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Why does my PST file keep getting corrupted?

Author

Matthew Cannon

Updated on February 15, 2026

Why does my PST file keep getting corrupted?

Software reasons: Logical corruption of PST file occurs if the file is opened and modified incorrectly, corruption of PST file due to virus or malicious software, abnormal termination of Outlook, 2 GB file size limitation in earlier version of Outlook are some of the software reasons that lead to PST file corruption

Keeping this in view, how do I prevent a PST file from corrupting?

How to Prevent Corruption

  1. #1 - Don't let the PST file become oversized.
  2. #2 - Don't save PST files on a server or network drive.
  3. #3 - Avoid processing a large number of emails simultaneously.
  4. #4 - Close Outlook properly.
  5. #5 - Turn off the computer properly.
  6. #6 - Use antivirus programs correctly.

Subsequently, question is, why do my files keep getting corrupted? Usually, files become corrupted when being written to a disk. This can happen in various ways, the most common of which is when an app suffers an error while saving or creating a file. An office app might suffer a glitch at the wrong time while saving a document.

Consequently, how do I repair a corrupt PST file?

Repair an Outlook data file (.pst) file

  1. Exit Outlook and browse to one of the following file locations:
  2. Open SCANPST.
  3. Select Browse to select the Outlook Data File (.
  4. Choose Start to begin the scan.
  5. If the scan finds errors, choose Repair to start the process to fix them.

Why are PST files bad?

PST files are prone to corruption

One of the big problems with PST files is that they are prone to corruption. The original PST file format had a 2 GB size limit, and corruption would occur if the file grew beyond its limit. Modern PST files are less prone to corruption, but can still be problematic.

Users need to search for another solution, like increasing the maximum size limit. For Outlook versions older than 2010 version, the default maximum recommended Outlook PST file size is 20 GB and for Outlook 2010 & above versions, the default maximum recommended size for Outlook PST file is 50 GB.

How long does it take to repair PST file?

After pressing the Repair button, the actual repair process will start and go through the 8 phases again. With a very large pst-file (larger than 4GB) and a slower hard disk, this process can sometimes take longer than half an hour.

Where is Outlook PST file in Windows 10?

You can find your . pst file in one of the following locations: Windows 10 drive:Users<username>AppDataLocalMicrosoftOutlook.

How do I restore my Outlook PST file?

Import Outlook items from a .pst file in Outlook for PC
  1. At the top of your Outlook ribbon, select File.
  2. Select Open & Export > Import/Export.
  3. Select Import from another program or file, and then click Next.
  4. Select Outlook Data File (.
  5. Browse to the .
  6. If a password was assigned to the Outlook Data File (.

What is stellar repair for Outlook?

Stellar Repair for Outlook is the most comprehensive software to repair corrupt PST files and recover Outlook mailbox data— emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, journals and more.

Where is the Inbox Repair Tool?

64-bit Outlook C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice16. To run the Inbox Repair Tool, follow these steps: Click Start, and then point to Find or to Search, depending upon your operating system. Double click the Scanpst.exe file to open the Inbox Repair Tool.

How do I get my personal folders back in Outlook?

Click the “Account Settings” link and then click “Data Files.” Your personal folder paths will appear on the screen within a dialog box.

How do you check if .pst file is corrupted?

Check Microsoft Outlook PST file for corruption with ScanPST
  1. Double click on scanpst.exe to run the program.
  2. When the Inbox Repair Tool scanpst.exe starts, enter the location of your . pst or .
  3. Select Start.
  4. After a while, the Inbox Repair Tool will give you a report and some options for the next step.
  5. You can now close the Inbox Repair Tool and try using your Outlook now.

What is Outlook data file?

An Outlook Data File (. pst) contains your messages and other Outlook items and is saved on your computer. Note: In Outlook 2013 and earlier versions, IMAP accounts also used an Outlook Data File (. pst). In Outlook 2016 and Outlook for Microsoft 365, IMAP accounts use Offline Outlook Data Files (.

Is not an Outlook data file Ost?

The main reason behind the OST error is that Outlook didn't get recognize or sync OST file with the server. It causes an error in front of users that OST is not an Outlook data file or not an offline folder. Due to advance security of Microsoft Outlook, it does not allow users to open OST file in Outlook.

Can you uncorrupt a file?

A corrupt file is one that has become unusable. Viruses, malware and programs closing prematurely can all corrupt a file. While the file is corrupt, you won't be able to use it. You can fix this problem and uncorrupt the file by using some free tools available online.

How do I clean up a corrupted file?

