Scanpst.exe

Scanpst.exe is really a utility utilized to correct MS Outlook PST files. Scanpst can partially fix internal PST file database issues however in most cases you will need to try a 3rd party Scanpst.exe tool.



It is possible to split PST mailboxes into different files located locally or on the network driver. However , although a network driver may seem like a local drive (drive mapping) network drive not offers the same performance as a local one (i.e. C drive). Therefore Outlook may face problems to contact the PST file located on the network server which usually leads sooner or later to corrupt PST file which need a repair with scanpst.exe


Scanpst.exe
If this type of failure happens, it is possible to restore your PST file mailbox first with backup software which is daily backup within your network storage. However, since the mailbox data may contain some crucial business data you could don't want to lose even a single day of labor.



If restoring the mailbox data located in your inaccessible PST file is essential, you can try and use the Scanpst.exe utility. Scanpst.exe location is at your Outlook installation folder (It may seem beneath the default installation folder i.e. c:\program files). If you can't think it is the very best is just to operate the search program and discover the scanpst.exe directly.



Typical PST errors:



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



(you are able to replace the letter F with your own personal network drive letter).



Cause of the PST error:



The above error suggests that Outlook cannot see the PST database because it's corrupt. The file does not have valid database structure. Another possible cause is you just do not need network link to the PST file. If so it is extremely simple to solve it and just call your network administrator to repair it.



Please take into account that Outlook PST database file was not designed to use slow connections including 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. In many cases it fails but since it is a free tool you should run it first bear in mind, first rule before beginning a process of recovery is always backup. You wouldn't want to damage the file a lot more compared to current state from it. So please produce a copy of one's PST file and let scanpst.exe attempt to fix the copy only.