Guide to Using the Outlook Inbox Repair Tool

There will likely come a time when most Outlookerrors it can, a recovered version of the.pst file is
users encounter corrupt or damaged.pst files thatcreated. You must let Outlook know that this is
make it impossible to access all Outlook foldersthe.pst file that should be used. To do this, you will
including contacts, tasks, calendar, and email. Ofhave to direct Outlook to the recovered.pst file
course this can be a huge problem, but not toas follows:
worry, there is a solution.1. Start Outlook as you normally would.
Fortunately, Microsoft has included an "inbox2. From the top menu select "Go", then select
repair" tool with Outlook. While this is good news,"Folder List".
it is buried deep within the Program Files folder on3. When the Folder List is open, you will be able to
your hard drive. This guide will help you locate andsee the "Recovered Personal Folders" folder along
use the inbox repair tool that may help you repairwith all the usual personal folders that contains a
and restore the Personal Storage Table (PST)"Lost and Found" folder.
files that are so important to the functionality of4. If the repair was successful you will find the file
Outlook.that the repair tool fixed. If the "Lost and Found"
Locating the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPst.exe)folder is empty, the repair was unsuccessful.
In these examples we are assuming your hard5. If you are able to locate the repaired.pst file,
drive is located on the C drive; if it's not changeyou will have to create a new folder that will
the file path examples below appropriately.house the repaired.pst file.
1. Navigate the below path using Windows6. Drag the files from the "recovered" file to the
Explorer:new file.
* For Outlook 2007 - C:Program Files:MicrosoftSteps to Take When the Inbox Repair Tool is
Office:OFFICE12Unable to Repair Corrupt Files
* For Outlook 2003 & XP - C:ProgramThere will be times when the built in utility is
Files:Common Files:System:MSMAPI:LocaleID;unable to repair corrupt files. If this is the case,
2. In these folders, you will need to locate the fileyou will have to use a third party program that is
- ScanPst.exe. Once you run the.exe, you willdesigned to detect and repair severely
have to browse to the current location of yourdamaged.pst files.
most recent.pst file before hitting "Start".These programs are extremely easy to use and
3. Wait for the Inbox Repair tool to completelyare often the first choice when it comes to inbox
scan the damaged.pst file and identify the errors.repair. Many Outlook users prefer to use these
If the tool can repair the PST file, the scan resultsprograms to fix inbox errors without using the
report will show the errors that can be repaired.Inbox Repair tool that's built into Outlook. The
4. To fix the identified errors, select "Repair."choice is yours, but you can recover and repair
Transfer the Recovered Data to a New PST Fileyour Personal Storage Table files.
After the Inbox Repair tool has repaired all the