If you’re using the Microsoft Outlook 2007 application to manipulate your email/contacts/etc. you may come across and error message informing you that the default PST file cannot be opened and that you need to use the scanpst.exe tool in order to fix it.
Locating the scanpst.exe can be rather tricky since it is a hidden file. Make sure you check the option “Show hidden files, folders and drives” in the “Folder Options” menu in the “Tools” drop down of your windows explorer. You will either search for “scanpst.exe” or you’ll manually locate the file in:
<drive>:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
Execute the application and locate your pst file when it asks you to. The only options you can set is whether you want the log file to be updated or overwritten. Chances are that you don’t care so just click on “scan” and wait for the application to scan through your pst file. In case it encounters errors, it will alert you to create a back-up file of your pst and then try to salvage the data that it can from within the faulty pst. A new pst file, keeping the name of your original pst, will be created in the place of your old pst. You can now use Outlook to access your email.
