In Microsoft Outlook, the mail and folder data is stored as a .pst file. If this file becomes corrupted, the user may be unable to open their mail or mail folders. The Inbox Repair Tool, ScanPST (file name: scanpst.exe) can diagnose and attempt to repair the problem. If successful, the tool will restore the mail files to their pre-corrupted state.

Scanpst.exe is installed with Outlook and can repair .pst files for Outlook 97 to Outlook 2007. For business computers, the utility only scans the local .pst file and not any .pst files on the mail server itself. The scanpst.exe file is usually located in C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/OFFICE12 or C:/Program Files/Common Files/System/MSMAPI/1033.

E-mail terms

In Windows 64-bit versions, the Program Files folder for 32-bit applications is titled “Program Files (x86)”. 32-bit versions of Microsoft Office are located inside this folder.

  • A downloadable version is available on our downloads page.