Check your Outlook mail file (PST) for errors

In the Inbox Repair tool, type the path and the file name of your personal folders (.pst) file or click Browse to locate the file by using the Windows file system, and then click Start.
Note If you do not know where the .pst file is located, follow the steps in How to locate, move, or back up your .pst file.

Note The Inbox Repair Tool cannot repair every problem that is detected. In some cases, items may not be recovered if they were permanently deleted or corrupted beyond repair.

After you run the Inbox Repair tool, you can start Outlook and recover repaired items. Optionally, you can try to recover additional repaired items from the backup personal folder.

To start, create a new Personal Folders (.pst) file entry in your profile. Then, you can move the recovered items to your new Personal Folders (.pst) file.

1. Start Outlook. If you use multiple profiles in Outlook, make sure that you select the profile that contains the Personal Folders (.pst) file that you tried to repair.
2. Press CTRL+6 to turn on Folder List view.
3. In your Folder List, you should see the following recovered folders:

      Recovered Personal Folders
   
         Calendar
         Contacts
         Deleted Items
         Inbox
         Journal
         Notes
         Outbox
         Sent Items
         Tasks
   

   Note These recovered folders are usually empty because this is a rebuilt .pst file. You should also see a folder named Lost and Found. This folder contains folders and items that the Inbox Repair Tool recovered. Unfortunately, items that are missing from the Lost and Found folder may be beyond repair.
4. Create a new Personal Folder (.pst) file in your profile. The steps may be different, depending on which version of Outlook you are running.
   
   Outlook 2010 and later
   1. Click on the File tab on the ribbon, and then click the Info tab on the menu.
   2. Click the Account Settings button, and then click Account Settings again.
   3. Click the Data Files tab.
   4. Click Add to open the Create or Open Outlook Data File dialog box.
   5. Enter a file name for your new Outlook Data (.pst) file, and then click OK.
   6. You should have a new Outlook Data (.pst) file in your profile.
   Outlook 2007
   1. On the File menu, click Data File Management.
   2. Click Add to open the New Outlook Data File dialog box.
   3. In the Types of storage dialog box, click to select Office Outlook Personal Folders File (.pst), and then click OK.
   4. In the Create or Open Outlook Data File dialog box, select the location and a file name for your new Personal Folders (.pst) file, and then click OK.
   5. Click OK.
   6. You should have a new Personal Folders (.pst) file in your profile.
   Outlook 2003
   1. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Outlook Data File.
   2. Click OK to open the Create or Open Outlook Data File dialog box.
   3. Enter a file name for your new Personal Folders (.pst) file, and then click OK to open the Create Microsoft Personal Folders dialog box.
   4. Enter a file name for your new Personal Folders (.pst) file, and then click OK.
   5. You should have a new Personal Folders (.pst) file in your profile.
   Outlook 2002
   1. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Personal Folders File (.pst).
   2. Click Create to open the Create Microsoft Personal Folders dialog box.
   3. Enter a file name for your new Personal Folders (.pst) file, and then click OK.
   4. You should have a new Personal Folders (.pst) file in your profile.
5. Drag the recovered items from the Lost and Found folder to your new Personal Folders (.pst) file.
6. When you have finished moving all items, you can remove the Recovered Personal Folders (.pst) file from your profile. This includes the Lost and Found folder.
7. If you are satisfied with the information that you recovered, you are finished. However, if you want to try to recover additional information, go to "Recover repaired items from the backup file."