Outlook is a widely used email client for managing emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, and other important mailbox information. The data is stored in Outlook Data files, including PST files. When a PST file becomes corrupted or inaccessible, users may encounter problems such as Outlook crashes, error messages, missing mailbox data, or difficulty opening the affected file. To address this issue, Stellar provides two different approaches for dealing with corrupted PST files: Stellar Online PST Repair and Stellar Repair for Outlook.
Stellar Online PST Repair is a browser-based service for repairing damaged or corrupted Outlook PST files. The online service has different limits depending on the plan. The Free plan allows one PST file of up to 500 MB to be repaired at no cost. For larger PST files, the Premium online service supports files of up to 5 GB per file. This makes the online version more suitable for users who have a relatively small PST file or who want to test the service before paying for a larger repair.
The online tool focuses on retrieving different types of Outlook content from damaged PST files. Supported data includes emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes, journal entries, and any other compatible mailbox components. Before downloading the repaired PST, the service lets users see the recovered folder tree alongside item totals. This step allows users to confirm that their key mailbox data is actually there prior to pulling down the file.
The online workflow is relatively straightforward. Users start by opening the Online PST Repair Service and choosing the PST repair feature. They then select the damaged PST file from their computer and upload it to the service. Stellar runs the file through its cloud setup as soon as the PST finishes uploading. The repair process runs on automation without any human involvement.
Stellar Repair for Outlook is the desktop alternative for repairing corrupted Outlook PST files. Unlike the browser service, it is installed locally on a Windows computer and performs the repair process on the user's system. The current desktop product supports PST files without a stated file-size limit, making it suitable for large PST files that exceed the online service's 5 GB limit. Stellar specifically states that the software can handle PST files of 50 GB or more.
The desktop product supports multiple options for repairing and exporting data, such as fixing damaged PST files, retrieving email messages alongside their attachments, and restoring address book contacts as well as calendar items. The tool treats the original PST as read-only, so it doesn't write directly to the source file during repair. Users can export restored data into different formats, based on which edition they own, and send recovered PST contents straight to Live Exchange or Microsoft 365, where the edition allows it.
In conclusion, Stellar offers two effective solutions for repairing corrupted Outlook PST files: Stellar Online PST Repair and Stellar Repair for Outlook. While the online service is suitable for users with small PST files, the desktop product is more suitable for large PST files. Both products have their advantages and disadvantages, and users can choose the one that best fits their needs.
Key points
- Stellar offers two approaches for repairing corrupted Outlook PST files: Stellar Online PST Repair and Stellar Repair for Outlook.
- The online service has file-size limits, while the desktop product supports PST files without a stated file-size limit.
- The desktop product supports multiple options for repairing and exporting data from corrupted PST files.
