Common Reasons & Solutions for PST File Corruption (Hardware/Software)

MS Outlook uses the PST (Personal Storage Table) file to store all the Outlook-related information such as emails, calendar items, notes, journals, contacts, etc. This PST file is transferable and can be used on a different system from the one on which is created. However, you may find some problems in using Outlook because of PST corruption due to miscellaneous reasons. When you encounter PST corruption, you should try to repair the PST file. If you are unable to perform PST file recovery, then you should use Microsoft Outlook PST recovery software to do the needful.

Recovering Outlook 2013 OST and its Contents by Converting OST to PST

There are two kinds of files in Outlook that are used to hold all kinds of Outlook information, OST (Offline Storage Table) file and PST (Personal Storage Table) file. Of these two, the OST file is very helpful when the network connectivity in your area is very poor. You can create your work and later synchronize with the Exchange server when your connectivity is restored. However, at times the OST file gets corrupt thereby putting all the unsaved data at risk. In such cases, you should need an OST to PST Converter software to recover OST file by converting it as PST.

How to Export Mac OLM to PST for Outlook for Mac 2016, 2011

What is the need of OLM file to PST Conversion, or why do I need to export Outlook for Mac email messages to PST? All I can say it depends on the requirement. Either I’ve to save emails messages, contacts, attachments, calendar because I’m disabling my email account and planning to switching new email client, or simply I want to just archive it.

How to Repair PST File Without ScanPST or Inbox Repair Tool

ScanPST is an inbuilt utility in MS Office to repair corrupt Outlook PST and fix minor issues. The Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe) is the freeware which is specially designed by Microsoft to diagnose and fix PST files corruption and saves Outlook mailbox data that gets corrupt due to random hardware or software errors.

Exporting Outlook 2016/2013/2010/2007 Contacts to CSV

The process to export Outlook contacts in an excel file is quite similar whether you’re using Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, or an older version Outlook 2007. The job to transfer contacts into CSV format in MS Outlook is performed using inbuilt feature Import and Export feature.

However, if you’re unable to access your Outlook profile, OST file got corrupted, or want to recover deleted contacts into csv format from Outlook OST file; I suggest you try Stellar OST to PST Converter tool because the below manual procedure only works if Outlook is working appropriately.

So in case if everything is fine and you have to just retrieve contacts from Outlook, follow the below steps depends on your current Outlook version.

How to Export Outlook 2016/2013 Contacts in CSV file

1. Open Outlook and navigate through File -> Open & Export -> Import/Export.

2. Select Export to a file option and click Next.

3. Choose the default selected option Comma Separated Values

4. For exporting Outlook contacts, select contacts folder from the listed folders and click Next.

5. Browse the location where you want to export Outlook contacts file and click OK.

6. Now click Finish to complete the process. The progress will be shown on your screen, however Outlook will nor prompt any message once the file has been saved. You will have to browse the location manually where you have saved this file.

7. Once you locate the file, open it using MS Excel program. 

How to Export Outlook 2010 Contacts to CSV

The process to export contacts from Outlook 2010 to a csv file is as same as Outlook 2016 and 2013. However, the below steps helps a lot if you have recently moved to Outlook 2010 from any older version.

1. Navigate through File -> Options -> Advanced, and select Export option under the Export section.

2. Import and Export wizard prompts on your screen. Select Comma Separated Values (Windows) from the list and click Next.

3. Scroll up the Contacts and select the folder which you want to export and save into csv format. 

4. Browse the location to save the file and click OK. Click Next in the dialogue box and click Finish. Once the progress has been closed, you can check the saved CSV file at desired location.

5. Open the file using MS Excel which looks like-

How to Export Contacts List from Outlook 2007 to Excel

There is no difference among the Outlook versions to export contacts list. In case if you’re using older version Outlook 2007, follow the screenshots to extract contacts from Outlook to an Excel file.

Navigate through File -> Import and Export, select Export to a file, Comma Separated Values (Windows) and click Next.

Select the folder under the Contacts and save this file as CSV at desired location. Then click Next and Finish.

Go to the location in your computer where you have saved this file as CSV form, and open it using MS Excel once the progress box away. 

 That’s it!

So this is the quick method to export and save Outlook contacts into CSV file. Later, you can import this contacts CSV file to Outlook again.

However, if you’re unable to export Outlook contacts due to discrepancy in OST file; better to use Stellar OST to PST converter to extract contacts from user’s mailbox to CSV format. Download the demo version of the software to check the preview of Outlook contacts: http://www.stellarservertools.com/ost-pst-converter.php

Fixed: The Path Specified for the file Outlook.PST is Not Valid

While working with Microsoft Outlook, you may have encountered lot of errors message related to .PST file, and possibly you may have successfully resolved these issues by using manual procedures or any third party tool. However, unluckily, the manual solutions do not always fix every error related to Outlook PST file. 

