Scanpst.exe is really a utility accustomed to correct MS Outlook PST files. Scanpst can partially fix internal PST file database issues in most cases you will have to get one of these alternative party Scanpst.exe tool.
It's possible to split PST mailboxes into different files located locally or on the network driver. However , although a network driver may appear being a local drive (drive mapping) network drive not offers the same performance being a local one (i.e. C drive). Therefore Outlook may face problems to get hold of the PST file located on the network server which often leads eventually to corrupt PST file which require a repair with scanpst.exe
If this kind of failure happens, it's possible to restore your PST file mailbox first with backup software that's daily backup within your network storage. However, because the mailbox data may contain some crucial business data you may don't want to lose a single day of labor.
If restoring the mailbox data positioned in your inaccessible PST file is essential, you can look at and employ the Scanpst.exe utility. Scanpst.exe location is in your Outlook installation folder (You may find it under the default installation folder i.e. c:\program files). If you can't think it is the very best is merely to perform the search program and find the scanpst.exe directly.
Typical PST errors:
"The file F:\archive.pst isn't a personal folders file."
(you can replace the letter F with your own network drive letter).
Cause for the PST error:
The aforementioned error indicates that Outlook cannot read the PST database since it is corrupt. The file doesn't have valid database structure. Another possible cause is you function not need network connection to the PST file. If so it is very simple to solve it and just call your network administrator to repair it.
Please take into account that Outlook PST database file had not been built to use slow connections including network drives. In many cases the connection is slowing during saving data or file closing which in many times cause data lose and PST file corruption.
Can Scanpst.exe solve it?
Scanpst.exe is an extremely limited solution. Most of the time it fails but as it is a free tool you better run it first but remember, first rule before starting a recovery process is definitely backup. You would not prefer to damage the file even more compared to current state of it. So please create a copy of one's PST file and let scanpst.exe try to fix the copy only.