How do I Recover Email from PST Files in 7 easy steps?

When Outlook is connected with the POP3 or IMAP server, it creates a PST (Personal Storage Table) file. This file stores all the Outlook information whether it concerns emails or other items like Contacts, Calendars, Journals, etc. However, PST files aren’t entirely secure despite the MS security features and can be damaged or corrupted. Hence, it is necessary to recover email from PST files beforehand to avoid unforeseen losses. In this article, we explain the best recovery solutions and an Outlook PST Repair Tool for users’ convenience.

How PST Files Are Corrupted or Lost?

There can be many causes for missing PST files, its deletion, damage, or corruption. Some major reasons that affect PST files are:

• The size of the PST file exceeds the maximum limit.
• Accidental deletion, misplaced files, or sudden power failure.
• Infected Outlook due to viruses, threats, or malicious attacks.
• Abnormal MS Outlook termination or system closure.

Prominent Solutions to Recover Email from PST Files

In any scenario, losing confidential data can create big problems for an individual or organization. Since Outlook is widely used and contains a lot of crucial data, its recovery is an unavoidable responsibility. Therefore, we provide you with some reliable manual solutions and a trusted professional tool for quick email recovery. Furthermore, find out the detailed procedure and limitations of the process below.

How to Recover PST Files in Outlook Manually?

There are two different manual methods for restoring email data from PST files. Go through both methods and then opt for the free method that seems perfect as per your requirements.

Method 1: Use Outlook Import/Export Wizard

1. Run MS Outlook and in your account go to File. There, press Open & Export.
2. Next, select Import/Export, and the wizard will open on the screen.
3. Further, pick the Import from another program or file and hit Next.
4. In the next screen, choose the Outlook Data File (PST) and again, tap Next.
5. After that, click Browse to search system and select PST file to add.
6. Import PST and pick an option for duplicates (optional) in the file. Hit Next.
7. Furthermore, select specific folders to import from and checkbox Include subfolders (optional). 
8. Opt for a destination to save the file and then lastly, hit the Finish button.

Method 2: Recover Emails from Corrupt PST Files via ScanPST.exe

1. Firstly, exit from the logged-in MS Outlook account.
2. Now, as per your Outlook version, move to the given location: [C:\Program Files (x86) \Microsoft Office\root\Office(vers.)].
3. After that, browse and select the ScanPST.exe option. 
4. Double-click it to begin the Inbox Repair Tool and add a PST file.
5. Then, hit Start, and PST file scanning begins to find any errors.
6. If errors or corruption are found in the file, click Repair to fix it.
7. Lastly, after the process is completed restart your Outlook profile.

Limitations of the Manual Method:

• The built-in Inbox Repair is suitable only for PST files with minor corruption.
• Limits on the size of PST files and issues with improper or damaged files.
• Incomplete data recovery and chances of losing complex or non-outlook data.
• Time-consuming and the risk for future damage isn’t completely eliminated.

Which Professional Tool Recover Email from PST Files?

Outlook PST Repair Tool is an effortless solution for fixing corrupt or damaged PSTs when manual methods fail. This tool retrieves all PST data including emails, contacts, notes, tasks, etc. without loss or alterations. In addition, the tool provides multiple options to save the recovered PST data in a new format. Moreover, it has three major recovery modes and runs on all Windows versions with ease. Also, it supports PST files from any Outlook version and gives other beneficial features.

Steps to Recover Emails from Corrupt PST Files

1. Run the Outlook PST File Repair Tool and click Open to add the PST file.
2. Select Standard, Advanced, or Deep Recovery Mode as required to fix.
3. Further, check other file details and click OK to start scanning.
4. Afterward, check the recovered files in the Preview Panel and opt to save.
5. Press Save from the top and click (…) to provide a Path to Save a new file.
6. Subsequently, select the File Format to save into (let’s say PST).
7. Choose other filters and at last, click the OK button to recover PST emails.

Final Words

To conclude, it is necessary to keep a check on the Outlook PST files and take regular backups. Also, keep files password-protected and archive them if too old to avoid damage or corruption. However, if you still face issues and need to recover email from PST files, use the above methods. The manual method may be a bit inaccurate, but for satisfactory results with complete security, choose a professional tool.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How to extract all emails from a PST file without loss?

Ans: To recover PST files in Outlook without loss, follow these steps:

1. Run Outlook PST Repair and add a PST file from the system.
2. Select a Mode of Recovery and check file information. Tap OK.
3. Preview the recovered files and folders and select to restore.
4. Click Save and provide a folder path for the new output file.
5. Choose a File Format of choice and other filters. Finally, hit OK.

2. What causes the need to recover emails from PST files?

Ans: The need to recover Outlook PST emails arises in the following situations:

• Outlook Data Files are corrupted, damaged, or otherwise inaccessible.
• Accidentally deleted or have missing data in the file.
• Infected due to any external or internal threat or issue or human errors.

Also Read : Recover Deleted Emails From OST Files.

Related Post