Most of the errors in Outlook arise due to corruption in its Personal Folders (PST) file. This further leads to isolation of all the data items such as emails, tasks, contacts, calendar, journals, etc. That you stored in it. The reason is that all these data items get stored in the PST file, which if damaged, denies you access to all the information within it.However, for you to overcome this unfavorable situation, Microsoft has a free of cost utility called ‘Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe)’ inbuilt in Outlook.
The sole purpose is to empower you to be able to repair Outlook PST file by executing it.However, the downside is that it is well suited for users with an advanced technical know-how. Also, severe corruption issues can be outside its capability in several situations. There are many other software utilities that are at par with scanpst.exe, which can give you a healthy Outlook data file while overcoming the limitations of the inbuilt tool. Thus, they can be used as alternatives, for both individual and business purposes.Listed below are the 6 alternatives to Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe):Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST RepairIt is an out-of-the-box software that can repair your PST file, even if it is severely damaged and has a capacity greater than 2GB. It also provides you with the option to locate the PST file if its location is unknown.
Moreover, it can retrieve data from encrypted Outlook data file.It restores all the Outlook data items in a new PST file that can be saved in any desired location. You can then directly import it in Outlook that is configured in your system. Further, it allows you to save the emails in multiple file formats such as MSG, EML, RTF, HTML, and PDF.You can use it on your system that runs Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista. Talking about the Outlook program, it supports all available versions including Outlook 2016.
Last but not the least, it enhances your experience with its self-explanatory interface. It is not just at par with any other tool but excels in what it has been devised for.ProsConsSupports encrypted PST file that has been damagedI didn't find anyAllows saving emails in multiple file formatsDisk Internals Outlook RecoveryIt is a PST repair software that can repair the corrupt Outlook file and retrieve all its data items, however, not from the encrypted file. It can even recover the deleted emails and attachments, even if they are removed from Deleted Items folder. Plus, it can locate the Personal Folders file even if its location is unknown.It also empowers you to save the retrieved emails in EML format, and imports in email clients such as Outlook, Vista Mail, and Outlook Express. Before saving, it gives you the provision to preview the recoverable data files.ProsConsFully automaticIts latest version 3.3 supports Outlook only up to version 2007Can recover deleted emailsCannot recover from encrypted PST filesDataNumen Outlook RepairIt is a renowned Outlook repair software that forms a new PST file with the suffix ‘fixed’ added to its name. For instance, if the name of the corrupt PST file is xxx.pst, the repaired file with complete data items will be saved as xxxfixed.pst.
Here, you have the provision to select the format of the fixed PST file from the two possible formats - Outlook 97-2002 and Outlook 2003-2010.ProsConsCan retrieve Outlook data from damaged PST file. It is useful for all versions of MS OutlookSupports saving emails only in plain text, RTF, and HTML formatOutlook Mail RecoveryThe Outlook Mail Recovery by Disk Doctors can recover the data items from a damaged PST file, and save them in a newly created PST file. Although its name signifies that only emails can be recovered, however, it has more to offer. With this utility, you can also retrieve all data items such as emails, attachments, calendar items, contacts, tasks, and journals.This software is not bound by the causes of corruption; therefore, it can repair any corrupt Outlook data file.
However, even its latest version supports Outlook to the maximum of 2007 version, and not the ones released post that. For instance, Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007.ProsConsCan recover attachments of extremely vast size and embedded HTML messagesDoes not support Outlook 2010, 2013 & 2016Supports both high encryption and compressed encryption PST fileOutdated regarding support for Outlook and Windows OS versionYodot Outlook PST RepairAnother software that can repair corrupt Outlook data file is Outlook PST Repair by the highly reliable data recovery company called Yodot.It has a ‘Smart Scan ’ option with the help of which it retrieves data from even the severely damaged PST. Moreover, it comes up with a message on the screen when the scanning process ends. The message reveals the number of each kind of data items that can be retrieved in the new Personal Folders file.ProsConsRetrieves deleted emails in the new PST by defaultDoes not support Outlook 2016Repairs Outlook OST file as wellOutlookFIX - Cimaware Software’sOutlookFIX from is yet another notable PST repair software that can repair Personal Folders file of Outlook version 2016, Outlook 2013 PST file, as well as supports all other versions. It is a flawless software at par with the Outlook’s Inbox Repair Tool. Moreover, it overcomes the limitations of the built-in tool called scanpst.exe.ProsConsDoes not cause data lossPassword protected PST can be repaired only if it is not encryptedIt is a 9001:2000 certified softwareMS Outlook must be correctly configured to be able to run the toolThe Final WordMS Outlook provides you the benefit of exchanging emails, storing contact information in Contacts, preparing notes through Notes component, scheduling your work through Tasks, etc.
In your personal and professional life.Therefore, when its PST file gets damaged, or corrupt, and the stored data items turn inaccessible, these six recommended tools serve as alternatives to the built-in Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe). You can choose the one that best fits your needs and requirements.