Outlook is the industry standard groupware tool. Organizations depend on it for email, calendaring, tasks, contacts... it is often the heart and soul of a business. However, the file that contains the precious data for Outlook is a fragile one, and when it breaks it can be a nightmare to repair. Fortunately, plenty of tools out there can help keep the integrity of that data file intact. Which ones are the most reliable and safe to use? Which ones will bring the file back from the dead? Let's take a look at five that can effectively tackle the task.
I just had an issue with Outlook 2016 (Mac version connected to Office 365) where emails and tasks were disappearing randomly. I used the support tool integrated in Outlook and someone from Microsoft responded almost immediately (amazing!). Repair Corrupted Outlook 2011 Data File. OLM data recovery software for Mac Outlook files is capable to repair and restore data from corrupted archive of Outlook 2011. It further manages the files in a suitable way.
Select Repair and Continue then follow the prompts. After the repair is finished, please try the sync again. Outlook 2007. Open Microsoft Office 2007. On the Help menu, click Office Diagnostics. Click Continue, and then Start Diagnostics. Outlook 2003. Open Control Panel (Start>Settings>Control Panel) Select Add or Remove Programs.
Note: Always back up your data file before using any tool on it.
1: Built-in cleaner: Scanpst
Outlook has a built-in PST cleaner called Scanpst. It's not the tool you will use when a PST file is really broken, but it's one of the most reliable for smaller issues. I have used this tool more than any other, mostly because I know it won't completely fubar a PST file. You generally wind up having to run Scanpst more than once to get the data file completely clean. I've used it up to five times on a PST file before it will come up with zero errors. But it works.
2: Kernel Recovery for PST
Kernel Recovery for PST is the cleaner I use when the PST file is really broken. This tool is powerful and offers a number of features not found in other cleaners. One of my favorite features (although not unique) is the ability to split an overly large PST file into smaller archives. That alone makes this tool worth having. Beyond that, its ability to repair a severely broken PST file is unrivaled. You can download a demo of this tool, but you won't be able to do any repairing with it. Kernel Recovery for PST costs $49.00 (home use), $199.00 (corporate license), and $299.00 (technician license). It's worth the cost of entry.
3: Outlook PST Repair and Recovery Software
Outlook PST Repair and Recovery Software from Disk Doctors can quickly and safely recover the usual suspects from a damaged Outlook ST file: messages, folders, appointments, meeting requests, contacts, tasks, task requests, journals, and notes. This tool also supports the recovery of password-protected PST files, as well as compressed encryption and high encryption PST files. The one downfall of DD PST Repair is that it supports only Outlook 2000, 2002/XP, 2003, and 2007. A single user license for DD PST Repair costs $149.00.
4: Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair
Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair is an excellent tool that can repair even the most severely broken PST file. With it, you can repair corrupt PST files (Outlook 2000, 2003, 2007, and 2010) to recover emails, calendars, contacts, journals, and notes. It will also restore formatting from RTF and HTML messages, as well as repair damage from application malfunction, improper file sharing on LAN/WAN, operating system corruption, disrupted PST compaction, exceeded 2GB file size, PST file header corruption, and malicious software. Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair costs $149.00 for a single license.
5: OutlookFIX Professional
OutlookFIX Professional is unique in that it will attempt to recover deleted information from the PST file. It does the usual cleanup (mail, attachments, calendar, tasks, contacts, journal, etc.) and works on most versions of Outlook (up to 2010). Of all the tools you will use, OutlookFix might well be the quickest and most user-friendly. It's not quite as powerful as Stellar or Kernel PST, but it's just as reliable. This is another PST repair tool that allows you to split the PST into multiple fragments. That means that any PST file over 2 GB can be reduced in size and cleaned up so the data can once again be used. OutlookFIX costs $179.00 for a single license.
Be ready
There are all sorts of reasons why an Outlook PST file can become corrupt. And when it happens, work stops. If you work within any size business that depends upon Outlook, chances are you will need the services of a PST repair tool. Don't get caught unaware. Have one on hand before the need arises.
Other options?
Do you have a favorite PST repair tool to add to this list? Share your recommendations with fellow TechRepublic members.
Last updated on August 6th, 2019 at 01:57 am
Due to the popularity of Outlook, most of the users ask to use Outlook on Mac devices thus Microsoft released Outlook for Mac. Users can share calendars, notes, send/ receive mails on Outlook for Mac same as MS Outlook. To update the files in OST and PST outlook perform synchronization but some users complain of Outlook for Mac error ‘Microsoft Sync Services has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience’. To fix this error it is advised to clear Outlook Mac cache.
The main causes of Outlook Mac sync problem with Mac are
- Synchronizations preferences settings are not properly configured
- Outlook for Mac sync cache has not been cleared
These could be the two reasons causing error, solving these problems will fix the Outlook for Mac Sync Error
Methods to Solve ‘Outlook for Mac Sync’ Issue
Follow the below given steps to solve Outlook 2016 Mac Sync problem
Outlook Repair Tool Scanpst.exe
Disable Sync Services Preferences
- Start Outlook in your system (if it opens)
- Click on Preferences in the Outlook menu
- Under the Other options select Sync Services
- Uncheck all the boxes and close Outlook
- Restart Outlook and check the error is solved or not
This will disable the sync services, if the error is resolved it means the sync preferences are corrupted and needs to be reset. To reset Outlook for Mac sync problems check the below given steps
Force Quit Outlook
- Click on the Apple menu
- A dialog box with all the active/ running applications will appear
- Select all the applications except Finder
- Now click on the ‘Force Quit’ button
- Before quitting any application, back up all items, Outlook identities for later use
Take Backup of Outlook Identities
- Click on Go menu and then Home
- Select Documents and open Microsoft User Data
- Press the control key, and then click Office 2011 identities
- Select Copy ‘Office 2011 Identities’ and close all windows
- Go to desktop, press the control key and then click on Paste
How to Reset Microsoft Sync Services in Outlook for Mac
- Click on Go menu and hold the OPTION Key to Open Library
- Go to Preferences and delete com.microsoft.Outlook.SyncServicesPreferences.plist, com.microsoft.Outlook.SyncServices.plist, OfficeSync Prefs
- Go to Application Support, then Microsoft and Office 2011
- Move OfficeSync Prefs to the trash folder
- Now restart the system and open Outlook
- Go to Preferences>> Other and select Sync Services
- Now check mark all the items to sync
- Close Outlook and Open again
Clear Outlook for Mac Sync Services Cache
- First Disable Sync services and close all applications
- On the Go Menu click on Applications>> Utilities and then open Activity Monitor
- Type Syncto in Filter box
- Quit all the processes found in list
- When the task gets completes close Activity Monitor
- Go to Home and then click /Library/Application Support/,
Outlook Repair Tool For Office 365
- Open SyncServices and move all the files to trash
- Restart all applications and turn on sync services
Outlook Repair Tool For 2010
This will remove the Outlook for Mac Sync Error. You can try any of the above methods as per the system and error encountered. But always back up files before starting any process. These manual steps will remove the Microsoft Sync problem in Outlook for Mac.