Everyone who has used the Outlook repair tool would have at least once encountered the problem of corrupted files. The mail client data is in .PST format and accounts are in .OST format. When you don’t have an online exchange back up you need alternative options.
Due to a system failure, files become corrupted and Outlook cannot always open them. Therefore, all information: important contacts, correspondence, multimedia is lost. However, the data recovery won’t work without special software. But there is a way to solve this problem.
Today, I will tell you about one very handy tool – OST Viewer. The tool is distributed both online and offline. Therefore, it can be downloaded to a computer or used remotely through the developer’s website. In addition to the program, we will consider one more common method.
Table of Contents
What is .OST and with what it is “eaten”?
The file is a copy of the email but fully synchronized. It contains the entire cache, and it’s generated automatically when the “Use Offline Files” setting is selected in your Outlook mail client.
If the information is still “gone,” it will not be difficult to restore it – just create a new mail account and synchronize with a new one. But there are situations when the file itself is damaged and you can’t do without OST Viewer.
Interesting: OST is similar to .PST, but there is a significant difference – it is used only for technical data.
OST Viewer: features, benefits
Built-in Outlook functionality is limited – to copy to Outlook, you need to spend a lot of time converting .OST file extensions. This can only be done using external software such as OST Viewer from Recovery Toolbox.
What it can do:
- read files without the need to connect to the Windows Domain Controller (WDC);
- recover .PST and .OST files with ANSI, UNICODE encodings;
- read and recover password-protected data;
- convert files to MSG, EML;
- restore text content to HTML, Rich Text;
- work with big data from 2GB.
In fact, there are many more functions. I have given examples of the most requested and frequently used settings. There is enough functionality for everyone. I have repeatedly used this program, and it worked perfectly.
Of the advantages, it is worth noting a pleasant and friendly interface. The tool window is not overloaded and immediately offers the necessary functions, i.e., you don’t have to wander through the wilds without a trace – everything you need is at hand.
There is sorting by the FROM, TO, SUBJECT attributes. It helps me a lot when working with large files. OST Viewer allows you to view damaged files – a useful feature so that you can choose what needs to be restored and what to delete.
What else do you need to know?
Do you often use an email client (PC)? Then get ready for the PST file size to exceed 10 GB – it depends on the length and number of letters, on pictures, if any.
It is worth considering that the size of the PST is proportional to the risk of errors. Therefore, you need to work with files up to 8 GB. If the data was damaged, the mail client would give an error.
By default, the PC stores information in system folders, so you have to dig deeper. Just look carefully at the names of the components; deleting files can break the stability of the OS.
Important! Beforehand, it is better to create a backup of the file. In order not to completely lose information.
How to recover files via OST Viewer
First, you need to decide on the method:
- will be restored by the standard program;
- or launch the online version.
I will discuss in detail each of them. Let’s start with the offline tool. Go to the developer’s site. There is a demo to familiarize yourself with the functionality.
Important: The program does not support macOS, Android, iOS. Therefore, if you are in the ranks of the “lucky ones,” kindly use the service’s online version. Below I will tell you in detail how to do this.
Steps:
- run the program;
- in the pop-up window, click “Search for files“;
- select the folder where the data is stored;
- now, the program offers three functions: recovery, conversion from .OST to .PST and saving content in MSG / EML / VCF format, search for deleted files;
- select the required setting. In a specific case, you need to click on “Recovery“;
- the tool analyzes the source. The time depends on the file size and the power of the computer. Upon completion, OST Viewer shows the found data. Check the boxes that need to be restored and click “Next“.
At the final stage, there is again a choice: to save immediately in finished form or “split” into separate files.
The first option is suitable if you need to export information to Outlook as quickly as possible, while the second option is chosen to vary the file depending on the information. For example, letters are converted to MSG, EML, VCF, TXT. Calendar, tasks and journal are exclusively MSG.
Recovering files using the ScanPST tool
The program is free and is downloaded from the Microsoft website, this company is its developer. The toolkit is limited compared to OST Viewer, but it is sufficient for working with PST files. Actually, the Inbox Repair Tool program was developed for them.
ScanPst is used to solve simple problems, i.e., shallow damage. But this does not prevent her from being as popular.
Important! Do ensure to close all email clients, in particular Outlook, before starting. Otherwise, additional problems will arise.
What should be done:
- download the program from the official site – most Windows distributions have a preinstalled version of Inbox Repair Tool:
- install on a computer;
- run the utility and select everything that needs to be restored;
- before starting, the software offers to make a backup.
- I repeat that Inbox Repair Tool can handle simple tasks. If data in the .PST or .OST format was badly damaged, then ScanPst is not the best option.
- A program is unequivocally ineffective if:
- PST headers were corrupted;
- data is protected by a personal password;
- the admissible volume is exceeded. In newer versions, the limit is set to 50 GB, while – 2 and 20 GB in older versions;
- the logical and physical structure of the PST has broken.
Among the advantages, it is worth noting the small size, undemanding hardware, and cross-platform (suitable for almost all operating system versions). The disadvantage is the lack of the necessary tools for deep recovery and conversion out of the box.
How to recover files via the online version
There are no fundamental differences in terms of functionality in comparison.
Unless the online version only supports information in .PST format with UNICODE encoding. This is not a problem because the service issues files are already ready for synchronization with the mail client. Therefore, you don’t need to convert anything.
I will describe the method in more detail:
- follow the link;
- fill out a small form: enter your email address, fill in the captcha;
- now, you need to upload the damaged files to the server. Click on the “Select file” button;
- click on the “Next“ field.
The process has begun. We are waiting for the result and downloading the recovered data in .PST format with UNICODE encoding. The resulting file can be synchronized with Outlook and continue to work safely.
Which way to use?
Each technique is good in its own way. I personally recommend using third-party software such as Ost Viewer from Recovery Toolbox.