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How to scan .pst/.ost files for errors using ScanPST

3 min. readlast update: 10.18.2023

ScanPST is a great tool to help fix corrupt .pst or .ost data files. It's most commonly used when Outlook cannot open properly, or a .pst/.ost data file is displaying errors such as this:

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Where is ScanPST.exe located?

ScanPST can be located in your Microsoft Office installation directory. Locations can vary in different Microsoft Office or Windows versions.  

Office 365 / Outlook 2019 / Outlook 2016 Click to Run
any Windows; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office16\ 

Outlook 2016 (MSI-based Volume License installation)
32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\
64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\
64-bit Outlook; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\ 

Outlook 2013
32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\
64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\
64-bit Outlook; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\ 

Outlook 2013 Click to Run
any Windows; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office15\ 

Outlook 2010
32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\
64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\
64-bit Outlook; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\ 

Outlook 2007
32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\
64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\  

 

How to find your .pst or .ost data file location?

.pst and .ost data files are most commonly located in two directories:

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\ C:\Users\%username%\Documents\Outlook Files\ 

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Another way to find out the location of your data files is by opening the Mail applet in your Control Panel and going to the Data Files... option. There you will be able to see all the data files currently added to Outlook and the location of each data file.

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How to start the repair process?

Step 1. Launch the ScanPST.exe application and click the Browse… button. Navigate to the directory where your .pst or .ost file is located and select it.

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Step 2. Click the Start button and the data file scan will begin. For larger size data files, the scan can take a while.

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Step 3. After the scan is complete, ScanPST will show a report and if any issues were found then a repair option will be available.

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Step 4. Before starting the repair process, you can check the box to Make backup of scanned file before repairing which will create a .bak file of the data file. Click the Repair button and wait a couple of minutes for the Repair Complete dialog to appear. For larger size data files, the repair process could take a while. 

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Tips:

  • Make sure to always make a backup before doing a repair on your data file. In some cases when damage is too great, ScanPST can attempt to remove the damaged parts of the data file in order to repair it which could result in data loss. 
  • Larger size data files will take longer to repair so be patient and wait for the Repair Complete dialog to appear. 
  • During the repair process, ScanPST may show a Not Responding status. Do not click on it or the application may crash. Please wait patiently for the application to respond and show the Repair Complete dialog box. 

 

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