How to Repair Outlook PST File Locked Error – Can’t Find Scanpst.exe?

If you are unable to access your Outlook because of Outlook PST File Locked error, then your PST file corrupt or damaged. You have to fix the corrupt or damaged PST in order to get back your emails, contacts, attachments, notes, journals, calendars, and tasks. An error like this can make your important files corrupt, so you have to be careful while choosing the tool to solve this issue. In this article, we will discuss the possible reasons for this error and how to fix it.

Reasons for PST File Locked Error

There are several reasons for a PST file to get corrupt or damaged and produce PST file locked error. In this article, we will give an overview of the various problems connected to the cause of non-functioning of Outlook PST file.

1 – Hardware problem: At times your hard disk fails to transfer or store the PST files leading to PST file corruption. More than often, it may generate PST file locked error. You can categorize hard drive failure into three types;

A – Bad sectors: Hard drive having bad sector can lead to PST file corruption. To read emails from the PST file stored on such bad sectors is nearly impossible

B – Network Server Failure: In a business organization, it could be possible that your PST file is stored on a network server and you have to access that through a client computer. If there are any hardware problems in the network like hubs, routers, etc. then, it can cause corruption in your Outlook PST file.

C – Power Failure: When you are working on Outlook and then a sudden power outage would lead to PST file corruption.

2 – Software Problem: There are several software issues as well which can make your PST file corrupt or damage. Problems like file system error, virus attack, downloading data from unauthorized sites can also make your Outlook inaccessible.

Another reason for PST file corruption is, exceeding its normal 2GB storage size. An oversized PST file is a common reason for your PST file to go corrupt and can give PST file locked error message.

However, you can solve these problems manually. Microsoft offers an inbuilt repair tool Scanpst.exe to fix issues pertaining to Outlook data files. Unfortunately, Scanpst.exe fails to repair in most cases. Even repairing PST file lock error, scanpst.exe may not be successful because it has certain limitations within its functionality.

Limitations of Scanpst.exe

  • It will collapse while repairing oversized PST files, as it is beyond ScanPST capability, thus the PST file locked problem remains unresolved.
  • It is designed to fix basic header file corruption and not the entire broken or damaged file. Hence it can be considered as inefficient to repair most of the Outlook errors.
  • When Outlook complains about an error, ScanPST shows no error. It fails to scan the Outlook data files for errors.
  • When it fixes mirror issue, while recovery process, it may lose some files. It cannot keep the files intact during or after recovery process, hence trusting this tool to fix PST file locked error can be harmful, if not useful.

Outlook PST Repair Tool

The best way to repair damaged Outlook PST file is by using Outlook PST Repair Tool. This third-party tool is a brilliant utility to fix Outlook PST file locked error and other Outlook issues. Some of the salient features of the Outlook Repair tool are listed below:

Irrespective of the level of severity, the tool can fix all broken emails and PST files.

Additionally, it recovers other Outlook items like contacts, tasks, journals, and calendars etc. resolving your Outlook PST file locked error.

  • It recovers even password protected files.
  • Restores files in its original form
  • Allows you save repaired files in your desired location.
  • Has self-descriptive and interactive GUI.
  • Even a novice can run this easy-to-use tool.
  • Compatible with all Windows versions
  • Offers free trial version to test to see if Outlook file locked error can be fixed before you buy the product.
  • Supports all versions of Outlook like MS Outlook 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 etc.

Conclusion, by making use of automated Outlook PST Repair Tool, you can easily solve your Outlook PST file locked error. With few simple steps get back your Outlook data files.

Fix Microsoft Outlook not Showing My Emails Issue

Here is explained how to tackle the Outlook not showing emails issue by removing and adding the email account back to Microsoft account.

outlook

Is your Outlook not showing any email? Well, this issue occurred for several Outlook users after updating their Outlook. The problem with this update is Microsoft has stopped receiving emails from the email addresses that end with @outlook, @hotmail @msn or @live. If you want to continue receiving emails even after Outlook update, you need to follow the below guide.