How to Recover/Reset Lost or Forgotten Outlook PST Password

Outlook is the most widely used email platform preferred by all corporate professionals over the world. MS Outlook has gained popularity because of its compatibility, the user-friendly interface, and limitless convenient features. The handling of mails, calendars, journals, notes and entries are all managed by a single Outlook. All the items of the Outlook, such as mails, calendars, journals etc. are saved in the Outlook data file which is popularly known as PST.

How to Import/ Export Inbox Content (PST) in Outlook 2013

Unlike Exchange Server, importing and exporting a data file in Microsoft Outlook 2013 is not a rocket science. Everything is click to forward wizard based like all other previous versions of Outlook. You only need to follow the wizard steps whether you want import or export Outlook inbox items. The only thing which you need to remember if your Outlook profile is connected with Microsoft Exchange Server, Outlook 2013 stores everything (all the custom and default folders) in a public folder. Also note that all the mailbox data resides on server rather than local computer if it is connected with Exchange.

Fixed: Exchange 2013 Stops/Not Receiving External Emails

Exchange Administrators are frequently posting the same issue on MS Exchange 2013 forum...They aren’t receiving any external any email in Exchange Server after installed the current server!

How to Fix ‘0x8004010f’ Error When Outlook Synchronizes an OAB (Offline Address Book)

Most of the big organizations are incorporated with the use of Microsoft Exchange Server because of the secure way of getting business emails, high availability, and disaster recovery. But sometimes, Exchange Server may generate some unexpected error.

How to fix ‘Cannot open OST file’ Error in MS Outlook

In MS Outlook, OST file is among the most important components which provide the flexibility to work even in offline mode. To establish a perfect communication medium, Outlook OST file has to synchronize with MS Exchange Sever.

How to fix ‘0x80004005: The Operation has failed’ error in Outlook

The Microsoft Outlook is one of the most widely used email client as it provides an effective and user friendly communication between the two ends. In spite of such an efficient email client, sometimes, it might have abruptly terminated or generate some error messages which causes problem during email transmission.

So today I’m sharing troubleshooting steps to fix the Outlook errors. Below are the following errors with their solution which you get during email process in MS Outlook-

How to Prevent Outlook from Synchronization Logs Error

Situation becomes even worse when you find your mailboxes get disarranged with external logging messages that gather gradually, and can’t be removed without manual techniques. These Outlook synchronization logs are being pushed away in the Sync Issues folder.

How to fix ‘Outlook has stopped working’ Error in Outlook 2010/2013

In the corporate world (from small to large organizations), Microsoft Outlook is widely used and well known as the most preferred &professional email platform.At times, due to its extensive usage or any other technical issue, you may come across very common Outlook errors (Outlook hangs, freezes, or stops working) when you try to open a file or while sending an email.

How to synchronize Outlook 2010 with Yahoo mail

Before talking about how to synchronize Outlook with Yahoo mail, it’s necessary to talk what is the need to create a connection between these two great email platforms. Let us assume you spend your daily job on Outlook, and at the same time you need to access your Yahoo Mail account too as it is also important to you.So checking emails on both of the platforms do not make any sense, even it is time consuming too.

How to fix “Database Daemon Fatal Error” in Entourage Database

There is lot of situations when you come across some critical error related to your software,but using few software applications you can organize your important data effectively which improve ultimately results in the enhancement of productivity. Similarly, if there is any issue in Microsoft Office then you can use Microsoft Office for Mac to accomplish your basic office work.

Fix "Cannot start MS Outlook. Unable to open Outlook window" Error

It may be a worst experience for any Outlook user if they’re facing this error, and without doubt, it is one of the most irritating Outlook errors which usually occur whenever you try to open Microsoft Outlook by clicking on Outlook’s icon. And an annoying error box appears with following message 'Cannot start MS Outlook. Unable to open Outlook window'.

How to sync Hotmail with Microsoft Outlook

What is the most significant feature of Microsoft Outlook which makes it one of the best email clients? Of-course, its functionality, performance, smooth usability, and very easier configuration on every type of devices (from PCs to smartphones) makes it best online/offline email client which lets every type of user to create email account. 

