Make two copies of the recovered Outlook Data File (PST). Keep one untouched and place the working copy on a local drive. Scan the working copy with your security software, clear read-only status if needed, then open classic Outlook and choose File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File. Open the working copy and inspect its folders and items before importing anything.
Preserve the original recovered PST
Do not make the only recovered file your active Outlook data file. Create at least two copies:
Compare the copied file sizes with the recovered original before continuing. If the copy operation reports an error, stop and make sure the source and destination storage devices are healthy.
Move the working copy to a local drive
Outlook should open the PST from a reliable local folder. Avoid using an active PST directly from:
- A network share
- A cloud-sync folder
- A USB flash drive
- A recovery-program output folder still being scanned
- A read-only backup location
- The same drive from which deleted data was recovered
Create a folder such as Documents\Recovered Outlook Data and place only the working copy there. Keep enough free space for Outlook to use the file normally.
Check the file before opening it
- Right-click the PST and choose Properties.
- Confirm that its size matches the recovered source copy.
- Clear Read-only if it is selected.
- Use Unblock if Windows shows that option for a file from another computer.
- Scan the file with trusted security software.
- Confirm that no other Outlook process has the file open.
Security scanning checks content written to the disk, but it does not repair a damaged PST. If Windows cannot read the file consistently, make another working copy from the preserved original or check the destination drive.
Opening keeps the recovered PST as a separate folder tree. Importing immediately mixes its items with another mailbox and may create duplicates, making the recovery result harder to verify.
Open the recovered PST in classic Outlook
Start classic Outlook
Wait until Outlook has finished opening the normal mailbox. If it is already unstable or reporting profile errors, resolve those problems before attaching recovered data.
Choose Open Outlook Data File
Go to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File. Browse to the local working copy and choose Open.
Expand the recovered folder tree
The PST appears as another top-level data file in the folder pane. Expand it and open its folders individually. Outlook search may need the scope changed to All Outlook Items or All Mailboxes before it includes the recovered PST.
Verify the recovered mailbox
Do not judge the recovery from the Inbox alone. Check representative items throughout the data file:
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Folders | Parent folders, nested subfolders, names, and item counts |
| Messages | Old and recent dates, body text, sender, recipients, and attachments |
| Contacts | Names, email addresses, phone numbers, companies, and notes |
| Calendar | Appointments, recurring meetings, attendees, reminders, and attachments |
| Tasks and notes | Dates, status, categories, reminder settings, and text |
Keep a short checklist of important folders and dates. If you recovered several PST candidates, this makes it easier to compare which file contains the most complete mailbox.
If the recovered PST does not open
Different errors need different responses:
- Password prompt: recover or enter the PST password.
- Access denied: check local location, read-only status, and Windows permissions.
- Data-file corruption: keep the recovered original untouched and scan a working copy with Amrev Email Recovery.
- Outlook freezes: close Outlook, restart Windows, and test another copy of the PST.
- Incomplete folders: compare other recovered PST candidates or run Intensive Scan against a copy.
Recover mailbox data from a working copy
Scan a copy of the recovered PST and inspect available folders and Outlook items.
Close the recovered PST without deleting it
When verification is complete, right-click the top-level name of the recovered data file in Outlook and choose Close. This removes it from the folder pane but does not delete the PST from Windows.
Do not delete the file until its contents have been imported or backed up and the destination mailbox has been checked. If you want to merge the verified data, follow the separate import guide.
Frequently asked questions
Should I import a recovered PST immediately?+
No. Open it as a separate data file first and verify its folders and items. Import only after the result is understood.
Does opening a PST change the file?+
Outlook can write to an opened PST during normal use. That is why you should open a working copy and preserve one untouched recovery copy.
Can I open a PST from a USB drive?+
Copy it to a reliable local drive first. Keep the USB copy as a backup rather than using it as the active Outlook data file.
Will closing the PST delete it?+
No. Closing removes the data file from Outlook’s folder pane; the PST remains in its Windows folder.
What if Outlook says the recovered PST is corrupt?+
Keep the recovered original unchanged. Use a working copy for ScanPST or Amrev Email Recovery and save any rebuilt PST to another location.