Phase 1– Finding the Current Outlook version

Before going to fix the issue, find out which version of Outlook you are using. To check this

  1. Log into Outlook, then browse to Help menu
  2. In the Help menu, click on About Microsoft Office Outlook
  3. Then, check the Outlook version

Phase 2- Remove and Add the emails Account

After finding the current version of your Outlook, next step is to remove the email account and add it back to receive emails.

Steps to Remove Email Account:

Outlook 2016

  • In the Outlook, go to File tab and select Account Settings
  • Here, you have to select Email tab and choose com account
  • Select Remove option

You can also use these steps for removing the email account from Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2010.

Outlook 2007

  1. Go to Tools menu and click on Account Settings
  2. Then, select Email tab on Account Settings
  3. Pick the Outlook account and click on Remove

Outlook 2003

  • Go to Tools menu and select Email Accounts
  • Then, you have to choose View or change existing e-mail accounts and then hit Next.
  • Select E-mail tab, pick the Outlook.com account and then press Remove button

Once you remove the Email account, next is to add it back to Microsoft account.

Adding Email Account in Microsoft Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013

  • Open Outlook and click on File tab
  • Select Add Account option under Account Information
  • In the Add Account window, select Email Account check box
  • Enter your name, address, password and then click on Next button
  • Once you finish the process, click on Finish button

Adding Email Account in Microsoft Outlook 2010

  1. Go to File tab, select Account Settings
  2. In the Account Settings tab, select Email tab
  3. Then, choose New button
  4. In the Add New Account window, select Email Account check box and then click Next
  5. Finish the configuration process, when Auto Account Setup box appears

After adding the email account, restart the Outlook. Now, you will be able to see all the emails. If the problem still exists, then it might be the result of PST file corruption. In such case, you need to use advanced Remo PST Repair tool to repair the PST file which is not showing emails.  The tool works on all the Outlook versions to fix the corrupted PST file.

How to Import Emails from Outlook OST File?

outlook

Microsoft Outlook Data Files are categorized into 2 types: OST and PST files. OST files consist copies of your Exchange Server data, whereas PST files consist of data stored in the personal folders. MS Outlook cannot directly import data/emails from OST files if you want to copy .ost files to another PC, you either have to create a new offline data file (.ost) by configuring the exchange client to the server or use convert OST to PST file. For former, you can either convert manually which can go wrong if not followed the instructions properly or use trustable third-party OST to PST Converter tools which do the job seamlessly. Now, let’s see how to create a new offline Outlook data file.

Re-Creating Outlook OST File

  • Close Outlook application.
  • Go to Control Panel and double click on Mail.
  • The location of Mail varies depending on the versions of the Windows operating system. The easiest method to locate the Mail is to search in the Control Panel. Open Control Panel, in the search box, type Mail.
  • The Mail Setup window will open with the current profile name, choose the profile name and click on Properties.
  • Now, click on Email Accounts tab, choose the Exchange account and then click on Change.
  • Uncheck the box beside “Use Cached Exchange Mode”.
  • Next, click on “More Settings”.
  • Click Advance tab, and then click on “Offline Folder File Settings”.
  • Now, click on “Disable Offline Use”, a dialog box appears, in that click Yes.
  • Once again click on “Offline Folder File Settings”.
  • Press OK.
  • A dialog box appears, press Yes.
  • In the Cached Exchange Mode Settings, check-mark the box beside Use Cached Exchange Mode.
  • Now, click OK, and then Next and then click Finish.
  • Close “Account Settings” and “Mail Setup”

Now, restart your MS Outlook and the changes will be in effect. Though creating a new OST file is not tedious or cumbersome, due to some unexpected interruptions or unavoidable situations like power outrage while creating new .ost file or sudden shut down of the computer or Email Exchange Server crash may lead to corruption of the OST file, in a such case, to repair corrupt OST file you have to use a software tool which can repair and recover your .ost files.

The software repairs all Outlook items like emails, calendar, contacts, journal etc. by default. It also provides the option to choose only selective Outlook items to repair. While repair process, the software ensures not to make any changes to the OST file. To be assured of the repair results, you can download the trial version. If satisfied with the results, you can purchase the product.