Scanpst.exe is a utility accustomed to correct MS Outlook PST files. Scanpst can partially fix internal PST file database issues in many instances you’ll have to try a 3rd party Scanpst.exe tool.
You’ll be able to split PST mailboxes into different files located locally or on a network driver. The problem is that although a network driver might appear as a local drive (drive mapping) network drive not offers the same performance like a local one (i.e. C drive). Therefore Outlook may face problems to get hold of the PST file located on the network server and that often leads sooner or later to corrupt PST file which need a repair with scanpst.exe
Scanpst.exe
If such a failure happens, it is possible to reinstate your PST file mailbox first with backup software which is daily backup within your network storage. However, because the mailbox data could have some crucial business data you might do not want to lose even a single day of work.
If restoring the mailbox data positioned in your inaccessible PST file is a must, you can test and employ the Scanpst.exe utility. Scanpst.exe location is in your Outlook installation folder (It may seem underneath the default installation folder i.e. c:\program files). If you fail to find it the very best is simply to operate the search program in order to find 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 personal network drive letter).
Cause of the PST error:
The aforementioned error suggests that Outlook cannot see the PST database because it is corrupt. The file doesn’t have valid database structure. Another possible cause is you simply do not need network link to the PST file. In that case it is very easy to solve it and just call your network administrator to repair it.
Please take into consideration that Outlook PST database file had not been built to assist slow connections such as network drives. Oftentimes the bond is slowing during saving data or file closing which in many times cause data lose and PST file corruption.
Can Scanpst.exe solve it?
Scanpst.exe is an extremely limited solution. Most of the time it fails but since it’s a free tool you better run it first bear in mind, first rule before starting a recovery process is definitely backup. You wouldn’t like to damage the file even more than the current state from it. So please create a copy of one’s PST file and let scanpst.exe make an effort to fix the copy only.