Outlook users are aware of the importance of PST data files. They are also aware of the fact that these data files (.pst) are prone to corruption. What is the first line of defence for PST corruption? The first stop is usually Microsoft’s built-in ScanPST.exe utility.
This free utility may not always work effectively. It may fail to fix severely damaged or oversized PST files. When ScanPST fails, users need to employ some advanced PST repair tools.
Such tools offer advanced recovery features and improved reliability. Checkout our guide titled “Top 5 PST Repair Tool to Repair Corrupt Outlook PST Files,” to know more.
What are the Best Tools to Repair PST Files
In this portion of the post, we will unearth the best 5 PST repair software. Below is the list of top-rated tools:
1. Stellar Repair for Outlook
Stellar Repair for Outlook, comprehensive Outlook PST repair tool to repair and restore corrupt PST files. The software can repair a damaged PST file of any size (above 20 GB and even 50 GB+) while preserving the original folder structure.
Its user-friendly interface makes the repair process simple for both individual and IT professionals. The tool supports all Outlook versions and allows users to preview recoverable items before saving them.
The software is available in three versions – Professional, Technician, and Toolkit. Stellar Professional is developed for individual users.
The Technician versions is loaded with advanced features, while the Toolkit is the most comprehensive package, combining multiple Outlook maintenance utilities in one suite.
For users looking for a quick and free solution, Stellar also offers free online PST repair service that can repair corrupt PST files without requiring software installation. This can be a convenient option for minor PST corruption issues
Pros:
- A friendly Graphic User Interface (GUI)
- Offers the previews of the recovered items
- Enhanced scanning and saving speed
- Provides the option of selective recovery of mailbox items
- Capability to repair corrupt .pst files of any size
- Can repair password-protected and encrypted PST files
- Powered with Save and Resume Scan Feature
- Office 365 / Microsoft 365 export and Live Exchange Server export (Technician edition)
- Advanced filters during save (date range, exclude Junk/deleted, filter by sender)
- Recovered mailbox items are marked in red in the preview
- Allows saving repaired data into multiple formats (MBOX, PST, EML, DBX, MSG, RTF, HTML, PDF)
- Ability to preserve original folder hierarchy
Cons:
- The trial version only facilitates the user to scan and preview the recoverable mail items
- Save option for the repaired items not available in the trial edition
2. Aryson Outlook PST Repair
It is another PST repair software. This tool is available in 3 versions – Standard, Advanced, and Deep to fix different corruption levels. It can also fix alignment issues in the PST files.
Pros:
- Repairs corrupted Outlook data files (.pst)
- Recovers all the mailbox items
- Provides the option to export files in different formats like PST, DBX, MSG, EML, and MBOX.
- Equipped with the search feature to locate/ recover selected mail files
- Date Range feature to selectively restore files
- Repairs the file without changing the folder structure
Cons:
- The interface might be a bit difficult for a non-tech person
- The software sometimes struggles while fixing large .pst files
3. Shoviv Outlook PST Repair Tool
This PST recovery tool can scan and repair all kinds of .pst files. It can fix files damaged duo to a virus attack, power failure, or other causes. It is also compatible with all versions of Microsoft Outlook and Windows.
Pros:
- Maintains folder hierarchy
- Restores deleted mail items
- Repairs password-protected as well as encrypted .pst files
- Doesn’t change folder properties
- Perpetual license and lifetime free technical support
Cons:
- Slow speed, takes a reasonable time to fix .pst files of over 100 MB
- Unable to split large PST files
- Demo version allows processing of first 50 items per folder
4. SysTools PST Repair
This tool is another alternative for ScanPST.exe. It supports large PST files without size limitations. Using this software, a user can efficiently recover mailbox content like email messages, contacts, etc.
Pros:
- Capability to repair multiple .pst files
- Supports data file of UNICODE and ANSI formats
- Provides option to eliminate SMIME and OpenPGP encryption from the messages
- Restores lost or deleted data items
- Supports all versions of MS Outlook
Cons:
- It takes a lot of time in repairing a large Outlook data file (.ost)
5. SysInfo PST Repair Tool
SysInfo Outlook PST Recovery is a reliable tool designed to repair Outlook PST files. The free utility is efficient in restoring Outlook email items from corrupt PSTs and provides several file formats for saving the recovered data, which allows flexibility and ease of use.
Pros:
- Retrieves emails that are permanently deleted from Outlook folders.
- It repairs the oversized PST file without losing integrity.
- User-friendly interface suitable for non-technical users.
Cons:
- If you are using the free version, know that it lacks data-saving abilities.
Feature Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Stellar Repair for Outlook | Aryson PST Repair | Shoviv PST Repair | SysTools PST Repair | SysInfo PST Repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repairs Severely Corrupt PST Files | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Repairs Password-Protected PST Files | ✓ | Not Specified | ✓ | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| Maintains Folder Hierarchy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Selective Recovery | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Advanced Save Filters | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Save & Resume Scan | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Split Large PST Files | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Supports ANSI & Unicode PST | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microsoft 365 Export | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Live Exchange Export | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free Online PST Repair Option | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| User-Friendly Interface | ✓ | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | ✓ |
Conclusion
In the above guide, we have explored “Top 5 PST Repair Tool to Repair Corrupt Outlook PST Files.” We have explored the merits as well as demerits of every tool.
Choosing the right PST repair tool depends on the severity of corruption, PST file size, recovery requirements, and budget.
While tools like Aryson, Shoviv, SysTools, and SysInfo offer useful PST repair capabilities, they differ in terms of features, performance, and ease of use.
If you need a solution that can repair severely corrupted or oversized PST files, preview recoverable items, support multiple export formats, and offer advanced options such as Microsoft 365 and Exchange Server export, Stellar Repair for Outlook stands out as a reliable choice. For users dealing with minor corruption issues, free online PST repair service can also be a convenient option.
Before making decision, evaluate your recovery needs and compare the available features to select the tool that best fits your Outlook data recovery requirements.