Recover Your Corrupted MS Outlook Offline Storage Table – OST Recovery Software

If you are using a Microsoft Exchange Server account, all your email messages and other mailbox items such as: calendar, contacts, tasks, notes, etc. they are sent to the server and saved on it. A local copy of these items can be stored on your computer system in an Outlook data file, known as an OST (Offline Storage Table). It is an offline Outlook Data File that allows users to work offline or work with their mailbox data even when they are not connected to the Exchange Server. Because of this feature, the file is called an Offline Outlook Data File. It automatically synchronizes with the Exchange computer when the connection to the MS Exchange Server is available.

An offline Outlook Data File is considered a beneficial file format for Outlook users; on the other hand, it also has some negative points. Just like a PST file, it also has some limitations that can create some serious problems. As an Outlook PST file has a size limitation, in the same way, an offline Outlook data file also has a size limitation issue. If the file exceeds its size limit, it may become corrupted or damaged. This is not the only cause of corruption; In fact, there are several reasons that can cause corruption, such as: virus attack, hard drive failure, unexpected termination of MS Outlook, network failure, system power failure, synchronization errors, etc.

If the main problem is exceeding the size of an OST file, it can be solved by setting a sync filter on your Exchange Server mailbox folders. This manual technique helps you reduce the file size without causing any side effects. To perform this technique the following steps are required:

1. Right click on the mailbox folder you want to shrink > click on Properties.
2. Tea Properties dialog box appears. Click on Synchronization table > filter button.
3. Tea Filter dialog box appears. Now choose the standard for synchronization (set any filters you want).
4. Click on OK. Now restart your MS Outlook program.

If you suspect that your offline Outlook data files are corrupted, you can perform an integrity check using SCANOST.EXE. It is very similar to SCANPST.EXE and performs actions in the same way that SCANPST.EXE does. It is used to scan corrupted OST files and determine the errors in the OST files. If the selected OST file is found to be damaged, it automatically restores the file structure and rebuilds the headers.

SCANOST.EXE can be found in these locations depending on your version of MS Office:

• For 2010: C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice14
• For 2007: C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice12
• For 2003: C:Program FilesCommon FilesSystemMSMAPIscanost.exe
• For 2002/XP: C:Program FilesCommon FilesSystemMAPIscanost.exe
• For 2000: C:Program FilesCommon FilesSystemMAPINTscanost.exe

Before using this utility, make sure that your MS Outlook program is not running on your system, it must be closed. Go to the location shown above according to your MS Outlook program and then follow the steps below:

1. Place you SCANOST.EXE and double click on it.
2. The Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool window appears on your screen.
3. Now select the profile that contains the corrupted OST file.
4. Select the appropriate option. check the box “Fix errors” to solve the problems.
5. Click on start scan to start scanning the selected OST file.
6. Once the file is scanned and repaired, you get a message saying OST repaired successfully.

Unfortunately, SCANOST.EXE can sometimes fail to repair corrupted OST files. In such a situation, you need a third party OST recovery software that can repair your corrupted OST file and recover your data. Since you have no better option than this, you have to check it out. It helps you to scan corrupted OST files and fixes any level of corruption from them. Third-party recovery tools are usually available with a free demo or trial version. You can check them out before buying the full version. The demo or trial version allows you to see the preview of the recovered data and helps you to examine the software.