How to Retrieve .MST Files After a System Breakdown

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .MST file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Retrieve .MST Files After a System Breakdown
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .MST file?

An MST file is a settings file used by the Microsoft Windows Installer (msiexec.exe

What Are Common Causes of ".MST" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".MST" files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".MST" files while cleaning up their computer or organizing files, leading to their loss.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Issues with software or hardware can cause ".MST" files to become corrupted or inaccessible, resulting in failure.
  3. System crashes: System crashes or sudden power outages can interrupt the saving or accessing process of ".MST" files, leading to their loss or failure.
  4. Virus or malware attacks: Viruses or malware can infect and corrupt ".MST" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to fail.
  5. File system errors: File system errors, such as bad sectors on the hard drive or file system corruption, can cause ".MST" files to be lost or fail.
  6. Improper file transfer: If ".MST" files are not transferred properly, such as interrupted or incomplete transfers, they may become corrupted or fail.
  7. Software conflicts: Conflicts between different software programs or incompatible software versions can lead to the loss or failure of ".MST" files.
  8. Human error: Human error, such as accidentally formatting the wrong drive or overwriting ".MST" files with incorrect data, can result in their loss or failure.
  9. Hardware failure: Hardware failures, such as a malfunctioning hard drive or a faulty storage device, can lead to the loss or failure of ".MST" files.
  10. Software bugs or glitches: Bugs or glitches in software applications that handle ".MST" files can cause them to become corrupted or fail.

How to recover lost ".MST" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".MST" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".MST" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".MST" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".MST" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".MST" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".MST" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Installer Setup Transform File image file file?

Programs that open ".MST" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Installer Microsoft Windows Installer
Microsoft Windows SDK Microsoft Windows SDK

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Installer Setup Transform File

  • File extension: .MST

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Settings Files

  • Format: N/A

  • HEX: D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 00

  • File types that use the extension .MST:

    • Windows Installer Setup Transform File

    • Corel Presentations Master Template File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:01 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .MST files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is the file extension .MST commonly associated with, and what does it stand for?

    The file extension .MST is commonly associated with Microsoft Windows Installer Transform files. MST stands for Microsoft Transform.

  • How can I open a .MST file on my computer? Are there any specific software or tools required?

    To open a .MST file on your computer, you will need a specific software called "Microsoft Windows Installer" or "Orca." Here's how you can use these tools:

    Microsoft Windows Installer:

    • Open the Command Prompt on your computer. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + R, typing "cmd," and pressing Enter.
    • In the Command Prompt, navigate to the directory where your .MST file is located using the "cd" command. For example, if your .MST file is on the desktop, you can use the command: `cd C:UsersYourUsernameDesktop`
    • Once you are in the correct directory, use the following command to apply the .MST file to an MSI installer: `msiexec /i YourInstaller.msi TRANSFORMS=YourTransform.mst`

    Replace "YourInstaller.msi" with the name of your MSI installer file, and "YourTransform.mst" with the name of your .MST file.

    • The .MST file will be applied to the MSI installer, and the installation process will begin.

    Orca:

    • Download and install the "Orca" software from the Microsoft website. Orca is a tool included in the Windows SDK Components for Windows Installer Developers.
    • Once installed, open Orca.
    • In Orca, go to "File" and select "Open" to browse for your .MST file.
    • After opening the .MST file, you can view and edit its contents.
    • If you want to apply the .MST file to an MSI installer, go to "Transform" and select "Apply Transform." Then browse for the MSI installer file and click "Open."
    • The .MST file will be applied to the MSI installer, and you can save the modified installer for installation.

    Please note that the above instructions assume you are using a Windows operating system.

  • Can you provide step-by-step instructions on how to open and access the contents of a .MST file?

    To open and access the contents of a .MST file, you can follow these step-by-step instructions:

    Step 1: Install Orca

    • Download and install Orca, which is a free tool provided by Microsoft for editing MSI files. You can download it from the Microsoft website or other trusted sources.

    Step 2: Launch Orca

    • Open Orca by searching for it in the Start menu or by locating it in the installation folder.
    • Launch the application by double-clicking on the Orca icon.

    Step 3: Open the .MST file

    • In Orca, go to the "File" menu and select "Open".
    • Browse to the location where the .MST file is stored and select it.
    • Click on the "Open" button to load the .MST file in Orca.

    Step 4: View the contents

    • Once the .MST file is loaded, you will see a table view of its contents.
    • The left pane of Orca displays the different tables contained within the .MST file.
    • Click on any table to view its contents in the right pane.

    Step 5: Access specific data

    • To access specific data within a table, select the table in the left pane.
    • In the right pane, you will see the rows and columns of the selected table.
    • Click on a row to view its details in the bottom pane.

    Step 6: Modify the contents (optional)

    • If you want to modify the contents of the .MST file, you can do so in Orca.
    • Right-click on a cell and select "Edit" to modify the data within that cell.
    • You can also add or delete rows as needed.

    Step 7: Save changes (optional)

    • If you made any modifications to the .MST file, you can save the changes.
    • Go to the "File" menu and select "Save" or "Save As".
    • Choose a location to save the modified .MST file and click on the "Save" button.

    That's it! You have now opened and accessed the contents of a .MST file using Orca.
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