Microsoft Outlook Repair
Q. What is Microsoft Outlook Repair?
A. Whenever you are running Microsoft Outlook, you run the risk of having specific files get corrupted. The PST file is usually the source of these problems. Most applications have their issues and Outlook is no different. Whether it damages the file for you, or a virus damages it, you will need to use the Microsoft Outlook Repair feature to fix the problem. In many cases, you won't even be able to get into your inbox until it is fixed.
Q. What are common problems that happen with Microsoft Outlook?
A. It is actually quite common to have your PST files damaged. Whether you move a file or it gets scrambled along the way, once this file is damaged, you won't be able to use Outlook until it is fixed. It is quite common for a virus to damage this file as well. Even if the virus doesn't infect your whole system, the attachment may cause problems in your PST file.
Q. What can I do to fix this error?
A. First, you will need to download the Microsoft Outlook Repair tool from Microsoft's website. In some cases, this may already be installed in newer versions of Outlook. Run this utility to begin checking the files that may be corrupted. You will need to be patient while it attempts to fix the issue. If the process is a success, you will be able to start using Outlook immediately. In rare cases however, it may be impossible to repair this file. You may need to contact Microsoft directly if this happens. There are also data recovery services that can assist you in restoring the file, but there will be a charge in most cases.
Q. How do I prevent this from happening again?
A. First, you will need to make a regular back up of all of your emails. This is a secondary issue, but one that needs to be addressed first. Try to get into the habit of backing up your email once a week, or more often if you have a large volume of it. Store these files on a disk or on a USB drive. Make sure you also save a copy of your PST file as well. This can be used to overwrite the damaged file in the event you have a problem. This is a much cheaper way to restore your file without having to pay a recovery service to do it. If you are making regular backups, then you shouldn't have to worry about losing too much information. Second, you should install an antivirus program on your computer to prevent outside forces from infecting your email. Although you can't make Outlook function properly, this does help reduce the risk of having this error occur. Unfortunately, no matter what kind of steps you take, you may still end up having to deal with this problem. By backing up your files on a regular basis, you can minimize the amount of damage that is done.
