How to Resolve “The File Is Not An Outlook Data File” Error?
- August 28, 2021 at 2:20 pm
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Most of the time while adding/importing data files (PST or OST ) in Outlook User faces an error like- “The File Is Not An Outlook Data File” or “The File You Choose is not an outlook data files“. There can be various reasons behind this Outlook error. If you are also a user who is seeing this error when opening Outlook, you can get a solution by reading this article. Here we are going to cover the topic “How to Resolve “The File Is Not An Outlook Data File” Error?“. Read the complete article to easily get back access to your Outlook profile.
What Is An Outlook Data File?
Outlook creates two different file formats- PST and OST for saving using users’ mailbox locally in the user machine. These files work as a copy of sever side database in the user machine. It helps users to access their important data items in Outlook while the user has no connection with the server because of a slow internet connection or any other problem. Also, these files work to create a backup of the user’s important data. For future users can archive their mailbox folder in Outlook and save them as data files like- PST and OST.
Also Read:- How To Repair Outlook PST file Without ScanPST.exe Tool?
Why does the Error “The File Is Not An Outlook Data File“ Error Occurs?
In various cases, Outlook encounters this error like:-
Reason for OST file Corruption:- Mostly error comes when Outlook is unable to connect with Server. In this situation, Outlook stops working with OST files and the file becomes orphaned or inaccessible. When a user tries to Import these OST files again in Outlook user faces errors like- “The File Is Not An Outlook Data File“.
Reason For PST Corruption:- In the case of the PST file, the main reason is the corruption problem that can be caused because of any reason like:-
- Closing Outlook Incorrectly:- Accidential or incorrect termination of Outlook can be a reason for Outlook data file corruption.
- Hardware or Software failure:- Bad sectors in Hard drive, Un-expected shutdown problem, Virus attack, unsupported add-ons installtion, and other are all the resons for PST/OST file corruption.
- Oversized PST file:- Size increasing problem can create multiple problems in Outlook. When reaching the size limit of 50GB in PST/OST files Outlook becomes slower and corruption error can easily enter in it.
How to Resolve “The File Is Not An Outlook Data File” Error?
The below-mentioned are the best techniques that users can try to easy repair Outlook data files for resolving error:-
Method 1:- Use Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe)
For troubleshooting, minor corruption Outlook comes with an inbuilt free utility which is known as Inbox Repair Tool or ScanPST.exe. When a corruption error enters in Outlook user must try this tool.
Follow the given steps to repair PST files with ScanPST.exe:-
- Open Windows Explorer and visit to the location “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office19” (For Outlook 2019).
- Search Scanpst.exe tool and launch it.
- Cick on Browse button to add corrupt Outlook PST or OST file and hit on Start button to begin scanning process.
- After that, click on Repair button and start the Outlook data file repairing process.
- Now, when get the “Repair Complete” message click on OK to close the scan PST tool.
Limitations of ScanPST.exe (Inbox Repair Tool)
ScanPST tool is a free utility that provides the results for repairing Outlook data files but it is not perfect for every user and has some limitations:-
- Only works with small sized PST/OST files and Outlook data files larger than 2GB are not supported for repairing or may create problem.
- In same cases user has to perform repairing process multiple times with this tool for single a file, it takes a very long time and makes the repairing process difficult.
- Most of the time ScanPST tool freezes or stops responding while repairing PST files.
Because of these restrictions and limitations of ScanPST this tool is not a recommended solution by experts. Also, it doesn’t provide the Expected results to users. So, users should go with its best alternative like- PST Converter Tool.
Method 2:- Automated PST Recovery/Converter Software by Passfixer
Firstly every user tries to fix corruption error from Outlook PST file but is unable to solve their problem. If you are also one of the users who are unable to use ScanPST or fixing outlook corruption errors, Our recommendation is to use this Passfixer OST PST Converter/Recovery software. With this instant application, a user can any sized OST or PST file to securely resolve errors like- “The File Is Not An Outlook Data File”.
A user can easily repair corrupt or inaccessible Outlook data files (PST/OST) with this software with simple steps. Users can Recover all lost emails, contacts, calendars, and other items from a corrupt/inaccessible PST file and save them to a new healthy PST file easily.
Steps to Repair Outlook PST file with PassFixer PST Recovery Tool:-
- Download Passfixer PST Converter Software to your machine.
- Laucnh it and choose MS Outlook PST file option and click on Add single PST or Add Multiple PST file option to make seletion of Outlook data files then hit on Next.
- Start the scanning process to repair PST/OST file and load all mailbox folder and elements.
- Choose required folders from PST file and hit the Convert button.
- Select the file format in which you want to save the recovered items and choose the location to save the resulted files.
- Finally click on Convert to start the conversion process.
Conclusion
Many of users face the problem in Outlook like- “The File is not an Outlook Data File”. Mostly this error enters in outlook when a user tries to import or open orphaned Outlook data files in it. The Inbuilt utility of Outlook ScanPST has the ability to resolve minor Outlook corruption errors but it has some limitations. Also, it is very difficult to repair a heavy-sized PST file with scanpst tool.
After seeing this the recommendation is to make use of Automated Outlook Converter Software rather that using ScanPST(Inbox Repair Tool). Users can try the demo version which will allow repairing/restore PST file with up to 25 items from each folder of PST without any charges.