You double-click your Outlook data file and get a message that it could not be accessed, or a data error about a cyclic redundancy check. The mail you need is inside that file and Outlook won't open it. This is the situation Recovery Outlook is built for: it reads a damaged PST file and pulls the items back out.
Quick facts
- Vendor: PST File Recovery
- Handles: ANSI and Unicode PST files, including password-protected ones
- Output formats: PST, MSG and EML, plus export to Office 365
- Trial: free demo that previews the scanned data and restores 25 items per folder
- Outlook needed: no, Outlook does not have to be installed
Key features
Get back permanently deleted emails, contacts, tasks and calendars
An Advanced scan mode looks for items that were hard deleted from the file. A Normal mode handles corrupted data that was not deleted.
Check what was found before you commit
You get a free preview of the scanned PST contents, including attachments, before you recover anything.
Save recovered data as PST, MSG or EML
Pick the format you need. The folder hierarchy, formatting and metadata stay as they were.
Split big PST files and filter by date
A PST split option lets you set a size limit per output file. Date filters let you restore only a chosen time period. You can also recover selected items rather than the whole file.
Keep a CSV report of what was exported
After recovery you get a CSV summary showing the number of items exported.
Who it's for
Use it if you have a single damaged PST, an oversized one that Outlook chokes on, or an archive on a drive with bad sectors. The vendor states there is no file size limit. It also suits you if you only need one period of mail back, thanks to the date filter.
Pros and cons
- Pro: works without Outlook installed.
- Pro: preview before recovery, and selective recovery.
- Pro: several output formats, including Office 365 export.
- Con: the demo restores only 25 items per folder and does not offer PST splitting.
- Con: it repairs PST files and is not a general drive recovery tool. For a wiped drive the vendor points to a separate hard drive recovery product.
FAQs
Do I need Outlook installed?
No. You can open the PST contents without it.
Is there a file size limit?
The vendor says damaged PST files of any size can be recovered.
Can I recover only some items?
Yes. You can select what you want and apply date filters.
Will it fix the cyclic redundancy check error?
The vendor says it can help, since this error appears when a PST file is corrupted.
Can I try it first?
Yes. The demo lets you preview scanned data and restore 25 items per folder.