How to Recover Deleted PST Files?

Outlook has become one of the most commonly used platforms for email in the professional world. Now, a lot of important, professional and corporate exchanges happen over email. However, sometimes, due to errors, these files can become corrupted. In such scenarios, it is important to understand what went wrong.

Once you know the cause, you must identify how to recover deleted PST files. Now that these PST files are essential, you must follow every step properly. You can't afford to lose these files if your crucial corporate data is in it. There are different methods that you can follow to recover the deleted PST files.

This blog explores all the potential ways you can recover the deleted PST files for your system.

Part 1: What Is a PST File?

A PST file refers to an Outlook data file containing all the email information in different formats like contacts, personal information, subfolders, and more. PST stands for Personal Storage Table. Having PST files plays an important role in freeing up space in your email storage, especially for your Outlook account.

One of the most important things to note about a PST file is that there's no guarantee about their size. Using PST files can play an important role in keeping your Outlook inbox folder organized. However, you must not opt for network storage for PST files as there's a high risk of the files getting damaged or lost. Therefore, you may have to look into deleted PST recovery.

Part 2: Common Reasons Why PST Files Get Deleted

When you're working with PST files, it is extremely crucial that you handle them properly. These files are very much vulnerable to being corrupted or deleted. Therefore, it is crucial that you look into those factors and deal with your PST files properly.

Some of the common reasons why the files can get deleted and you will have to follow PST file recovery are as follows:

• Power failure: When the PST file is being copied, sometimes the system may shut down abruptly due to power failure. This can lead to the file being completely useless. However, you will have to use recovery software for this PST file recovery issue.
• Storage failure: Storing the PST file in a safe space is important. You must not store your PST files in any external storage device when saving them. This increases the chances of data being overwritten. As a result, you won't be able to recover the file in the long run. Moreover, even if the data is recovered, it will be full of errors.

• Virus or malware: Viruses and malware can damage the entire file. It will completely destroy the PST file, making it useless. Recovery will be difficult if the file has been corrupted or damaged due to viruses or malware. Therefore, you will have to use a proper data recovery tool.
• Faulty device: If you're using the PST file in a faulty device, it is completely useless. This is mostly possible when the PST file is stored in the network. When the PST file is stored in a network, and a single network component is damaged, it will lead to complete PST file deletion.
• FTP failure: Every file has specific transfer protocols to be followed, which, when not followed properly, can have some risks. The protocol is responsible for managing the entire detail, and when that is not followed, it will lead to severe issues. PST is a very vulnerable file; protocol failure means system damage. As a result, some of the files may be deleted too.

Part 3: How to Recover Deleted PST Files?

Losing your PST files can often seem like the end of the world, considering how vital the data is in your Outlook account. Therefore, you must stay prepared or adopt methods to help you recover deleted PST files.

Some of the important methods for recovering deleted PST files are as follows:

Method 1: Recover PST File with Recoverit Data Recovery Software

Wondershare Recoverit Email Recovery Software is a reliable tool for recovering your deleted PST files. This software often has advanced programs which can help you in achieving proper results. Moreover, the software doesn't take enough time with the PST file recovery process.

You must download and save Wondershare Recoverit Email Recovery Software on your device (compatible with Mac and Windows). It is available for free download, which provides a lot of convenience and ease. So, once the software is downloaded, you may follow the steps given below to recover deleted PST files using the Recoverit Email Recovery Software:

Step 1: After the software is installed, Run it in your system.

Step 2: Under the Hard Drives and Locations option, choose the location where the PST file was stored.

Step 3: Select the location and begin the scanning. This is to ensure you're able to extract the PST files. The scanning will take a few minutes to be completed.

Step 4: As soon as the PST files are recovered, you will come across the option to preview the contents. Save the file in the preferred location, and the data will be recovered.

Method 2: Recover PST File from Recycle Bin

Recovering lost or deleted files on your Windows computer can be a difficult task. However, the good thing is that the deleted files will be stored in the Recycle Bin. Therefore, it is easier to access that account. Checking the Recycle Bin in the first stage itself will play an important role in helping you recover the deleted PST files.

You need to follow the steps given below to outlook PST recovery from your Windows Recycle Bin:

Step 1: From your Windows desktop, launch the Recycle Bin.

Step 2: Navigate through the Recycle Bin folder and check for the PST file that you want to recover.

Step 3: Right-click on the file and click on the Restore option.

The file will actually be restored to its original location. This will only play an important role in restoring the files. However, the only condition is that the PST files shouldn’t be permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin for an easy Outlook PST recovery.

