Microsoft Outlook, which is the undisputed leader in the segment of corporate email clients on desktop PCs, stores user data in OST and PST files. OST - the file is a cached copy of the user's mailbox stored on the MS Exchange server. PSTIs a personal folders file containing user emails and stored locally on the computer. Quite a large number of Outlook users, to one degree or another, faced problems opening pst files due to their corruption. The inability to open the archive with letters by the user results in a headache for administrators and technical services. support.

In this article, we will talk about the main causes of damage to personal pst files and a simple technique for recovering them.

Reasons for damaged personal folders archive files Outlook can be different: it can be both errors on the file system (in this case, you should start with), or damage to the structure of pst files caused by emergency closing of the Outlook client (most common), power failure, virus actions, due to storage pst files on a shared network folder (this configuration is not supported by Microsoft), etc.

Also, do not forget about the limitations on the maximum pst file size in different versions of Outlook. If the maximum file size is exceeded or when a large file is opened in an old version of the mail client, Outlook may not work correctly. Pst file size limitsthe following:

• Outlook 2002 and earlier - pst files are ANSI format and are limited to 2 GB in size
• Outlook 2003 and Outlook 2007 - 20 GB limit
• Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2013 - pst / ost files are Unicode and are limited to a maximum size of 50 GB

In addition, do not forget that the larger the file, the greater the likelihood of errors in it, therefore it is recommended to work with pst files 2-8 GB in size

If the pst file is damaged, the Outlook client, in whole or in part, loses the ability to open it, giving, for example, the following error:

Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook windows. The set of folders cannot be opened. Errors have been detected in the file ... .outlook.pst

The file ... outlook.pst is not an Outlook data file (.pst)

The presence of such errors indicates that the pst data file is damaged and requires restoration of its logical structure.

First of all, let's figure out where Outlook actually stores pst files. By default, * .pst (personal folders) and * .ost (local cached copy of Exchange server folders) files are stored in the following directories, depending on the OS version:

• Windows 2000, 2003, XP: C: \\ Documents and Settings \\% username% \\ Local Settings \\ Application Data \\ Microsoft \\ Outlook
• Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8: C: \\ users \\% username% \\ AppData \\ Local \\ Microsoft \\ Outlook

But the user, if necessary, can create / move the file of personal folders to an arbitrary location.

Important! Before proceeding with restoring the pst file, create a backup copy of it, thereby you will protect yourself from possible further damage to the file by the recovery utility or by Outlook itself.

To repair damage in Outlook archive folders, Microsoft includes a special utility in the Office suite (in my opinion, starting from the 2000 version of MS Office) Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe ). This small utility is not a universal panacea that allows you to restore a pst file after any damage, but it can solve most of the typical problems with files in personal folders.

You can find the utility in the directory:

c: \\ Program Files \\ Microsoft Office \\ OFFICE [Office version number, - 11,12,13,14)

So, for example, for Office 2010 the path to the directory with the scanpst.exe utility will be as follows:

C: \\ Program Files \\ Microsoft Office \\ OFFICE14

For Outlook 2013 this rule does not work, look for the utility in the c: \\ Program directory Files \\ Microsoft Office 15 \\ root \\ office15

Note... On a 64 bit system, if a 64 bit path is used, it looks like this C: \\ Program Files (x86) \\ Microsoft Office \\ Office14

Let's try to repair the damage in the pst file in automatic mode. To do this, run the scanpst.exe utility and specify the path to the pst file.

Important! Before running the utility, be sure to close Outlook and other processes using the restored pst file.

To start the process of scanning a file for errors, press the button Start.

The process of checking and analyzing the file structure consists of 8 stages. The check time depends on the size of the pst file and the number of errors in it.

In our case, the utility reported that the personal folders file contains errors and offers to start the procedure for its recovery (button Repair). If you haven't created a backup copy of the pst file yet, you can do it now by checking the checkbox and specifying the file name.

After pressing the button Repair the process of restoring the pst file is started, which also consists of 8 stages. In our example, for a 1 GB archive, the recovery process took about 15 minutes.

If everything goes smoothly, after the utility finishes, a message will appear Repair completeand you can try to open the pst file in Outlook.

So, as we already said, the scanpst.exe utility should help in most cases (about 90%) when errors occur or the pst files of personal folders are damaged. The scanpst utility cannot help if:

• there is damage in the pst file headers
• the personal folders file is password protected
• need to recover accidentally deleted messages or folders
• when the maximum pst file size is exceeded
• in case of complex damage to the logical and physical structure of the pst file

You "re here because you have a file that has a file extension ending in .pst. Files with the file extension .pst can only be launched by certain applications. It" s possible that .pst files are data files rather than documents or media , which means they "re not meant to be viewed at all.

what is a & nbsp.pst & nbspfile?

