Free Ways to Handle PST Files With Size More than 50GB
The blog describes tips and tricks for managing large Outlook PST files when their size exceeds 50GB. Microsoft users need to understand these measures because there is a high risk of PST file from being getting corrupted. This makes difficult for users to open and access the data stored in the file. So, work with MS Outlook in an error-free manner by adopting few safety tips.
Suppose a person is having a PST file of size 55GB and is working with this file. Suddenly, the file stops working and she is unable to use and open the file. All the emails, address book, calendars, etc., saved in this file are unable to access. In this condition, her first priority will be to anyhow open and work with this damaged large PST file. But a question arises that how to do this?
For managing large Outlook PST files, which is unfortunately damaged, users need to apply below explained free measures in a systematic manner.
1. Fix Damaged Outlook PST File: One of the major causes of Outlook files to get damaged is that their maximum size limit exceeds. In order to repair PST file, Microsoft team provides an inbuilt and free utility to its users. The name of this tool is scanpst.exe, which fixes all the issues causing corruption in the .pst file.
2. Reduce The Size Of PST File: When you are done with fixing of damaged Outlook database file, your next step is to reduce PST file size. This step is mandatory to prevent the occurrence of this troubling situation again. Not only to troubleshoot but, this will help in maintaining the performance of MS Outlook. Although MS Outlook 2013 and 2016 supports the 50GB maximum size of PST file still if this size exceeds than you will be facing a problem. Following are the 5 ways by which you can reduce Outlook PST file size :
Clean Up the ‘Deleted Items’ Folder
The items do not get permanently erased from Outlook when they are normally deleted from a mailbox. Whenever an item is simply deleted from a mailbox, it moves to Deleted Items folder. So, it is important to either
- Press Shift+Delete keys together for permanently erasing the item from the database, or
- Go to File >> Option and click on the Advanced tab. Click on ‘Outlook Start….’ option and select ‘Empty Deleted Items folder when exiting Outlook’. At last, click on OK to make the final changes
Archive Earlier MS Outlook Items
It is maintained for managing large Outlook PST files. This point is only applicable if Microsoft Outlook is connected with Exchange server accounts, not with IMAP / POP3. Apply following settings to edit Archiving settings in Outlook :
- Go to Info >> Cleanup Tools and click Archive option
- Store the Archive file on any location of the PC and choose that desired location. Avoid saving of this archive file in C: hard disk of PC
This archive file will be saved on user-defined location in system’s internal storage. The useful thing is that the archived items get erased from a mailbox of Microsoft Outlook. Not only for this time but, in future also, remember the steps for managing large Outlook PST files under regular time intervals.
Cleanup Unwanted Items from Mailbox
- This point to reduce the size of PST file will focus on big size folders, which comprises of a large amount of data in PST mailbox. Access local data as well as the server data tab, once you get connected with the server. ‘Access Local Data’ tab will provide the view of cleanup modifications that are automatically made by the server. In order to open ‘Mailbox Cleanup Tool’, take help of following guidelines :
- Click on File >> Info >> Cleanup Tools and now choose the Mailbox Cleanup
- Choose the View Mail Size option, which scans the size of mailbox along with its integrated folders.
Move Outlook Emails in Personal Folder
Moving Outlook data to the Personal folders will help in reducing the size of the overall mailbox when Microsoft Outlook app is running with the Exchange server.
Locally Save and Remove Email Attachments
PST emails might be having large attachments within it, which directly increases the overall file size. Depending upon the preferences, open those attachment emails one-by-one and save them locally on the machine. After this, if the rest of the email content is not mandatory then, permanently delete that email.
Conclusion
If the Outlook database file is corrupted because of exceeding in size limit, first repair it and the reduce PST file size. However, if the file is not damaged, you can follow the steps for managing large Outlook PST files directly. The user can apply the top 5 illustrated techniques to compact the size of PST file.
