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?
The 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 Windows | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16 |
| 64-bit Windows | C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16 |
| 64-bit Outlook | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16 |
Outlook 2013
| 32-bit Windows | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15 |
| 64-bit Windows | C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15 |
| 64-bit Outlook | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15 |
| Click-to-Run | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office15 |
Outlook 2010
| 32-bit Windows | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14 |
| 64-bit Windows | C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14 |
| 64-bit Outlook | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14 |
Outlook 2007
| 32-bit Windows | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12 |
| 64-bit Windows | C:\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).
If you decide to order use DNC-PUXB-HT to get a discount.
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.
