How to Recover Outlook PST File on Windows [8 Methods]

Overview of PST Files

A PST (Personal Storage Table) file is a data file used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and other mailbox items locally on your computer. Unlike server-based storage (like Exchange), PST files allow users to manage and archive Outlook data offline.In short, PST files are widely used for backups and email archiving but require proper maintenance to avoid data loss.

Possible Causes of Missing PST Files

Losing a PST file can happen for various reasons, often leading to disrupted email access. So, learning how to recover PST file matters most. Before diving into PST file recovery methods, it's crucial to understand what might have caused your PST file to go missing or become inaccessible.

1. Accidental Deletion: Users may unintentionally delete PST files, especially if they’re stored in unfamiliar locations.

2. Corruption Due to Improper Handling: Sudden Outlook crashes or forced shutdowns can corrupt PST files. Large PST files (especially beyond Outlook’s size limits) are more prone to damage.

3. Hard Drive or System Failures: Disk errors, sudden power failures, or hard drive crashes can make PST files inaccessible. Formatting or repartitioning a drive may also erase stored PST data.

4. File System Errors: The Windows file system might develop errors that make certain files temporarily invisible or inaccessible to applications, including Outlook.

5. Software or Outlook Issues: Upgrading or reinstalling Outlook can sometimes cause compatibility issues with existing PST files.

6. Encryption or Password Protection Issues: Password-protected PST files become unusable if the password is forgotten. Encryption errors or system changes can also lock users out of their data.

7. Virus or Malware Infection: Malicious software can deliberately delete, hide, or corrupt your PST files as part of its payload.

How to Recover PST File on Windows 10?

Losing access to your Outlook PST file can disrupt your workflow, but there are multiple recovery methods to try. Below are 8 proven solutions, starting from the simplest to more advanced techniques.

Solution 1: Recover Deleted PST From Windows Recycle Bin

Immediately check your Recycle Bin. If found, right-click the PST file and select "Restore" to return it to its original location. If not in Recycle Bin, scroll down to other methods.

Solution 2: Recover from Outlook "Deleted Items"

If you only need to retrieve accidentally deleted emails (rather than restoring an entire PST file), Outlook provides a built-in recovery option:

Step 1: Launch your Outlook application and ensure you're logged into the correct account.

Step 2: In the left sidebar, locate and click on "Deleted Items". Here you'll find emails deleted from your inbox or other folders.

Step 3: Check any email you want to recover. Select "Restore" to move it to original folder.

For Permanently Deleted Emails: Click "Recover Deleted Items from Server" (available in Exchange/Office 365 accounts). 

Solution 3: Resolve File System Errors

If your Outlook PST file becomes inaccessible due to system file corruption, disk errors, or Windows OS issues, repairing the file system may restore access.

Step 1: Press Windows key+X and select Command Prompt (Admin) to open Command Prompt window.

Step 2: Run "sfc /scannow" to repair system files of the drive where the PST files were saved.

Step 3: If issues persist, run "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" for deeper system repairs.

After system repairs, attempt to access your PST file again.

Solution 4: Recover PST Files from Virus/Malware Damage

If your Outlook data file (.pst) is corrupted, encrypted, or deleted due to a virus or malware attack, follow the steps below to check your antivirus quarantine and attempt to restore the PST file(take Windows Defender as example):

Step 1: Press Windows + S, type "Windows Security", and open the app. Alternatively, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.

Step 2: Click on "Virus & threat protection". Under "Current threats," select "Protection history".

Step 3: In the list of detected items, look for entries related to .pst or .ost files.Check the "Quarantined" section specifically.

Step 4: Select the target file and click "Restore".

Solution 5: Recover PST Files Via"Previous Version"

If your PST file was lost due to accidental deletion, corruption, or overwriting, Windows Previous Versions (File History) might help restore an older, working copy. This method only works if File History or System Restorewas previously enabled.

Step 1: Navigate to the folder where your PST file was stored (e.g., "C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\Outlook Files"). Select it and click "Properties".

Step 2: Access to the "Previous Versions" tab. A list of available backups (from File History or System Restore) will appear. Select the most recent working version and click"Restore".

Solution 6: Restore PST Files Using "File History"

Apart from the Previous Version, you can also try the "File History" feature to recover deleted PST files on Windows computer.

Step 1: Search "Restore Your Files with File History" in the Windows Start menu.

Step 2: Navigate to the folder where your PST file was stored (e.g., C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\Outlook Files).

Step 3: Select the desired PST fileand click "Restore" to save it to the original location (or choose "Restore to" for a different path).

Solution 7: Restore PST Files by Microsoft Windows File Recovery

For permanently deleted PST files (bypassing Recycle Bin) when no backup exists, the Windows File Recovery command tool free offered by Microsoft (available for Windows 10/11 via Microsoft Store) can be a nice option.

Step 1: Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Step 3: Run the command: Winfr C: D: /regular /n *.pst

Replace C: (source drive) and D: (destination drive) as needed.

Recovered files will save to the destination drive under a new folder (e.g., Recovery_[Date]).

Solution 8: Recover PST Files by MyRecover

When the above methods all fail to retrieve PST files, it’s time to turn to professional and powerful third-party data recovery software like MyRecover, auser-friendly, GUI-based recovery solution.It is able to recover PST files from formatted hard drive, emptied Recycle Bin, virus attack, file system corruption, system crash and other severe situations.

Step 1: Install MyRecoveron a different drive from the one you stored the PST files.

Step 2: Launch the tool. Select the source drive where the PST file was storedand click on "Scan".

Step 3: A "Quick Scan" will be performed by default for recently deleted items. You can switch to "Deep Scan" manually for thorough recovery.

Step 4: Preview found files (filter by folder or file name).

Step 5: Select the target file and click "Recover". Save it to a different drive to avoid overwriting.

Once the recovery process is completed, you can directly click the files path to check the recovered PST files.

Further Reading: Repair Recovered PST Files (If Corrupted)

If have recovered PST files successfully using one of the above methods, but the files are damaged and cannot be opened as usual,scanpst.exe (the Inbox Repair Tool) can help you get back the accessibility.

Step 1: Locate and run the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) from your Office installation directory.To make it easy, you can directly "scanpst.exe"in the search box after opening Windows File Explorer.

General Location:

• 64-bit Windows and Office: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX (where XX is your Office version, e.g., Office16 for 2016/2019/2021)
• 32-bit Windows and Office: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX (where XX is your Office version)

Step 2: Browse to select your corrupted PST file and click "Start" to begin the scan and repair process.Please remember you have to close the Outlook before the scanning process.

Summary

Losing access to your Outlook PST files can be frustrating, but with the right approach, recovery is often possible. Start with simple solutions like checking the Recycle Bin or Outlook’s Deleted Items. If those don’t work, try system repairs, Previous Versions, or File History. For more severe caseswithout any backup, use Windows File Recovery or third-party tools like MyRecover for deep scans.

For a quick scan and recovery, MyRecover is more recommended. In addition to the PST files, it is also able to recover other types of files. For example, you can use this software to recover videos, musics, pdfs, emails, and so on.