Almost all Outlook users encounter errors like “file cannot be opened” or “file has been corrupted” at some point when trying to access Outlook. This usually happens because the PST file that stores your emails, calendars, notes, attachments, etc. becomes too large. As a result, Outlook struggles to open it.
However, fixing the issue isn’t as complicated as it seems, and we have plenty of tools for it. Two such solutions are Stellar Repair for Outlook, a desktop solution, and Stellar Online PST Repair, afree online service. In this review, we explored both tools in detail. So you can choose the best one for repairing your PST file.
Overview of Both PST Repair Solutions
Before we get into hands-on testing, let’s quickly check out what both tools are.
Stellar Repair for Outlook (Desktop Software)
Stellar Repair for Outlook(desktop version) is your PST repair tool that repairs corrupt and damaged PST files. It has no file size limitations, allowing you to handle large PST files with ease. Once it scans the files, the tool instantly recovers your emails, contacts, calendars, notes, attachments, etc. It can also recover deleted mailbox items and highlight them after the scan. So, you can select and retrieve the data you want.
Stellar Online PST Repair (Online Service)
Stellar Online PST Repair works like the desktop version, but in your browser. You upload your corrupt PST file, and the tool scans and repairs it. Plus, you will get a preview of your mailbox folder structure, so you can verify the items you want. The main USP of the online service is the convenience. You don’t need to download classic Outlook or install anything. Instead, everything happens in your browser.
Stellar Repair for Outlook (Desktop): Hands-On
Getting started with the desktop tool was pretty straightforward. We downloaded the tool from its official website and then installed it by following the on-screen instructions.
Once the tool was downloaded, we activated it with the product key to use it to its full potential.
After activating it, we went to File > Select Outlook Data File, selected our damaged PST file, and clicked Repair. Alternatively, you can click on List Profiles and select your profile to get started.
The tool instantly started to repair the file. It took only a few seconds, as our PST file was around 120 MB. But if you have a larger PST file, the repair process may take longer.
After repairing, we instantly got a preview of all the mailbox items. On the left-hand side, we saw a clear structure of Inbox, Journal, Deleted Items, Drafts, etc., in different folders. By clicking each folder, I could see the items inside.
Finally, we clicked on Save Repaired File from the menu bar to save the file as a PST. You could also select other formats like HTML,EML, RTF, MSG, PDF, etc.
That’s it. Once you have your repaired PST file, you can open Outlook. Go to File>Open & Export>Import/Export>Import from another program or file>Outlook Data File. Then select your repaired PST file and import it, and you are all set.
Stellar Online PST Repair: Hands-On
The online service was much more straightforward to install, as there was nothing to install.
We first started by going to their website and signing up so we could upload up to 5 GB of files. Next, we clicked on the Repair PST File button and selected our corrupted PST file. It instantly got uploaded.
After that, we clicked Start Repair to proceed. It took longer than the desktop tool. The online service depends on several factors, including internet speed, the size of the PST you are uploading, and the level of corruption.
But eventually, we got a preview of our file. However, we didn’t get a live preview. Instead, it was downloaded as an HTML page that displayed the folders and the file count within them.
Finally, we downloaded the PST file and imported it into Outlook, and it worked. So, no complaints.
Which One Should You Choose?
Now that we have explored both desktop and online services in depth, the next question is:Which is better?
The answer depends on each user’s needs. It depends on how large your PST file is, how badly it is damaged, and what you want to do with your repaired file.
- First of all, if your PST file is too large, the online service won’t be a good idea. The online service supports up to 5 GB, so if your file is larger than 5 GB, go for the desktop app. But if your file is small, the online service works better. Plus, it is free too.
- Lastly, if you want privacy and to keep your data on your computer, the desktop tool wins again. Plus, the desktop tool allows you to export your data in PST, HTML, RTF, MSG, or PDF, so you can import it into different applications. However, Stellar claims that the online service is highly secure and private.
Verdict
Overall, both Stellar Repair for Outlook (Desktop edition and browser-based PST Repair service) work effectively to recover damaged PST files. Both are useful, and their suitability depends on the task’s specific requirements and urgency. For example, if the file is under 5 GB and the system does not have the traditional Outlook client installed, or if the file is under 500 MB, you can easily use the Stellar browser-based PST file repair service.
However, for larger or heavily corrupted PST files, or if you need to preview the entire mailbox for data validation, or want to save the PST in other formats (such as MSG, EML, RTF, PDF, or HTML), or intend to export data to Exchange Online (Office 365) or Live Exchange, then Stellar Repair for Outlook (Desktop edition) is recommended. In our testing, it proved faster, had no size limitations, and allowed file previewing. We suggest trying both tools to determine which best suits your needs.