Microsoft Outlook is still one of the top choices for managing emails at work or for personal use, but let’s be honest — it’s not perfect. When PST (Personal Storage Table) files get corrupted, usually because they’re huge, Outlook crashes or just refuses to open, leaving you stuck with broken mailboxes. Those built-in repair tools like ScanPST are kinda hit or miss, especially if the file’s really messed up or super big. I’ve been down that rabbit hole myself, and it’s frustrating because sometimes ScanPST just crashes or doesn’t fix anything.
So, I looked around for an alternative that might be more reliable. Tried out Stellar Repair for Outlook on a pretty damaged 20 GB PST, on a Windows 11 machine (8 GB RAM, Outlook 2026 64-bit).Here’s what went down — maybe it saves you some time if you’re in the same boat.
How to Fix Corrupted PST Files in Outlook
Method 1: Running the Built-in ScanPST Utility – Why it might fail
The first thing to try, just like everyone recommends, is the classic ScanPST. It’s available in Outlook’s program folder or through Windows Search. If you’re lucky, it’ll fix minor corruption. To run it:
- Navigate to the Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX folder—where XX is your Outlook version, like 16 or 19.
- Double-click
scanpst.exe. - Select the corrupted PST file (you’ll need the file path, often under Documents\Outlook Files or wherever you stored it).
- Click Start.
In my case, that failed miserably. Error messages, corruption was too severe — typical. After this, importing the file just gave incomplete or unreadable folders. Yeah, it’s a sign it’s not gonna fix this beast.
Method 2: Using Stellar Repair for Outlook – The real deal
This is where things got better. Download Stellar Repair for Outlook. Installed it, and honestly, it’s pretty straightforward. Once launched, it shows a clean interface, which is kind of refreshing given how Windows apps can get cluttered.
When you open Stellar Repair, it automatically scans your Outlook profiles. If you have multiple profiles, it’s helpful because it saves you from wandering around looking for the right PST. Or, if you already know where the file is, you can just manually select it (look for the Browse button).
Pro tip: If your PST is big — like 20+ GB — expect it to run for a little while. I kept an eye on it, and it took about an hour to finish repairing my file. It’s kinda normal for large files, but be prepared for the wait.
Method 3: Preview and Save the Fixed Outlook Data
After the scan completes, Stellar lets you preview everything — emails, contacts, calendar entries, attachments, all of it. Weirdly satisfying when you see your emails pop up after all that mess, right?
To save the repaired PST, you’ll need to upgrade from the demo. The paid versions, like the Professional, are pretty affordable and worth it if you deal with corrupt files often. Once activated, just choose where to export the fixed file.
Then, using Outlook’s Import/Export wizard, you load the repaired PST back into Outlook. On one machine it worked instantly, on another, I had to restart Outlook just to see everything load properly. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
What’s good and what sucks?
Pros:
- Handles big PST files like a champ — tested with 20 GB, no problem.
- Profiles are auto-detected, so you don’t have to manually dig through folders.
- Nice, simple UI that makes sense even if you’re not a techie.
Cons:
- Large files take time — on my setup, about an hour for 20 gigs.
- Full recovery with export needs a paid license, of course. Nothing’s free in this game.
Is it worth the cash?
Based on my real-world mess testing, Stellar Repair for Outlook is pretty solid — way better than the built-in tools, especially when files are huge or badly corrupted. It’s not perfect, but if you’ve been fighting with Outlook for hours, this little tool might just save the day. The interface is nice, and it just works (most of the time).Definitely recommend for anyone with stubborn PST files that refuse to open or fix themselves.
Wrap-up
If you’re running into corrupt PST files that won’t budge, trying Stellar Repair is worth a shot. It does what Microsoft’s free tools can’t sometimes and saves a lot of headache. Just remember: large files mean some patience, and a paid license is needed for the full deal. Just something that worked on a couple of different setups — hopefully it helps speed things up for someone else too.
Summary
- Built-in ScanPST can fail on large or severely corrupted PSTs
- Stellar Repair for Outlook handles big files and complex issues better
- Expect some wait time with large files; license needed for full export
- Preview your data before saving — pretty reassuring to see your emails again
- Always back up the PST before starting repairs, just in case
Final thoughts
In the end, Stellar Repair for Outlook kinda saved my sanity. Not sure why it works sometimes when other tools fail, but it does. Fingers crossed this helps someone else avoid the nightmare of lost emails. Good luck out there.