How To Repair Outlook Pst Files
Microsoft Outlook uses PST files to store the personal details entered by users of Outlook. The files include contact data, personal calendars and email or other data stored by the user. When an event occurs that causes any of those PST files to become corrupted, users of Microsoft Outlook using Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 operating systems may see an "0x80040600:An unknown error has occurred" message when the Send/Receive command is executed or when there is an attempt to view emails located in the inbox. That error is similar to the "An unknown error has occurred. 0x80040600" error message, as the trigger for the messages are closely related. The same problem will trigger the "Messaging interface caused an unknown error" notice.
A Little Warning: If you are not familiar with computers or if the how to repair outlook PST files instructions below appear too difficult, or if the instructions do not resolve the problem, consider using dedicated software that has been demonstrated to work. It is strongly recommended that a free scan using Stellar Outlook PST Repair be completed prior to any further repair attempt.
In order to resolve the error messages, users must be able to repair Outlook PST files. The first step in repairing PST files is to set the option to show hidden files. In Windows XP, the following steps must be followed:
- Start Windows Explorer.
- In the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
- Click the View tab.
- Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders.
- Click the OK button.
To show hidden files and folders in Windows Vista and Windows 7, complete the following steps:
- Go to the Control Panel.
- Click Appearance and Personalization.
- Click Folder Options.
- Click the View tab.
- Under the Advanced Settings, click Show hidden files and folders.
- Click OK.
The next step in the repair process is to utilize the Inbox Repair tool provided by Microsoft Outlook for repairing and restoring corrupt PST files. First, however, the PST file must be located. For this step, complete the following.
In Windows XP:
- Click Start.
- Click Run,
- Type control in the Open box.
- Press Enter.
- If the Pick a category view option appears, click User Accounts.
- Double-click Mail.
- Click Data Files.
- Click Personal Folders.
- Click Settings.
- Note the text that appears in the Filename box.
- Click OK
- Click Close two times.
- In Windows Vista and Windows 7:
- Go to the Control Panel.
- If you see Control Panel Home view, click the User Accounts and Family Safety.
- Click Mail
- Click Data Files.
- Click Personal Folders.
- Click Settings.
- Note the text that appears in the Filename box.
- Click OK
- Click Close twice.
The text in the filename box is the path to the PST file. This will be required later while using the Inbox Repair Tool.
Next, the Inbox Repair Tool will be discussed. Follow the guidelines below.
In Windows Vista and Windows 7 using Microsoft Outlook 2003:
- Click Start.
- Type %ProgramFiles%Common FilesSystemMSMAPI1033 in the Start Search box.
- Press ENTER.
- Find and double-click SCANPST.EXT to start the Inbox Repair Tool.
In the Enter the name of the file you want to scan box, type the path and file name of the Outlook .pst file that was saved in step 2.
- Click Start.
- After the Inbox Repair Tool operation is completed, click OK.
- In Windows Vista or Windows 7 using Microsoft Outlook 2007:
- Click Start.
- Type %ProgramFiles%Microsoft OfficeOffice12 in the Start Search box.
- Press ENTER.
- Find and double-click SCANPST.EXE to start the Inbox Repair Tool.
In the Enter the name of the file you want to scan box, type the path and file name of the Outlook .pst file that was saved in step 2.
- Click Start.
- After the Inbox Repair Tool operation is complete, click OK.
- In Windows XP:
- Click Start
- Click Search
- Click All Files and Folders
- In the All or part of the file name box, type Scanpst.exe.
Change the selection in the Look in box to the local hard disk. For example, change the selection to Local Disk (C:).
Click Search.
When the search is complete, double-click SCANPST.EXE to start the Inbox Repair Tool.
In the Enter the name of the file you want to scan box, type the path and file name of the Outlook .pst file that was noted in step 2.
Click Start.
After the Inbox Repair Tool operation is complete, click OK.
Once the instructions above are complete, the Outlook PST file repair is complete.
