How to Locate and Use Scanpst.exe to Repair Outlook PST Files

Microsoft Outlook stores all emails, contacts, and other mailbox items in a PST (Personal Storage Table) file. Over time, these files may become corrupted due to various reasons such as improper shutdown, large file size, or software conflicts. Fortunately, Microsoft provides an Inbox Repair Tool, known as scanpst.exe, to fix minor corruption issues in PST files.

Location of Scanpst.exe

The location of scanpst.exe depends on the Outlook version and Windows architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). Below are the common locations:

Outlook 2016/2019/Office 365

• 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16 or C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16

• 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16 or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16

Outlook 2013

• 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office15

• 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office15

Outlook 2010

• 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14

• 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14

Outlook 2007

• 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12

• 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12

Outlook 97/98

• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Windows Messaging\scanpst.exe

How to Use Scanpst.exe to Repair a Corrupt PST File

Follow these steps to repair your PST file using scanpst.exe:

Step 1: Locate and Open Scanpst.exe

1. Navigate to the respective folder as per your Outlook version.

2. Find scanpst.exe and double-click to run the tool.

Step 2: Select the PST File for Repair

1. Click on the Browse button.

2. Locate your PST file, usually found in:

   • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Outlook Files\

   • or C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\

3. Select the PST file and click Open.

Step 3: Start the Repair Process

1. Click on Start to begin scanning the file for errors.

2. If the tool detects issues, click Repair to fix them.

3. The process may take some time depending on the file size and level of corruption.

Step 4: Open Outlook and Verify Data

1. Once the repair is completed, open Outlook.

2. Check if all emails, contacts, and other items are intact.

3. If issues persist, try running scanpst.exe again or restoring from a backup.

Tips to Prevent PST File Corruption

• Keep your PST file size manageable by archiving old emails.

• Always close Outlook properly before shutting down your PC.

• Use a reliable antivirus to prevent malware corruption.

• Regularly back up your Outlook data to avoid data loss.

By following these steps, you can efficiently repair your Outlook PST file and restore lost emails and data. If the corruption is severe, consider using third-party Outlook recovery tools.