze or fail.
  
• Data integrity is not guaranteed.

For severely corrupted PST files or large data recovery, a professional PST repair tool is essential.

Why Choose EdbMails Outlook PST Repair Tool?

EdbMails Outlook PST Repair and Recovery software is a trusted solution designed for IT administrators, businesses, and individuals who need to repair and restore PST files without data loss.

Key Features of EdbMails PST Repair Tool:

• Repairs corrupted, damaged, orphaned, and encrypted PST files.
  
• Supports recovery from large PST files without file size limitations.
  
• Preserves email formatting, metadata, folder structure, and attachments.
  
• Extracts specific items like emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks.
  
• Allows PST to PST conversion for backup, migration, or reorganization.
  
• Exports PST data directly to Office 365 and live Exchange Server.
  
• Provides granular recovery with advanced filters (date, subject, to/from).
  
• Supports all Outlook versions (2003 to the latest).

With its user-friendly interface and advanced recovery engine, EdbMails ensures complete mailbox recovery in just a few steps.

Step-by-Step Guide: Repair and Recover Corrupted PST Files with EdbMails

1. Download EdbMails from the official site: Download EdbMails PST Recovery Software.
   
2. Install the application on a Windows system.
   
3. Launch the tool and log in with your email address and password, or start a free trial.
   
4. From the dashboard, choose Outlook PST Recovery and Migration.
   
5. Select PST to PST if you want to recover and export into a new PST file.
   
6. Click Browse for PST file. Select the corrupted or inaccessible PST file from your system.
   
7. Select the location to store the new PST file
   
8. EdbMails performs a deep scan of the PST file and displays the mailbox structure.
   
9. You can preview emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, and more.
   
10. Choose the required mailboxes or folders.
    
11. Click Start Export to begin the export operation

👉Detailed Guide: Outlook PST Recovery and Export Step by Step Guide

EdbMails also allows direct migration from PST files:

• PST to Office 365 migration
  
• PST to Exchange Migration
  
  

Post-Recovery Best Practices

Once you have successfully repaired the PST file, consider these best practices:

• Backup PST files regularly using the EdbMails Outlook Backup tool.
  
• Split large PST files to avoid exceeding Outlook’s performance limits.
  
• Use strong antivirus protection to prevent malware attacks.
  
• Always close Outlook properly before shutting down your system.
  
• Store PST files on reliable and healthy storage devices.
  
  

Benefits of Using EdbMails for PST Repair

1. Maintains original folder hierarchy, email metadata, and attachments.
   
2. High Compatibility – Works with all Outlook and Windows versions.
   
3. Advanced Recovery Options – Repair, export, backup, and migrate in one solution.
   
4. Security First – All data remains on your system; no third-party access.
   
5. Unlimited Recovery – Recover large or multiple PST files without size restrictions.
   
   

Final Thoughts

PST file corruption in Outlook can disrupt your work and cause severe data loss. While Microsoft’s ScanPST.exe can repair small issues, it is not sufficient for severely corrupted, oversized, or encrypted PST files.The EdbMails Outlook PST Repair Tool provides a comprehensive solution to repair, recover, backup, and migrate PST files with complete data integrity. Whether you’re an IT admin managing large mailboxes or an individual safeguarding personal data, EdbMails makes the process seamless and reliable.