Fix Outlook PST error ".pst is not a personal folder file"

Outlook can surprise you with various errors and the most problematic one is the “.pst is not a personal folder file” this can mean that all of your Outlook data can be lost. Luckily there are several ways to fix ".pst is not a personal folder file" error and recover corrupted PST files.

Outlook PST error: “.pst is not a personal folder file”

Whenever you receive a “.pst is not a personal folder file” error message it clearly mentions that there is something wrong with a .pst file. The outlook.pst file handles all of the Outlook information. This type of error message can mean that all of your Outlook data can be compromised and it is recommended to take immediate actions to repair the corrupted file. The reason for why this error occurs is usually unknown. However, it doesn’t matter why it happens but is there a way to clear the error? Luckily there is a way to repair this type of error in just a couple of steps.

• Part 1: How to Fix Outlook PST error with Inbox repair tool
• Part 2: How to repair Corrupt PST file with Outlook Repair Tool

Part 1: How to Fix Outlook PST error with Inbox repair tool (by using Scanpst.exe to fix error)

The procedure to fix Outlook PST error is quite simple and it can be done by using Scanpst.exe. The steps are as follows:

Step 1 First you must close Outlook and look for the Scanpst.exe tool in C:\Program Files / (x86).

Step 2 You can also find the tool by typing in the search box “scanpst.exe”. On some occasions this step might not work, so the solution is to browse in the Microsoft Office directory.

• For Outlook 2016 you can find it in:
  C:\Program Files (x86)\ Microsoft Office\root\Office16.
• For Outlook 2013 you can find it in:
  C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
• For Outlook 2010 you can find it in:
  C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
• For Outlook 2007 you can find it in:
  C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12

Step 3 Once you have located scanpst.exe run it and type in the name of the .pst corrupted file you want to repair. As a side note, in case the tool cannot repair the corrupted file you have the option of revising the log file and see why it was not able to do so.

Step 4 When you have found the corrupted file click “start”.

Step 5 After the scan is completed it will tell you if it found any errors and it most probably will. If it found any errors click “repair”.

Step 6 Once the repair has finished, open Outlook and check if the error is gone.

A .pst file can be corrupted by various internal or external factors. Here are some causes:

• The computer or Outlook crashes resulting in unsaved data.
• Corrupted add-ons that intervene with the Outlook data.
• Outlook has not been closed safely by being forced to close and not given time to save the data.
• The .pst file was saved on a shared network.

Part 2: How to repair Corrupt PST file with Outlook Repair Tool

These .pst errors can be really annoying especially when the scanpst.exe tool fails to repair Outlook Data. Luckily there is another tool that can help you and it is called Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair.

The developers at Stellar Phoenix have made it very easy to use their Outlook PST repair tool. In just a few steps any corrupted PST file will be recovered.

Step 1 Select Outlook PST files from local drive, and select the option of “Find Outlook file”. Select the letter Drive where you think the corrupted file is and click “start”.

Step 2 Select all personal folder files to scan and start to repairing process.

Step 3 Preview the personal folder files after successfully repaired.

Hopefully the error “.pst is not a personal folder file doesn’t occur very often and even if it does users are in luck to have such a powerful Outlook PST repair tool at their disposal.