How to Resolve the Exported PST File Empty Issue?

Outlook PST Repair /February 23, 2025

Imagine a situation where you find the folders of the exported Outlook PST file empty or the entire Outlook PST file empty. This blog discusses the solution how to resolve this issue. Microsoft Outlook users must export their mailbox items to PST files for archiving, creating mailbox data backup or migrating Outlook mail items to other email platforms. While accessing the exported Outlook PST file, users sometimes find some folders or entire PST files empty, even though the Outlook PST file size indicates that it contains data. A few reasons for the exported PST file empty issue are –faulty view settings, corrupted Outlook PST file, etc.

Reasons for corruption of Outlook PST files

  • Oversized Outlook PST file
  • Corrupt Outlook profile
  • Email Server issues
  • Outlook is not closed properly
  • Improper Outlook installation
  • PST file stored on a network location or in cloud storage (OneDrive, DropBox)

Manual methods to resolve Exported PST file empty issue

SCANPST.exe

SCANPST.exe is an inbuilt utility in Outlook, also known as the Inbox Repair tool, that repairs corrupt, damaged, or inaccessible Outlook PST files.

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Go to theSCANPST.exe file on your system (it is, by default, located in the Outlook installation directory) and double-click to open it.
  3. ClickBrowse to select the PST file that needs to be repaired.
  4. ClickStart to initiate the scan. SCANPST.exe scans and detects issues in the selected PST file. Depending on the size of the PST file and the level of corruption, it might take some time.
  5. Once scanning is completed, SCANPST.exe displays the number of errors found in the PST file.
  6. Ensure that the scanned files are backed up before repairing is selected.
  7. Click Repair.
  8. After the Outlook PST file repair process is completed, launch Outlook.

Limitation with SCANPST.exe

SCANPST.exe freezes during the scan or even fails to repair a corrupted Outlook PST file if it is large, severely corrupted, or encrypted.

Check and Change View Settings

If the Outlook View Settings are not configured properly, users may encounter an issue with exported Outlook PST file folders being empty. Check the Outlook View Settings and modify them if needed.

  1. Launch Outlook ->, click the Viewtab-> and click Change View.
  2. From the drop-down, select Compact->select Apply Current View to Other Mail Folders.
  3. Restart Outlook.

Use MFCMAPI to change Folder properties

Exported Outlook PST file folders may appear empty if the folder properties are modified or not configured correctly. Microsoft offers MFCMAPI, a diagnostic utility for changing folder properties and resolving this issue.

  1. Download, install and launch MFCMAPI.
  2. Click Session-> select Logon.
  3. Select the desired Outlook profile  click OK.
  4. From the list, double-click the profile you need to fix.
  5. Under IPM_Subtree, find the affected folder and select it.
  6. Look for PR_CONTAINER_CLASS and double-click on it to open Property Editor.
  7. In Property Editor, modify IPF.Imap to IPF.Note->click OK.
  8. Ensure to repeat all the steps described above for each affected folder.
  9. Close the window -> click Logoff under Sessions on the main screen.
  10. Restart Outlook.

Limitation withMFCMAPI

The MFCMAPI method works only if you have an active Outlook account. It doesn’t work without an archived or exported Outlook PST file.

When to use Goldytools Outlook PST Repair tool?

Goldytools Outlook PST Repair tool is considered the ideal solution when:

  • Scanpst.exe (an inbuilt Inbox Repair utility) fails to resolve large-sized or severely corrupted PST files.
  • Need to fix Outlook data file errors – 0x80040116, 0x80040119, 0x80040600, ‘Outlook not implemented’, ‘PST is not a personal folders file’, etc.

Why choose Goldytools Outlook PST Repair tool?

Goldytools Outlook PST Repair tool offers distinguishing features that make it stand out from others available for repairing Outlook PST files.

  • Repairs even password-protected, encrypted, archived Outlook PST files.
  • After repairing the damaged Outlook PST file, the tool allows saving the recovered PST file data in supported file formats: EML, MSG, EMLX, and MBOX.
  • Supports repairing even large-sized Outlook PST files.

How Goldytools Outlook PST Repair tool Works?

Repairing a damaged Outlook PST file using the Goldytools Outlook PST Repair tool is a simple 5-step process.

  • Step 1: Download, install, and launch the Goldytools Outlook PST Repair tool.
  • Step 2: Browse the damaged Outlook PST file for scanning.
  • Step 3: The tool displays a preview of all scanned mailbox items.
  • Step 4: Select the destination path and target format to save the repaired Outlook PST file.
  • Step 5: Save the repaired Outlook PST file.

Eminent Features of Goldytools Outlook PST Repair tool

  • Recovers accidentally or permanently deleted mailbox items to their original folder.
  • Displays preview of the repaired Outlook PST file after scanning.
  • Maintains the original hierarchy and integrity of Outlook mailbox items.
  • Supports repairing selected PST folders.
  • It offers a much easier-to-use GUI, so no technical expertise is needed to use the tool.

Conclusion

This blog discusses the possible reasons for the exported PST file empty issue and the manual methods to resolve this issue. However, since manual methods have some limitations, we suggest our users use a third-party professional Goldytools Outlook PST Repair tool.

outlook-pst-repair