PST Troubleshooting
Typical PST Opening Challenges
Microsoft Outlook Express Not Present
You attempt to load your PST file and get an error such as "%%os%% Can't Open The PST File Extension". When this happens, it is commonly due to Microsoft Outlook Express missing in %%os%%. The typical path of opening your PST with a double-click won't work because %%os%% cannot make the program connection.
Tip: If you know of another program that can open your PST file, you can try opening it by selecting the application from the programs listed.
Outdated Microsoft Outlook Express
Sometimes your installed version of Microsoft Outlook Express won't support your Outlook Personal Information Store File file. If you've got the wrong version of Microsoft Outlook Express installed, you'll need to install the correct version. Most of the time your Outlook Personal Information Store File file was created by a newer Microsoft Outlook Express than what you have installed.
Tip: If you right-click on your PST file, then select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), you can obtain hints about what version you need.
Regardless, most of the PST file opening problems relate to not having the right version of Microsoft Outlook Express installed.
More Causes of Problems Opening PSTs
Although you might already have Microsoft Outlook Express or another PST-associated software installed on your computer, you can still encounter problems opening Outlook Personal Information Store File files. If you are still having problems opening PST files, there may be other issues that are preventing you from opening these files. Problems unrelated to software:
- File references in the Windows Registry for PST are wrong
- Corruption of the PST file description inside the Registry
- Corrupt install of Microsoft Outlook Express or other PST-related program
- File corruption affecting your PST file
- The PST is infected with a virus
- Device drivers of the hardware associated with your PST file are corrupt or out-of-date
- Insufficient system resources to successfully open Outlook Personal Information Store File files
Quiz: Which of the following is not a MIME type?
That's Correct!
Spreadsheet MIME types do not begin with the "spreadsheet/" prefix, but instead start with the "application/" prefix. For example, an OpenDocument Spreadsheet: "application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet".
Close, but not quite...
Spreadsheet MIME types do not begin with the "spreadsheet/" prefix, but instead start with the "application/" prefix. For example, an OpenDocument Spreadsheet: "application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet".