How to Recover Encrypted or Locked PST Files? Direct Solution

  • Written By  

  • Updated on February 9th, 2026

5/5 - (2 votes)

Data corruption acts like a digital earthquake, typically caused by a system failure or malicious code. When this happens, the application can no longer verify the credentials required to access the locked PST files. If it contains valuable personal or business data, it is needed to recover encrypted PST file. This blog will cover the causes of PST file corruption and the free ways to recover it. Also, it will show you how a professional tool, the Cigati Outlook PST Repair Tool, can safely restore the email data. 

Factors Causing PST File Corruption

There are various factors that lead to Outlook PST file corruption. A few of them are listed below: 

  • Large PST Files: When a PST file exceeds the size limit, the risk of data corruption and errors increases.
  • Abrupt Outlook or System Failures: Crashes while Outlook is running can interrupt the PST file operations.
  • Abnormal Outlook Shutdown: Forcefully closing Outlook can disrupt PST file integrity and prevent data from being saved correctly.
  • Network Faults & Cloud Storage Failures: Sync interruptions in cloud storage or saving PST files on network locations increase the chance of corruption.
  • Add-in Clashes: Incompatible plugins or add-ins can cause frequent Outlook errors. 

Ways to Recover Encrypted PST File without Outlook

If you have Office 365 subscription, then it allows you to repair your PST file with its in-built Scan PST feature. But you may face trouble when your PST file is encrypted with a Password. This built-in feature is not fruitful. So, in this case, you must take the help of an automated and expert-recommended PST Recovery Solution.

Retrieve Data from Encrypted PST File Without Hassle

The Cigati Outlook PST Repair Tool is a full-featured utility that helps its users to fetch their emails from corrupted or damaged PST files. User has the chance to retrieve their data from the encrypted PST as well. Moreover, it also provides you with an opportunity to get your emails from the corrupted Outlook PST

Why Choose Us to Recover Data from Encrypted PST File?

  • It comes with three recovery modes: Standard, Advanced, and Deep. Choose the recovery mode for the added PST file as per its corruption level.
  • Highly smart in retrieving your emails from the corrupted, damaged, or password-protected PST.
  • Allows its users to recover all the PST items data, including contacts, calendars, etc., from the password-protected or without password PST file.
  • You have the option to recover the PST file in multiple file formats, such as DBX, EML, PST, MSG, and MBOX.
  • The tool provides you with the Auto Search feature that can search for your lost PST.
  • You can save your resultant PST locally or on a hard drive.
  • Allows you to repair encrypted and password-protected PST files. 

The above are a few advanced features of the tool. Now, in the following section, we will learn the steps to recover encrypted PST file.

Steps to retrieve data from encrypted PST without Outlook:

  1. Download the Outlook PST Repair Tool and run it as an administrator.
  2. Add the single or multiple PST files whose data you want to fetch.
  3. Decide the recovery mode of the added PST file.
  4. After selecting the recovery mode, it will start scanning your added files.
  5. Following, click on the Save button, and it will start previewing the recovered items.
  6. Choose the File Format for the resultant PST file.
  7. Manage the other features of the tool in accordance.
  8. Lastly, pick the preferred destination, and your resultant file will be there in your selected format.

Conclusion

I hope you now have the most trusted ways to recover emails from encrypted PST. Though if you have an Office 365 subscription, then you can use the ScanPST in-built feature. But it works without a password-protected PST. On the contrary, if you are loaded with a password-protected, corrupted, or damaged PST file. Then you should opt for the automated solution, the Cigati Outlook PST Repair Tool. It not only helps you to recover encrypted PST file but also allows you to use its several advanced features without any technical expertise.

You May Also Read: Outlook Rules Not Working

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it possible to open an encrypted PST directly in Outlook?

Ans: No. It is not possible to open an encrypted PST file directly in Microsoft Outlook. You need to have the correct password to open the encrypted PST file. Also, you can either decrypt it or provide the correct password to open the file.

Q: Does Microsoft provide a free tool for decryption?

Ans- No. Microsoft does not provide any free tool to decrypt the password-protected Outlook PST file. If the user has forgotten the password, Microsoft will not provide any utility that will recover that password. It only provides the Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST.EXE), which repairs the corruption.

About The Author:

Rohit Singh is an Email Backup, Recovery & Migration Consultant and is associated with Software Company from the last 3 years. He writes technical updates and their features related to MS Outlook, Exchange Server, Office 365, and many other Email Clients & Servers.

Related Post

100% safe and secure100% Safe & SECURE
SupportLifetime Support (24X7)
Money BackMoney Back Policy
Trusted by CustomersTrusted by 10000+ Customers