Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe)

Upon starting Outlook I get the message that errors have been detected and that I need to run the Inbox Repair tool.

Where can I find that?

scanpst.exe buttonThe Inbox Repair Tool can be started with scanpst.exe.

The exact location of this file depends on your version of Office and the installation type. It also depends on whether you have it installed on a 32-bit version of Windows or 64-bit version of Windows.

You can use OutlookTools (free) to locate it for you. Below you'll find an overview of the default locations of scanpst.exe throughout the versions of Outlook.

When you need step-by-step instructions how to use scanpst.exe see: Using the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe).

Microsoft 365 / Outlook 2019 / Outlook 2016 Click to Run

any Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office16

Outlook 2016 (MSI-based Volume License installation)

32-bit WindowsC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
64-bit WindowsC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16
64-bit OutlookC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16

Outlook 2013

32-bit WindowsC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15
64-bit WindowsC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
64-bit OutlookC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15
Click-to-RunC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office15

Outlook 2010

32-bit WindowsC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14
64-bit WindowsC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
64-bit OutlookC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14

Outlook 2007

32-bit WindowsC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12
64-bit WindowsC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12

Note:
If scanpst.exe is unable to fix your pst-file, then it is too badly corrupted. You can then try repairing or salvage recoverable items via a 3rd party recovery tool such as DataNumen Outlook Repair (for pst-files) or DataNumen Exchange Recovery (for ost-files).
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ScanOst.exe

When you connect to an Exchange server and need to check your local cache (ost-file) for errors you could run scanost.exe when using Outlook 2007. You can find this in the same location as scanpst.exe.

Outlook 2010 and later no longer have the scanost.exe feature. In this case, rename the ost-file to .old while Outlook is closed and Outlook will rebuild a new cache from the Exchange mailbox the next time you start Outlook.

When you use Outlook 2013 or later with an IMAP account, then Outlook also uses an ost-file. In this case see; Don’t risk losing your Contacts and Calendar when using IMAP in Outlook 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365.

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