ScanPST.exe : Free Microsoft Utility to fix error in Outlook emails

ScanPST is a default utility which works as a first-aid solution when a PST file gets corrupted. It scans and repairs the corrupt PST file depending on how much your PST file has been corrupted. This utility has specific purpose of checking the PST file for errors and then to repair them. However, there are some advantage and disadvantages associated with this tool. So before using this tool let’s have a look of these and also know how the problem of ScanPST can be overcome.

Location of ScanPST in different versions of Outlook:

Outlook 2013:

<disk drive>\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15

Outlook 2010:

<disk drive>\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14

Outlook 2007:

<disk drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12

Outlook 2003:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\<locale ID>

Outlook 2002:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\<locale ID>\scanpst.exe

Outlook 2000:

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

Outlook 97/98:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Windows Messaging\scanpst.exe

How does Scanpst.exe works:

These PST files are database files and hence the low level objects of PST file have less knowledge about the high level object of PST file such as calendar, contacts, messages etc. Scanpst.exe removes the complete block of the table or structure if it is unreadable or corrupted. In short ScanPST works as follows:

Select -> Scan -> Repairs the PST file.

Step by Step working Diagram of Scanpst.exe:

1. Open Window Explorer and select the drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office 14 folder
2. Double click Scanpst.exe
3. In the Enter the name of your scan file, enter the name of the .pst or .ost file you want to scan or click browse to select file
4. To specify the scan log option click on Option.
5. Click Start.
6. If errors are found you are asked to start the repair process.
7. Click Repair
8. Again start Outlook with the PST file you repaired to check whether the file is repaired completely or not.

Drawbacks of ScanPST:

Some of the disadvantages of this utility is that it is not effective in case of worst scenario of PST file means that when PST files are badly damaged. Also it does not guarantee complete recovery of the Outlook files. Sometimes it does not search a particular PST file which you want to recover.

Therefore the best alternative in case of failure of Scanpst.exe is the PST Repair software to efficiently repair the badly corrupted file. 

Reference:

http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/recover-outlook/role-of-microsoft-inbox-repair-tool-scanpstexe-in-outlook-2013-61708