How to Resolve Empty Folders in Exported Outlook PST Files
When Outlook users export their data to a PST file, they sometimes encounter a frustrating issue: the Exported PST File Empty Issue, or the entire PST file seems to be blank. This issue can stem from various causes, including misconfigurations, corrupted files, or glitches during the export process. In this blog post, we will explore some common solutions to resolve this issue and also discuss an advanced tool that can help if corruption is the culprit.
Common Causes of an Empty Exported PST File
Several factors can contribute to the exported PST file being empty. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Export Process Errors: Sometimes, the folders may appear empty because of a view setting issue in Outlook. It’s possible that certain filters or view settings hide the contents of the folder.
- Corruption in PST File: PST files can get corrupted due to abrupt Outlook shutdowns, oversized files, or file system issues. This could lead to missing data or folders appearing empty.
- View Settings: Sometimes, the folders may appear empty because of a view setting issue in Outlook. This can be easily fixed by changing the view settings.
- Synchronization Issues: If the exported PST file is from an IMAP or Exchange account, synchronization issues could result in missing emails, folders, or attachments. Data may not have fully synced at the time of export.
Solutions to Resolve the ‘Exported PST File Empty’ Issue
If you find that your exported PST file is showing empty folders or appears to be entirely blank, try these solutions to resolve the issue:
Check and Adjust Folder View Settings:
If the folders are showing as empty, it could be due to a specific view setting or filter that hides the content. To resolve this:
- Open MS Outlook and go to the folder that appears empty.
- Go to View > Change View and select Compact or Messages.
- Alternatively, click on View Settings > Reset View to ensure that no filters are hiding the items in the folder.
Run the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST):
If you suspect that the PST file is corrupted, use Outlook’s built-in Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) to fix the corruption. Here’s how to do it:
- Close Outlook.
- Search for scanpst.exe on your computer (it’s located in the Outlook installation folder).
- Run scanpst.exe, browse to select your PST file, and click Start.
- If the tool finds any errors, it will offer to repair them. After the repair is complete, try opening the PST file again.
Re-import the PST File:
If the exported PST file empty issue, try re-importing it into Outlook rather than simply opening it:
- Run MS Outlook and go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- Select Import from another program or file, then choose Outlook Data File (.pst).
- Follow the prompts to import the PST file back into Outlook, and check if the contents appear correctly.
Ensure a Successful Export Process:
If you suspect the original export was incomplete, you can try exporting the mailbox items again. During the export process:
- Ensure that you select all the necessary folders (including subfolders) and confirm the export process is completed without interruption.
Use MFCMAPI to Change Folder Properties
If the folder properties are altered or incorrect, some directories might look empty. To modify these settings and resolve the problem, you can utilize Microsoft’s diagnostic tool, MFCMAPI. Here’s how to do it:
- Install MFCMAPI on your machine after downloading it.
- Select Logon after opening MFCMAPI and clicking on Session.
- Click OK after choosing the preferred Outlook profile.
- Double-click the profile you need to fix from the list.
- Locate and pick the impacted folder under IPM_Subtree. To launch Property Editor, locate PR_CONTAINER_CLASS and double-click on it.
- Modify the IPF in Property Editor. Imap to IPF. Take note and select OK.
- For every impacted folder, follow the previous procedures again. Next, select Logoff under Sessions on the main screen to end the window.
- After finishing, restart Outlook to see if the problem has been fixed.
Note: You must have an active Outlook account in order to use this method. If you have an exported or archived PST file, it won’t work.
Occasionally, ScanPST.exe may freeze when scanning or may not even be able to resolve PST file corruption. If the Outlook PST file is big, badly corrupted, or encrypted, this can occur. A professional solution like CubexSoft Outlook PST Converter can be used in this situation. There are no file size restrictions, and this utility can easily convert numerous Outlook PST files. For users with little technical knowledge, it provides an easy-to-use interface that makes fixing PST files simple. It permits the saving of mailbox contents in a fresh PST file to PDF, MSG, MBOX, OLM, CSV, VCF, EML, RTF, and other formats after the PST file has been fixed.
