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Office Error outlook-pst-error: Outlook PST File Error
Quick fix: Run SCANPST.EXE (Inbox Repair Tool) — Close Outlook. Full step-by-step below.
What Causes Office Error outlook-pst-error?
Office error outlook-pst-error (Outlook PST File Error) can be triggered by several issues:
- PST file exceeding the 50GB size limit for Outlook 2010 and later
- PST file corrupted due to improper Outlook shutdown or system crash
- Disk errors on the drive storing the PST file
- Network drive storing PST causing connection interruptions
- PST stored on OneDrive or Dropbox causing sync conflicts
| Cause | Best fix |
|---|---|
| PST file exceeding the 50GB size limit for Outlook 2010 and later | Run SCANPST.EXE (Inbox Repair Tool) |
| PST file corrupted due to improper Outlook shutdown or system crash | Compact the PST file |
| Disk errors on the drive storing the PST file | Create a new PST and import |
| Network drive storing PST causing connection interruptions | Move PST off OneDrive and Dropbox |
| PST stored on OneDrive or Dropbox causing sync conflicts | Check disk health |
How to Fix Office Error outlook-pst-error — Step by Step
Run SCANPST.EXE (Inbox Repair Tool)
Close Outlook. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\SCANPST.EXE (path varies by Office version). Click Browse and select your .pst file (usually at C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Outlook Files\). Click Start, then Repair after the scan.
Compact the PST file
With Outlook open: File > Account Settings > Data Files > select your PST > Settings > Compact Now. This reduces PST size by removing deleted items and white space. Run after emptying Deleted Items.
Create a new PST and import
File > New > Outlook Data File > create a new .pst file. Then File > Open and Export > Import/Export > Import from another program or file > Outlook Data File > select your old .pst > import all folders.
Move PST off OneDrive and Dropbox
PST files must not be stored in sync folders. Outlook keeps PST files open continuously, which conflicts with sync clients. Move the PST to a local non-synced folder like Documents outside any sync folder.
Check disk health
Run CMD as Admin:chkdsk C: /f /r
Or use CrystalDiskInfo to check SMART status. Disk errors can corrupt PST files over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PST file?
A Personal Storage Table (.pst) file is a local file where Outlook stores emails, contacts, and calendar items. It lives on your computer, unlike an Exchange or Microsoft 365 account that stores data on the server.
How do I find my PST file?
Outlook > File > Account Settings > Data Files tab. The Location column shows the full path to each PST file.
What is the maximum PST size?
For Outlook 2010 and later: 50GB by default, configurable up to 2TB via registry. For Outlook 2007 and earlier: 20GB hard limit.
Can SCANPST recover all my emails?
SCANPST repairs the PST structure and recovers most content. Severely corrupted PST files may lose some emails. Third-party tools like Stellar Repair for Outlook can recover more from badly damaged files.
Why does my PST keep getting corrupted?
The most common causes are: storing PST on a network or sync drive, not closing Outlook properly before shutdown, and antivirus scanning the open PST file. Store PST locally and add it to antivirus exclusions.
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