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Written By Rohan Wiese
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Updated on January 21st, 2025
Summary: Often users put queries like “How do I fix the Outlook PST is not an Outlook data file PST error?” This is among other common issues of Outlook that arise due to corrupt or inaccessible PST files. Outlook PST contains complete mailbox data, contacts, and calendars, thus encountering errors like this can be a serious concern. Nevertheless, this blog will guide you to some of the most effective methods that can help you resolve Outlook PST file errors. If looking for a quick and secure solution, prefer Outlook PST Repair Software in the first place. Download Now Purchase Now
This error usually occurs when MS Outlook cannot recognize your PST as a valid Outlook data file. Consequently, Outlook faces difficulty accessing the file. Also, it restricts access to emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks stored in the concerned PST. The error shows a message that says:
“The file <path> is not a valid Outlook data file (PST).”
Now, you must be wondering, why such an error is caused. There can be multiple reasons causing the PST file error:
You must understand the real cause of the Outlook error, before concluding any solution. This helps find the most suitable methods to resolve the error. Experts also recommend that one must find out the real cause of such an error and then try any troubleshooting steps.
Here we will discuss multiple troubleshooting methods to deal with this Outlook PST file error. Each method discussed is to address different root causes of the error effectively. Therefore, identify the real cause and choose an appropriate method.
If your PST file is set to “read-only”, this may prevent Outlook from accessing the PST file. Here are the steps you need to follow to disable the attribute:
Sometimes, moving the PST file to a different location can bypass potential access restrictions. Do as the steps direct:
As mentioned earlier, oversized PST files may become corrupt or unstable. This may lead to PST access issues. Here are the steps to be followed:
You can also remove duplicate emails using Outlook’s cleanup tools or a professional Outlook Duplicate Remover for this task.
If still Outlook says PST File is not an Outlook Data File, update Outlook to the latest version.
Outdated Outlook can often cause compatibility issues. Therefore, it is mandatory to keep Outlook up-to-date with the latest version for a better user experience. Do as the steps follow:
Another major reason for PST files being unreadable is disk errors or bad sectors. Therefore, you must check for such disk errors and resolve them as soon as possible:
If your Outlook profile gets corrupt, this can also prevent Outlook from accessing PST files. In that case, you have to create a new Outlook profile. Follow the process given:
Outlook provides a built-in utility to repair corrupt PST files and is called ScanPST.exe or Inbox Repair Tool. You need to locate ScanPST.exe and run it. Follow the given steps:
However, this tool might fail sometimes, especially when PST files are severely corrupt. Therefore, professional recovery software is suggested for all types of PST file corruption and damage. Wondering, which is the best? Let us explore.
You might face many various instances where you need to Fix PST File Error When Scanpst.exe Fails. There comes the Aryson PST Repair Tool. One may consider this software to fix large and oversized PST files without any hassle or complexity. Users get to check recovered PST file data and they can choose what to restore for further use. This software is fully featured with multiple recovery modes to fix all minor and severe corruptions. Furthermore, it lets users restore PST data into other formats like MBOX, DBX, MSG, and more.
Hence, this is how you can fix inaccessible PST file errors with minimal effort. The software is compatible with all Windows OS and does not require Outlook installation for recovery.
This blog discussed all the possible solutions to your query “How do I fix the Outlook PST is not an Outlook data file PST error?” Sometimes, minor troubleshooting steps can help you resolve such Outlook errors. However, if the manual procedure fails, go for a recommended professional approach that is secure and 100% reliable. Make sure you figure out the real cause of the error before coming to a conclusion.
About The Author:
Rohan Wiese is a Technical Writer at Aryson Technologies. He is an expert Email Forensic, Cloud Computing, and a passionate nerd with over 10 years of experience in technical content writing. He writes about Cloud Migration, Database Recovery, Email Backup, Windows, Mac, and Tech.
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