Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool Does Not Recognize the File PST [Fixed]

Summary: The error message “Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool does not recognize the file” pops up when the PST file is severely corrupt for the Scanpst.exe to repair. In this blog, we’ve shared the probable causes of PST file corruption. Also, we’ve mentioned an advanced Outlook repair tool that can repair severely corrupt PST files and recover all its data.

The Inbox Repair tool or Scanpst.exe is an inbuilt Outlook utility that can help fix corruption in Outlook data files (PST and OST). However, the tool is capable of fixing only minor corruption in Outlook data files. When the error Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair tool doesn’t recognize the PST file occurs, it indicates that the file is severely corrupt and can’t be repaired with the tool.

 

The error message “Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool does not recognize the PST file” may occur due to multiple reasons, such as:

• Oversized PST Files

Each version of Microsoft Outlook has a pre-defined file size limit. When the PST file size limit exceeds its defined limit, the file may get corrupted. So, to avoid such a situation, keep trashing the unwanted Outlook data.

• Microsoft Outlook Upgrade

When you upgrade Microsoft Outlook to a higher version, the chances of file corruption increase because some files are not updated properly, and the tool replaces them prematurely. As a result, they become highly corrupt, and the data becomes inaccessible.

• Damaged Hard Drive

The hard drive is the most vital component of a computer system. Therefore, any evolved issue or damage to the hard drive will directly or indirectly impact the Microsoft Outlook files or database. Hence, you cannot access the PST file and receive the error “Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool does not recognize the file”.

• Unsecured Network

Many scenarios have been observed when the PST file is shared over a random network and becomes highly corrupt. Therefore, you should perform a thorough check-up on the network before transferring the PST file.

• Virus Attack

The virus attack is one of the reasons that may result in severe file corruption. Once the virus is intruded into the system, it will make an underlying file or multiple files corrupt. As a result, the data becomes inaccessible. 

• Using Untrusted Third-Party Tools

If the user attempts to repair the damaged file using a random, unreliable tool, there are higher chance that the file gets severely corrupt. So, make sure that you have done thorough research before employing any third-party tool to repair the damaged or corrupt file.

Since Scanpst.exe cannot handle severe corruption, a professional PST file repair application is the only resort. It is always recommended to use a tested and reliable PST file repair tool, like Stellar Outlook Repair Tool, to repair the damaged PST file.

Also, read- Complete Working of Stellar Repair for Outlook Tool.

How to Fix “Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool Does Not Recognize the File” Error?

Stellar Repair for Outlook is a cutting-edge tool integrated with advanced algorithms. This tool can repair severely corrupt PST and OST files of any size.  Using this tool, you can fix the severely corrupt PST file and troubleshoot the error “Microsoft Outlook Inbox Repair Tool does not recognize the file”. Follow the below-mentioned steps to repair the PST by using this tool:

• Download, install, and launch the Stellar Repair for Outlook software
  

• Browse and select the damaged “unrecognized” PST file.
  
• Click on “Repair”
  
• Preview the repaired emails and other mailbox items.
  
• Go to the “Home” tab and click on “Save Repaired File” to save the data.
  
• Choose the desired format to save the repaired file. You will have different saving options, such as PST, MSG, EML, RTF, HTML, and PDF.
• Once you’ve selected the specific file format, click on “Browse” and choose a new destination to save the repaired file.
  
• Finally, relaunch the Microsoft Outlook app with the same profile connected to the newly repaired file.

Helpful Tip! If you avoid the root causes of the corruption of the PST files, you need not confront such challenges. Always use a secured and trusted network to share the files. In addition, if you reach a situation where it is required to use a third-party tool to repair the severely corrupt files, always go with tested and trusted PST repair software.

To Conclude

Scanpst.exe is the Microsoft Outlook inbuilt tool to fix corruption in Outlook data files. However, it may fail to fix severely corrupt PST files. In such cases, you need to use a reliable and professional PST file repair tool, such as Stellar Repair for Outlook to repair the corrupt PST files. This tool can effectively repair severely corrupt files and allow you to save the repaired file in multiple file formats. You can try its free demo version that repairs the corrupt PST file and shows a preview of the repaired file. However, to save the repaired file, you need to purchase the application.

#micsro