Summary: You may encounter the Outlook error “The path specified for the PST file is not valid” when the PST file is corrupt or deleted from the default location but the Outlook is still linked with the deleted .pst file. In this post, we’ve outlined some easy ways with stepwise instructions to troubleshoot and fix this Outlook error. We’ve also mentioned an advanced PST recovery tool that can help repair your corrupt PST file in a few easy steps.
Microsoft Outlook, when configured with a POP email account, stores all the mailbox items and settings for the user profile in a Personal Storage Table or PST file on your system. When there is an issue with the PST file or if the file is deleted and not found at the default location, users may encounter an error “The path specified for the PST file is not valid”, as soon as the Outlook application is launched.
This prevents you from accessing the emails or sending/receiving new messages. This can hamper the work that can have severe consequences on your business.
Below we have discussed the reasons that may lead to “The path specified for the PST file is not valid” error in Outlook and the solutions to resolve it.
Reasons for “The Path Specified for the PST file is not valid” Error
This error occurs if the PST file doesn’t exist at the specified location or is moved to a different location. It may also occur if the associated PST file is corrupt or deleted.
By default, Outlook Data File is located at the following locations, based on the version of Outlook you are using:
| Outlook Version | PST File Location |
| Outlook 2007 | drive:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook |
| Outlook 2010 | drive:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook |
| Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2013 | drive:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook |
You can also find the location of the PST file by following these steps:
- Go to Control Panel > Mail (Outlook) > Data Files.
- Select the PST file and click Open File Location.
Note: You can also note the path of the PST file and reach the folder manually.
If you can’t find the PST file at the location configured in Outlook, it means the file is either moved to another location or deleted from its original location. If you have moved the file intentionally to another location, restore it to its original location and restart Outlook. This may fix the “Output file not valid” issue. If you can’t locate the file, you can restore it from a backup (if you have it).
Use ScanPST to Repair PST File
If you find the PST file at the original location, the file could be damaged or corrupt. In such a case, you need to repair the file to resolve the corruption issues. For this, you can use MS Outlook’s inbuilt repair utility – Inbox Repair Tool or ScanPST.
To repair the PST file by using ScanPST, follow these steps:
Step 1: Find ScanPST.exe on your system
Depending on the Windows and Outlook version you are using, ScanPST.exe can be found at the following locations:
Outlook 2016
- 32-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\
- 64-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\
Outlook 2013
- 32-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\
- 64-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\
Outlook 2010
- 32-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\
- 64-bit Outlook: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\
Outlook 2007
- 32-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\
- 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\
Step 2: Run ScanPST.exe
Once you located the Scanpst.exe, run the utility by double-clicking it and then follow these steps:
- Click Browse and select the PST file you want to repair.
- Click Start to scan the PST file.
- If the tool finds errors in the file, click Make backup of scanned file before repairing and then click Repair to initiate the repair process.
After Scanpst.exe has successfully repaired the PST file, re-launch Outlook to see if the ‘PST file is not valid’ error is fixed. However, sometimes, ScanPST fails to repair severely corrupted or large-sized PST file. In such a case, you can use an advanced Outlook PST file recovery software, such as Stellar Repair for Outlook to repair the PST file.
Why Stellar Repair for Outlook?
Stellar Repair for Outlook is an enterprise-grade software that can repair severely corrupt and large-sized PST files. It can recover all mailbox items such as emails, attachments, contacts, notes, etc., with 100% accuracy and safety.
Following are some reasons why Stellar Repair for Outlook is the perfect PST repair tool:
- Offers PST recovery for Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and older versions
- Exports recovered PST files directly to Office 365 (Technician Edition)
- Repairs password-protected and severely corrupted PST files
Conclusion
You may encounter the Outlook error “The path specified for the PST file is not valid” when the PST file is moved from its original location or is corrupt/damaged. Usually, you can resolve this problem by locating the PST file and moving it back to its original location. However, if the PST file is corrupt, you can use ScanPST to fix minor corruption issues. If this doesn’t work, you can use a dedicated PST repair software such as Stellar Repair for Outlook that can repair severely corrupted PST files of any size.
