How to Repair OST File

OST files are the Outlook data files usually created on the user system when configuring their profile in Outlook. This file also allows users to access their data even without any internet connection. Due to it, the OST file is essential from the users’ perspective. But, for some reason, the OST files faces corruption. In this blog, we will be learning certain procedures to repair OST files, and along with it, here we will check all reasons which make the OST file corrupted.

Why makes corruption in OST files?

Although there are many reasons behind corruption in OST, we will list some to give you a better insight.

• If there is an improper shutdown of Outlook or a system, then there is a negative impact on the health of the OST file; sometimes, they become corrupted.
• In case of a virus attack on the system where Outlook is installed, the possibility of the occurrence of corruption in OST will be higher.
• An increase in the size of the OST file can lead to a problem in the OST file; eventually, it can cause corruption in them.
• Incompatibility with adding a new Outlook plug-in can also hamper the OST file.

Your OST file might get corrupted if you are confronted with the same issue. So, look at the method to repair OST file, which will make it possible to regain access to your data. In the following section, we will learn the manual and third-party solutions to help you gain precise knowledge.

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Manual Ways to Repair a Corrupted OST File

ScanPST.exe is a free utility which is known as Inbox Repair Utility by Microsoft, used to repair OST files of any Outlook version. 

The location of this utility depends upon the Outlook version. However, we have made a list of locations for some Outlook editions:

• Outlook 2019 C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\
• Outlook 2016 C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
• Outlook 2013 C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15 
• Outlook 2010 C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14

Once you successfully discover its location, you can start using this utility to start repairing the OST file.

Process to repair OST files using ScanPST.exe

• Make double-click on the ScanPST.exe to launch it.
• Now, click on the browse to add the OST file. After that, click the Start button to initiate the process to scan the added file for corruption.
• Once the scanning process gets over, then you will see a message stating the corruption in your OST file.
• Before moving further, kindly click on the checkbox to create the backup of the file. 
• Once done, click the repair button to start the procedure to repair the corrupted OST file.

Note: – This utility can only remove the corruption from the OST file that is minor corruption. Otherwise, it won’t work. 

Also, users will not be able to repair OST files simultaneously if they have multiple files. In addition, this utility cannot repair the highly corrupted OST file. Also, there will always be a chance of corruption in the resultant file. So moving to an alternative solution is the only solution left out. 

Perfect solution to repair multiple corrupted OST files

As of now, we have learned one manual solution to deal with the corrupted OST file. So if you want a perfect solution to repair OST files without any limitations, then consider taking help from third-party software.

Not many tools have such advanced features as the Shoviv OST to PST converter possesses. This software has got a better GUI and, much more importantly, multiple user-oriented features. Users can add as many corrupted OST files as they want and quickly convert them into PST files.

Also, before starting the process, users can preview the OST file items. It provides a data filter option through which they can choose which item to process or not, ultimately decreasing the resultant files’s size. 

Users can apply its incremental export option, which helps in those cases when the process stops in between. Due to this, when the user looks to resume the process, it will only process the remaining items. This will also ensure to eliminate the duplicate items in the resultant file. Users can try its free demo edition for better clarity to know the software’s efficiency.

Conclusion Corruption in the OST file is a severe issue for Outlook users. Due to multiple reasons, as we have discussed in this blog, the OST file becomes inaccessible. However, we have also shared some solutions to repair OST files, including utilizing ScanPST.exe and third-party software. But, the manual methods offer various shortcomings, which make them unfavorable. Conversely, professional software provides a better option for users dealing with corruption in their OST files.