How to Fix Corrupted Files
  1. Perform a check disk on the hard drive. Running this tool scans the hard drive and attempts to recover bad sectors.
  2. Use the CHKDSK command. This is the command version of the tool we looked at above.
  3. Use the SFC /scannow command.
  4. Change the file format.
  5. Use file repair software.

How do I fix corrupted data?

Fix 1.Delete the Corrupted Data Manually
  1. Go to "Settings" > "System Storage Management" > "Saved Data" > "Media Player".
  2. Enter into the Media player folder.
  3. Press the "Options" button and delete the saved corrupt data file.
  4. Now exit.
  5. Delete the downloaded file.
  6. Retry downloading the file.

How do I fix a corrupted and unreadable file?

How to Fix "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable"
  1. Use CHKDSK command lines in CMD.
  2. Click Search > type command prompt.
  3. Right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator".
  4. Enter the below command: chkdsk /f h: and then press Enter.
  5. Use partition management software.
  6. Recover data from unreadable hard disk first.

How do I recover files from a corrupted hard drive?

Steps to Recover Data from a Corrupted or Crashed Hard Drive
  1. Download and Install Disk Drill for Windows or Mac OS X.
  2. Launch Disk Drill recovery software, select the crashed hard disk and click:
  3. Preview the files you found with Quick or Deep Scan.
  4. Click Recover button to recover your lost data.

What does it mean when a PDF is corrupted?

However, when a PDF file becomes corrupt it can become seemingly impossible to retrieve the content, causing frustration and harming productivity. There are various reasons why a PDF may be corrupt but the most common reason is that the file has been created on a substandard PDF editor or PDF creator.

How do you check if files are corrupted?

How to Know If You Have a Corrupt File
  1. Open the file to see if it opens in the normal way. If the file opens and everything looks normal, then it is not likely corrupt.
  2. Look at the file size. Right-click on the file and choose "Properties." You will see the file size in the Properties.
  3. Get another copy of the file.

How do you prevent corruption?

11 Tips to Prevent File Corruption
  1. #1: Back up your company file and perform complete verifications.
  2. #2: Always log off from the company file.
  3. #3: Make unused list items inactive.
  4. #4: Regularly re-sort your lists.
  5. #5: If your performance slows, consider reducing your file size.
  6. #6: Use the Condense Feature.

What causes corrupt files in Windows 10?

How does a Windows file become corrupted? If your computer crashes, if there is a power surge or if you lose power, the file being saved will likely be corrupted. Damaged segments of your hard drive or damaged storage media may also be a potential culprit, as can be viruses and malware.

Can you open a PST file without Outlook?

Try Kernel for Outlook PST Viewer

Kernel for Outlook PST Viewer is an automated PST Viewer tool that can open a PST file on your system without Outlook. If you want to open a PST with this tool, then you need to have this software on your system. Select the PST to view and click on the Open button.

What is the purpose of creating a PST file?

PST) on the Network Drive. A Personal Folders file (. PST) is an Outlook data file used to store local copies of messages, calendar events, and other items from your Exchange mailbox.

Why OneDrive Cannot backup PST file?

OneDrive (and other cloud solutions) continually syncs the local folder. It won't be able to sync the pst because Outlook has a lock on it and as a result, the pst file could become corrupted and data loss occur.

How do I manage PST files?

In earlier versions of Outlook:
  1. On the File menu, point to New, and then select Outlook Data File.
  2. Type a unique name for the new . pst file. For example, type Transfer. pst, and then select OK.
  3. Type a display name for the Personal Folders file, and then select OK.
  4. Close Outlook.

Can I put my Outlook PST file in OneDrive?

DON'T sync PST files to OneDrive.

Never, by any chance, move your active PST files to a OneDrive folder that is being synchronized to the cloud. You can upload them to a non-synced folder for backup purpose, but make sure to copy to a local and non-synced folder before you open those in Outlook.

Are PST files reliable?

PST files can pose a major risk to your organization. The reasons are too many to count. From data theft to potential server bloat and everything in between, the impact PST files can have on your business cannot be overstated.

Can I convert OST to PST?

You can manually convert OST to PST only when you are using Outlook with the original Exchange account. But the software converts the OST into PST format even without the original Exchange profile and Exchange Server connectivity. Also, you can convert 25 items from each folder to PST for free.

Can I open a PST file in Office 365?

Select File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File. Note: Depending on how Outlook is set up, it's likely the folder where the . pst file is stored will open automatically. If it doesn't, browse to the file's location.

How many PST files can I have?

pst files has a limit that is more than the 2-GB limit that is imposed by the ANSI . pst files. By default, the limit for a Unicode . pst file in Outlook 2007 and in Outlook 2003 is configured to be 20 GB.

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