How to Repair Outlook Data Files

Hello Readers, my following read is keen to regular Outlook users. Although Microsoft Outlook is the most chosen emailing application cum personal manager in most of the business environments yet it is not an error free application alike any other software available in market. Many people face issues with Outlook and the most ordinary issue faced by most of the users is Outlook data inaccessibility. 

There are numerous known unknown aspects those make Outlook data inaccessible for connected Outlook users.  In most of the cases Outlook data become unreachable because of corruption in data files.  Outlook supports two data file one and the most common is PST that stands for Personal storage tables and another file format is OST that stands for Offline storage tables. 

Note - The only difference between OST and PST is “Outlook creates OST file when it works in collaboration of MS Exchange Server”. 

How to repair Outlook PST files -

As discussed Outlook files are prone to get corrupted due to many reasons, in this blog we are going to learn how to repair such files.  Let’s start with the repairing process of Outlook PST file. We have one default utility provided by Microsoft to repair Outlook PST files. That utility is known with the name Scanpst.exe or Inbox Repair Tool.  If your Outlook is showing error like displayed below you need to use this tool ASAP.

How to Use Inbox Repair Tool – First to start with Inbox repair tool you need to find the Scanpst.exe in your system. Below I am sharing the locations of Scanpst.exe in dissimilar versions of Windows OS.

M S 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
Click-to-Run C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15

M S 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

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

M S Outlook 2003
32-bit Windows C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\<locale ID>
64-bit Windows C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\<locale ID>
Outlook 2002/XP
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\<locale ID>\scanpst.exe

M S Outlook 2000
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\<locale ID>\NT\scanpst.exe

Outlook 97 / Outlook 98
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Windows Messaging\scanpst.exe

Once you find out the exe file, Double click and run the exe. A pop will open like this - 

•  Here you need to browse the corrupted Outlook PST file available in your machine. Once you select the right file click on “Start”.
• Scanning process will start. This process will take time which would be totally depended on file size of PST.
• Generally it takes around 40 minutes with 4 GB heavy file. Once the process will finish it will show you the scanning analysis report in that you can check details about the scanned PST file. 

3.       After checking details you can click on “Repair” and it will start repairing process.

Here I would like to mention before you click to “Repair” take the backup of your PST file; for backing up the PST file you just need to Mark “✓”on the option “Make backup  of scanned file before repairing.”

If repair process goes successful you will see the pop up like below.  

How to repair Outlook OST files -

As discussed about Outlook creates OST file when it works in collaboration of Microsoft Exchange Server, right Synchronization of OST file is really important. If in any case synchronization of OST file with Exchange server gets interrupted then that OST file experiences corruption problems and it becomes inaccessible.

OST file corruption leads to many error messages, few of them are shown below:

• Error code 0x8004103b
• Error-message/c5e20916-9359-43fc-9bd9
• Service-specific error 0 (0×0)
• Internal error of OST file (error code=0000000E)
•  Error 8004011D-526-80040115-0
• OST Internal error (error code=00000003)

Above mentioned errors are the common one and among all above mentioned error “Internal error of OST file (error code=0000000E)” is the most common one. The only reason of the error is improper OST synchronization. Improper OST synchronization disturbs the OST integrity and consistency as a result OST file becomes unreachable.

Alike Inbox Repair Tool for PST repair Microsoft offer default utility for OST repair as well called  “Scanost.exe or OST Integrity Check Tool”; this tool is a free tool offered by Microsoft for Outlook users to deal with OST synchronization issues and inaccessibility.  One of the major limitations of the tool is this tool is not available in Outlook 2010 or later versions. 

Below is the default location to find Scanost.exe – 

Drive:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook (for Windows 7 and Windows Vista)

Drive:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook (for Windows XP)

Once you open the ScanOST.exe, rest steps are same as Inbox repair tool.  

Few limitations of OST Integrity Check Tool are –

•  Scanost.exe can only repair minor errors of OST file.
•  This utility will not work if your Exchange Server is down or disconnected
• Other than the OST synchronization errors, OST Integrity Check utility cannot solve other OST file errors and problems.
• This utility is not available in Outlook 2010 or later versions.
  Note - In case if the OST repair process fails then better you try any third party OST repair software. Inbox repair tool and OST Integrity Check utility both are beneficial but only in case of minor corruption cases.

Hope it helps!!

Solve OST/PST file size issue in older versions of Outlook

The Outlook, most widely used email application by Microsoft is trending in business environment from last couple of years. It is in trend, all because of continued improvements. With the every new version Outlook improved a lot; same goes with the version 2013 which is the latest version of Outlook. This new Outlook version is unbelievably awesome and has many improved old features as well as new features. Below are the few features of Outlook 2013 –