Files in the PST format are data files created by Microsoft Outlook, a personal information manager and a part of the Microsoft Office Suite. Outlook is most often used as an email application; it also features other elements such as the contact manager, task manager, note taking, a journal and a calendar. The program can also work with Microsoft's Exchange Server where multiple users may share mailboxes and calendars, exchange files and schedule meetings. PRF files are user profile files which contain information on the user such as signatures and references to mail folders, and other user preferences like mail account settings. Using Microsoft's Office Resource Kit, PRF files can be created and the set out to multiple systems. PST files are used to hold personal information used by Microsoft Outlook and Exchange. These information may include contacts, addresses, email folders and other data. Such files have a 2GB limit and will slow down the program if files are close to the limit.

how to open a .pst file?

Launch a .pst file, or any other file on your PC, by double-clicking it. If your file associations are set up correctly, the application that "s meant to open your .pst file will open it. It" s possible you may need to download or purchase the correct application. It "s also possible that you have the correct application on your PC, but .pst files aren" t yet associated with it. In this case, when you try to open a .pst file, you can tell Windows which application is the correct one for that file. From then on, opening a .pst file will open the correct application.

applications that open a .pst file

Microsoft Outlook Express

Microsoft Outlook Express

Outlook Express is an email and news client that is integrated with Internet Explorer versions 4.0 through 6.0. It is also bundled with a number of versions of Microsoft Windows, from Windows 98 to Windows Server 2003, and is available for Windows 3.x, Windows NT 3.51, Windows 95 and Mac OS 9. In Windows Vista, Outlook Express was outdated by Windows Mail, then again by Windows Live Mail as separate software in Windows 7. Microsoft Entourage, sold as part of Microsoft Office for Macintosh, has changed the Macintosh version. Outlook Express is a diverse application from Microsoft Office Outlook. The two programs do not share a common codebase, but do share a common architectural philosophy. The similar names lead many people to incorrectly conclusion that Outlook Express is a stripped-down version of Microsoft Office Outlook. Outlook Express utilizes the Windows Address Book to store contact information and incorporates tightly with it. On Windows XP, it also joins together with Windows Messenger.

Microsoft Office Outlook

Microsoft Office Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is available as a part of the Microsoft Office suite, and a personal information manager from Microsoft. The present version is Microsoft Office Outlook 2010 for Windows and Microsoft Office Outlook 2011 for Mac. Although frequently used primarily as an email application, it also includes a calendar, task manager, contact manager, note taking, a journal and Web browsing. It can be utilized as a stand-alone application, or can work with Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft SharePoint Server for many users in an organization, such as shared mailboxes and calendars, exchange public folders, SharePoint lists and meeting schedules. There are third-party add-on applications that integrate Outlook with electronic devices such as BlackBerry mobile phones and with other software like Office & Skype Internet communication. Developers can also make their own conventional software that works with Outlook and Office components using Microsoft Visual Studio. Moreover, Windows Mobile devices can synchronize almost all Outlook data to Outlook Mobile.

a word of warning

Be careful not to rename the extension on & nbsp.pst & nbspfiles, or any other files. This will not change the file type. Only special conversion software can change a file from one file type to another.

Hello everyone, earlier I mentioned my article on how to restore an Outlook 2010 archive folder in the program interface. Today there will be an instruction on how to connect an archive file with the pst extension, this data file just stores information about incoming or outgoing letters, depending on what was saved in this file. For a long time, the mailbox on the computer increased to a critical volume, and there was a situation that the archive of letters also exceeded the allowable size, as a result of which it was decided to create a new archive file with the pst extension, but with a different name. But how to make two archives (data files with the pst extension) in the program and you can read archived messages from several archives.

So if we click on the file menu item, in my case the mailbox is full and archiving is required.

Click the archive button, only in the Archive File line:

We write a new file name - arbitrary, I have it archive22.pst, I also set the archiving of items to a certain date - Monday February 29, 2016 - all letters that were created before this date - will be archived.

Now, to connect two archive files in Outlook, go to File - Open and Export tab - Open Outlook Data File (.pst)
When you select this item, a dialog box appears with the choice of the included file, let's say the newly created archive file is called archive22.pst, and the old backup.pst - so we need to select backup.pst
so that the messages stored in this file are loaded into the program. After selecting the file, Outlook needs some time to load all the files from the archive. As a result, we get two archive folders on the left in the navigation pane: These are Archive folders - newly created archive (Archive22.pst), Archives (backup.pst)

If mail has been accumulating for a long time, then you can similarly archive incoming and outgoing correspondence by year (for example, 2014,2015,2016), create files 2014.pst, etc. Connect the archives in the above way to the program and rename the names by right-clicking on the folder name - then the properties of the data file

In the information window "Folder options" click the additional button:

In the General tab, change the name to the required one, for example, for the year of stored archived letters, for example 2014

By splitting the archives into several files, we achieved a reduction in the main base of letters, and also split the archive into several files. We created a catalog by years of storage of letters. And we got rid of the long loading of the program when it starts.

