How to Resolve “FileName.pst file could not be opened.” Error in Outlook

Backup is the best solution to prevent data loss and file corruption like situations. Whenever you come across data loss situations, due to any reason, you can easily restore data from backup and get your system working again. In Microsoft Windows Vista, you can use Backup Status and Configuration utility to create backup of your valuable data. This is an automated tool, using which you can schedule your backup at desired time. But, this utility may prove troublesome for Microsoft Outlook. When you restore a PST file from backup, the file can not be opened and accessed. This behavior renders all your critical data of PST file inaccessible and cause data loss. In such serious circumstances, you need PST Recovery to resolve the issue.

In a practical scenario, when you attempt to open your Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 PST file, you might come across below error message:

“.pst file could not be opened. The file may not be compatible with this version of Outlook or it may be corrupted.”

This error message indicates PST corruption. To retrieve data in these situations, you need to carry out PST File Recovery by fixing it.

Grounds of the issue

You might come across this problem when all of the below given conditions are true:
1.You have created backup of the Outlook PST file using Backup Status and Configuration utility on Microsoft Windows Vista computer.
2.You have recently restored the Outlook PST file from backup with the help of Backup Status and Configuration tool in Windows Vista.
3.The Outlook PST file is stored in an encrypted folder on your Vista hard drive.
4.The file is severely corrupted and Microsoft Office Outlook could not recognize it.

How to fix this problem?

1.In order to resolve this problem, use Scanpst.exe (Inbox Repair Tool) to repair and restore damaged PST file. To do so, go through underwritten steps:
2.Exit MS Outlook and Click Start button and then select Control Panel.
3.Click User Accounts or User Accounts and Family Safety and then click Mail.
4.Click Data Files, select Personal Folders and click Settings.
5.Note the name in Filename box.
6.Click OK button and then click Close button two times.
7.Click Start button, type %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office12\ in Start Search box and press Enter key.
8.Double-click Scanpst.exe.
9.Type file name and path in Enter the name of the file you want to scan box.
10.Click Start and when Scanpst.exe finishes, click OK button.

This method works in most of the cases, but it also has some limitations. It can not scan large PST files and could not repair PST file, which is damaged due to external reasons. In such critical situations, PST Recovery applications come for your rescue.

The PST Recovery software are effective and advanced third-party applications, which work in most of the cases of PST file corruption and retrieve all inaccessible emails, notes, contacts, tasks and other objects. The PST Repair software are pretty safe and easy to use.

Outlook PST Repair is the most effective and reliable Recover PST solution for all your PST corruption problems. It works well with Microsoft Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000. The software is compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista, 2003, XP, 2000 and NT4 (SP6).