Scanpst.exe

Scanpst.exe is a utility accustomed to correct MS Outlook PST files. Scanpst can partially fix internal PST file database issues however in most cases you will have to consider using a alternative party Scanpst.exe tool.



You'll be able to split PST mailboxes into different files located locally or on a network driver. The problem is that although a network driver might appear as a local drive (drive mapping) network drive not offers the same performance like a local one (i.e. C drive). Therefore Outlook may face problems to make contact with the PST file located on the network server and that may lead eventually to corrupt PST file which require a repair with scanpst.exe


Scanpst.exe
If such a failure happens, it's possible to restore your PST file mailbox first with backup software that is daily backup inside your network storage. However, since the mailbox data might have some crucial business data you might don't want to lose a day of work.



If restoring the mailbox data positioned in your inaccessible PST file is essential, you can look at and employ the Scanpst.exe utility. Scanpst.exe location is in your Outlook installation folder (It may seem underneath the default installation folder i.e. c:\program files). If you cannot think it is the very best is merely to operate the search program and discover the scanpst.exe directly.



Typical PST errors:



"The file F:\archive.pst is not a personal folders file."



(you can replace the letter F with your own personal network drive letter).



Cause for the PST error:



The above error shows that Outlook cannot see the PST database because it's corrupt. The file doesn't need valid database structure. Another possible cause is that you simply just do not need network link to the PST file. In that case it is very an easy task to solve it and simply call your network administrator to correct it.



Please take into consideration that Outlook PST database file had not been built to work with slow connections such as network drives. Oftentimes the link is slowing during saving data or file closing which in lots of times cause data lose and PST file corruption.



Can Scanpst.exe solve it?



Scanpst.exe is definitely a limited solution. Most of the time it fails but as it's a free tool you best run it first but remember, first rule before beginning a process of healing is usually backup. You would not prefer to damage the file a lot more than the current state than it. So please create a copy of one's PST file and let scanpst.exe try to fix the copy only.