Method 3: Recover the PST File from the Deleted Items Folder

The PST files are often available in the Deleted Items folder on your system. It is said to be one of the most reliable methods for recovering PST files via the Deleted Items folder. In this case, you will only be able to recover the files from the email only if they have been deleted and stored in the Deleted Items folder.

Following the steps below, you can recover deleted PST files from the Deleted Items folder:

Step 1: Either visit the Outlook email folder on your desktop or via the website.

Step 2: Visit the Home section of Outlook and visit the Deleted Items folder.

Step 3: Go through the Deleted Items folder and check all the items that you want to recover. Click on the Restore Selected Item option.

Step 4: Hit the Ok button. This will recover the deleted items on PST.

The process should come to a halt. You can visit the download folder on your PC to check if the PST files have been recovered. If not, you can move to other methods.

Method 4: Recover PST Files using the Previous Version feature

If you want to restore PST file, one of the easiest things to do is to visit the Previous Version option under File History Feature. The File History Feature is an in-built backup tool on your Windows computer. However, the File History Feature must be enabled in your system so that you can recover the files from their previous version.

Recovering PST files from the Previous version feature will only be applicable if the File History feature has been enabled before. This will also play an important role in preventing data loss.

You may follow the steps given below to restore PST file using the Previous Version feature:

Step 1: Visit the official folder where the now deleted/lost PST folder was stored originally.

Step 2: There will be a blank space available in the folder. Right-click and choose Properties from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: A new dialog box will appear. Click on and choose the Previous Versions tab. Go through all the version tabs across the folders so that you can click on the ones that you want to restore.

Step 4: Hit the Restore option to recover the folder. You can also click on the Restore to Save option from another location.

Step 5: If there is any specific folder that you want to restore, click on the Open button. Through this, you can select the Open in File History option.

Step 6: Go through all the files or the specific folder that you want to recover. Right-click on it and hit the Restore button.

Method 5: Recover PST Files from Outlook Backups

If you have the 2003 version of Outlook or a later version, you need to consider Outlook Backups. Outlook Backups comes with an AutoArchive feature. When any file is backed up in Outlook, it will be automatically stored in the Archive folder. However, for this to work, you must enable the AutoArchive feature so that you can recover the deleted files from the Outlook Backups option.

Below are the methods that you must follow to restore PST file from Outlook Backups:

Step 1: Open Outlook and visit the File section. Under that, choose the Open & Export option.

Step 2: Visit the Outlook Data File option.

Step 3: Check the PST files that you want to recover. Now, you can export those files and save them on your computer.

Method 6: Recover PST Files Using Backup & Restore

The Backup and Restore feature is extremely useful for recovering the data. It is extremely important that you go through all the details so that you can access these deleted files. The Backup and Restore feature must be enabled in your system so that you can restore the files. The Control Panel will provide you access to the Backup and Restore feature.

Given below are the steps that can help you recover deleted PST files using the Backup and Restore feature:

Step 1: In the Start menu, type Control Panel and open it from the available option.

Step 2: In your Windows 7, visit the Backup and Restore option. Then, navigate to Restore my files option.

Step 3: Browse for the files and select the PST files that need to be recovered.

Step 4: Hit the Next button. Choose a new location where you want to save the recovered PST files.

Part 4: Importing the Recovered PST Files in Outlook

Once the data has been recovered, you will want to import the PST files in MS Outlook. When you plan to overwrite, your computer will overwrite the existing PST files in the Outlook directory. This will make it easier for you to share the files.

Some of the key steps you will have to follow for importing for deleted PST recovery in Outlook are as follows:

Step 1: Open Outlook and visit the file tab available on the left side of the screen.

Step 2: From the Files tab, visit the Open & Export option. Here, you'll get the option to import the files.

Step 3: On the new screen, you will come across a wide range of options; click on the Import/Export section.

Step 4: A pop-up dialog box will appear. Choose Import from another file or program option.

Step 5: Now, you will have to choose the type of files you have to import. Click on the Outlook Data file option with the PST extension. Click on Next.

Step 6: The file containing the Outlook data will open. Select the one that you want to import and hit the Open option.

Step 7: Visit the storage location where your .PST file was located. Now, hit the Finish button.

The process will take a few minutes, and the file will be imported into your system. It is advisable to follow all the steps properly to prevent the files from being imported.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to recover deleted PST files, it is advisable that you follow a stepwise procedure. It is important that you try out different methods. Each of these methods is extremely useful and has its own benefits. However, if none of them work, you may use a data recovery tool. The data recovery tool comes with advanced features and algorithms that can be extremely beneficial in terms of recovering the data.