In any incomprehensible situation with the Windows operating system, the easiest way is to reinstall the operating system. However, if you have little experience or you have never reinstalled such programs at all, then it is better to turn to professionals. This will shorten the time to restore the computer to work and save your nerves and finances, in every city there are service centers engaged in these services for more than a year, for example, the installation of Windows in Zhytomyr is carried out as soon as possible, quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, reliably and professionally.

In the Outlook application itself, you can recover damaged files, and this topic has already been discussed many times on the forum:

Using Outlook Inbox Repair Tool to Recover Email Messages

You can use the Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe) to recover folders and items from a corrupted Personal Folders PST file (or Offline Folders OST file) in Microsoft Outlook 2010, Outlook 2007, Outlook 2003, and Outlook 2002. Scanpst tool. exe is automatically installed along with Microsoft Office or Microsoft Outlook applications. It is not available as a separate download.

This article describes the steps for the Inbox Repair Tool and how it checks and corrects errors in a PST or OST file.

Ditto for Office support:

Recover Outlook data files (PST and OST)

If you are having problems with Outlook, then you can use the help of the article if you are an advanced user:

Outlook crashes due to corruption of Outlook data file (.pst or .ost)

Outlook shuts down unexpectedly and the error signature information after a crash is similar to the following information:

AppName: Outlook.exe
Application version: 14.0.4760.1000
Module Name: Kernelbase.dll
Module version: 6.1.7600.16385
Offset: 0003194b

This issue is caused by corruption in the Outlook data file (.pst or .ost).

To fix this problem, use the Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tools to repair the Outlook data file.

1. Close Outlook.
2. Go to the following folder:

   C: \\ Program Files \\ Microsoft Office \\ Office14

3. Double click the icon scanpst.exe file.
4. In the dialog box, click Overview.
5. Locate and select the Outlook data file (.pst or .ost), and then click Open.

   On a Windows 7 or Windows Vista client, this is the default location for Outlook data files in Outlook 2010:

   (.PST-file)

   \\ My Documents \\ Outlook usernameC: \\ Users \\ files

   (.OST-file)

   \\ AppData \\ Local \\ Microsoft \\ OutlookC: \\ Users \\ username

   Note: To view the OST file at the specified path, make sure the hidden files and folders are visible by following these steps:

   a.On the menu Start select a computer.

   b.Click the button To arrange and select the command Folder and search properties.

   c.In the tab View enable parameter Show hidden files, folders and drives .

   d.Click the button OK.

   On a Windows xp client computer, this is the default location for Outlook data files in Outlook 2010:

   (.PST-file)

   Files C: \\ Documents and Settings \\ \\ My Documents \\ Outlook username
   
   (.OST-file)

   \\ Local Settings \\ Application Data \\ Microsoft \\ Outlook\\ Documents and Settings \\ username

   Note : To view the OST file at the specified path, make sure the hidden files and folders are visible by following these steps:

   a.On the menu Start select item My computer.

   b.On the menu Service select Folder properties.

   c.In the tab View enable parameter Show hidden files and folders .

   d.Click the button OK.

6. In the dialog box Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Toolon the menu Start.
7. After scanning the file, review the information displayed in the dialog box Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool.

   Important : Please not enabled, Outlook Inbox Repair Microsoft creates a backup of the Outlook data file before performing the restore operation checkbox back up the file before reparing .

8. Click the button reestablish.
9. After completing the restore operation, click the " OK».

After the restore operation completes, there are three files associated with the Outlook data file in the folder that contains the original file.

Do not seek God, not in a stone, not in a temple - seek God within yourself. The seeker, let him find.

A data store file containing personal information used in Microsoft Outlook and Exchange. Includes email folders, contacts, addresses and other data.

PST files have a 2 GB size limit and cause Outlook to freeze when the file is close to this size. Microsoft provides a program called Exchange 2000 Tool: PST2GB that reduces the size of the PST file. But this utility can truncate the file, which means that some data may be lost, so you must first copy the PST file to the backup.

Unlike the full version of Outlook, Outlook Express does not use PST files. But Outlook Express can import PST data using the Import function of the Import program. Mac users can use the PST Import Tool for Entourage to import PST data into Entourage.

The .pst file extension is a personal information file. This file can be opened with the following programs: Microsoft Outlook 2016, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Outlook Express, Remo Repair Outlook (PST).