Member Avatar for Antonbro

We recently enabled folder redirection for a few staff members. After their PST file is migrated to the network share, Outlook can't read it. When we run the Outlook Inbox Repair Tool. We get this error: This data file appears to have been created using a newer version of Microsoft Outlook that this Inbox Repair Tool does not support.

The Office version has not changed on these machines - they are running Office 2013. SCANPST is being ran from these machines as well.

Does anyone have a solution?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Cangelin

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The situation describes (PST moved by folder redirection to a network share and ScanPST reporting "created using a newer version") points to two common, separate issues: the repair tool being older than the PST file format, and moving active PSTs to network locations. is right to check updates, and 's comment about the old 2GB/ANSI limit is also relevant for legacy PSTs — both are useful clues.

Practical steps that have solved this exact symptom for others:

  • Make a full binary copy of the PST first and work only on the copy. Never repair the only available copy.
  • Copy the PST to a local drive (do not run repairs over a network share) and confirm Outlook is fully closed (no outlook.exe processes).
  • Run the Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST.exe) that matches the Outlook build that created the file. For Office 2013 that typically lives under the Office15 program folder (Program Files or Program Files (x86)); confirm the Outlook build from File → Office Account → About Outlook. If ScanPST still complains, install the latest Office updates or run ScanPST from a machine with a newer Office build and use that binary against the local copy.
  • If ScanPST runs but only partially repairs, create a new empty PST in Outlook and try Import/Export → Import from an Outlook Data File (.pst) to pull recovered items into a fresh store.

If those fail, restoring a known-good backup is the safest option. Third-party recovery tools can help as a last resort; evaluate them on a copy only, prefer vendors that show a recoverable preview, and avoid tools that overwrite the original file. Finally, prevent recurrence by excluding Outlook data files from folder redirection or keeping PSTs on local drives (or by moving users to mailbox/archiving solutions), since redirected/networked PSTs frequently cause corruption. References in thread from , , and point at third‑party options — use them cautiously and only after the safe steps above.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for Popc0rn

Have you applied MS updates? This sounds to me to be the only reason for this complaint if all the versions of Outlook are the same, etc.

Member Avatar for alexsaymond

Outlook Inbox Repair Tool can repair PST file but you need to use an advanced and certified third party tool. Kernel for Outlook PST Recovery Software is perfect tool for you. Using this tool you can also recover permanent deleted Outlook PST file or email.

commented: Don't recommend any particular software here. It might smell like spam. +0
Member Avatar for ArcadeB

Sometimes Inbox Repair Tool cannot be repair Outlook PST files, in this situation you can use any third-party Outlook PST File Repair software. So many software companies are available in the market which can provide best tool of PST file Recovery you can use any one.

Member Avatar for poonamr

If Inbox repair tool not succeed to repair the corrupted PST files and you are still unable to access the PST files. Then, you can try to open the file by converting into other formats or try any third party PST file recovery tool. You can use SysInfoTools PST Recovery Tool to repair your corrupted PST files.

Member Avatar for Cangelin

Another thing to keep in mind is that the PST files for Microsoft Exchange have a tendency to become corrupt when they get too large (around 2 gigabytes). If you keep a lot of emails, you may consider creating a new PST for each year or whatever works best for you.

commented: Nice suggestion +0
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