This article applies to the ANSI pst format used by Outlook 2002 and older. While it is possible to create an ANSI pst in Outlook 2003 to 2013, the default pst format in the newer versions of Outlook is Unicode, which supports up to 1TB pst files (50GB is the recommended max.)
Microsoft Outlook limits the size of the older format Personal Folders (*.pst) files and offline folders (*.ost) files to 2GB. If a new or changed item increases the size over than limit, you will not be able to use the .pst or .ost file. Even if you delete items from the server mailbox, the .ost file will not synchronize.
The the Outlook PST file or Personal STorage file can easily grow to an extreme size. Here's a 4-step plan to managing that size and getting it back under control. Outlook PST files are Outlookâs repositories for email, contacts, calendar information, and much more. (Not to be confused with.
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If you need to use an older .pst file in Outlook 2013, 2016, or newer and plan to leave it in the profile, it is recommended you import the pst to a new pst file. If you aren't sure if the .pst is the older ANSI-format, check the .pst properties. In Outlook 2003 and newer, an ANSI pst is identified as Outlook Data File (97-2002).
Beginning with Outlook 2003, larger PST files are supported. However, if you upgrade from an older version you need to create a new PST, the older PST format is not automatically converted or upgraded. See Convert an old PST to a Unicode PST. If the old PST won't open in Outlook you will need to repair it before you can convert it.
Shrinking a file that's over the limit | Preventing files from growing too large
Other Tools | More information
Other Tools | More information
How to check the data file (pst) format
- Right click on the top level folder and choose Properties (Data File Properties in Outlook 2010 and newer)
- Click Advanced to open the data file dialog.
- If the data file is listed as Outlook Data File and you are using Outlook 2003 and up, its a Unicode data file.
- If the data file is labeled Outlook Data File (97-2002) its an older ANSI format and is limited to no more than 1.9 GB in size and no more than 65,000 items per folder (often less).
Shrinking a file that's over the limit
Outlook has no built-in way to reduce a PST or OST file that has gone over the limit. However, Microsoft provides a tool, PST2GB, which you can download to restore the file to operability. Note, however, that the utility truncates the data from between 25 and 50mb and the truncated data is not recoverable. The remaining data under 2GB should be restored.
If you want to attempt repairs yourself, use a tool called a hex editor to edit the data in the file directly. Every Windows shareware site has a selection of hex editors. Eugene McCarthy of FAO Headquarters in Rome recommends the free iHex editor, which loads only 64kb of the file at a time, making it ideal for tinkering with extremely large PST files.
Make a backup of your PST or OST, then open the original file with the hex editor (available for download from any Windows shareware site). You'll want to remove a few characters from the middle of the file, then save it and try to run the Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe) to repair the damage you did with the hex editor. If Scanpst can repair the file, you should be able to open it Outlook again. If not, try removing some additional characters from the file.
If this process works, with any luck, you'll lose only one or two items. You may be able to recover 100% of the data by repeating the process with a new copy of the file, but removing the data from a different area.
Preventing PST files from growing too large
Beginning with Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 1, Outlook provides better protection against Personal Folders .pst and offline folders .ost file growing past the 2GB size limit. Once an PST or OST file reaches 1.82GB, users will not be able to add new items. This MSKB article contains more information: Mail Delivery to Inbox Stops When the Personal Folder or Offline Folder Is Full
Tools in the Spotlight
DataNumen Outlook Repair | DataNumen Outlook Repair is a powerful tool to repair and recover corrupted Outlook PST files. Main features: recover mail messages, folders, posts, appointments, meeting requests, contacts, distribution lists, tasks, task requests, journals and notes in PST files; support to recover attachments; support to recover deleted Outlook items; support to recover oversized 2GB PST files; support to split the output PST file into several small ones; support to recover password protected PST files; support to convert PST file from Outlook 97-2002 format into the new Outlook Unicode format. |
Kernel for Outlook PST Repair Tool | Kernel for Outlook PST Repair Tool recovers and restores emails and other items from damaged, corrupted or broken PST files. The demo version shows you exactly that how many emails and other items will be recovered using the full Kernel Repair PST Software. Kernel for Outlook PST Repair supported versions are Outlook 97, 2000, XP, 2003. It successfully recovers all items from the PST file including emails, drafts, calendars, journal, notes, tasks, contacts etc. OST repair tool available. |
Stellar Outlook PST Repair | Outlook PST Repair software repairs the corrupted PST file and for recovering its entire mailbox items. This software even repairs file which are larger than 2 GB and also recovers deleted emails. Stellar Outlook PST Repair software has several powerful features like repair password protected and encrypted files and also recovery of selected folders. This software works with almost all latest Outlook versions and has good compatibility with Windows 8, 7, vista, 2003, 2002 and 2000. |
![Outlook Pst File Too Big Outlook Pst File Too Big](https://alssl.askleomedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2003/12/outlook_create_datafile-600x478.png)
Tools
CopyPST repairs Outlook data files by exporting it to a new file, ignoring any error. It requires that the data file can still be opened in Outlook. Exporting a file breaks links, which can be repairs using OLfix program. Free |
Outlook Drive Recovery can recover all Outlook data from drives or disks, including messages, folders, posts, appointments, meetings, contacts, distribution lists, tasks, journals and notes. All properties, such as subject, to, from, cc, bcc, date, etc., are recovered. Recover Outlook data with password protection, both compressible encryption and high encryption. All drives and file systems supported, including hard disks, flash drives, Zip disks, CDROMs, etc., and any file systems, such as FAT, FAT32, NTFS, Linux Ext2, Linux Ext3, etc. |
Repair corrupted .pst and .ost files and those exceeding the 2gb limit. Retrieve deleted items from Outlook folders. Can access password-protected .pst files. Can also repair and restore Outlook Express data. |
Outlook Recovery locates Outlook files and databases automatically. If you experienced a hard drive failure or deleted an Outlook database by an accident, Outlook Recovery will perform a full scan of that disk in order to locate and undelete/recover the database. If a database is corrupted, Outlook Recovery will repair it so that it can be used with Microsoft Outlook again. Outlook Recovery can recover Outlook databases in PST and OST formats, saving them for using with Outlook or any email application that supports the EML format. |
OutlookFix is an Outlook repair software tool for damaged, erased or large Outlook PST files. Restores Outlook files, will undelete emails and files, and lets you reduce the size of Outlook (Outlook 2gb limit fix) solving the common 2Gb size problem. |
Outlook .NET pst/ost native parser. Pass the .pst or .ost file by header or extension, strip attachments, get all items (Appointments, Calendar, Folders, Email, Tasks, etc.), recover deleted or orphaned items. Allows you to continue processing if file is corrupt. Works with 97 - 2007 format, all encryption methods, and password protected files. Outlook is not required. Does not use MAPI or CDO. Version 4.20 |
Use PstViewer Pro to view, search, print, reply to, and export email stored in your Outlook .PST files. Just start PstViewer Pro and select the folder with your .pst files. Click on the .PST file to reveal folders, emails, and file attachments. Renders Outlook emails in their original html, rich text or text formatting. Export your emails to different formats, including PDF, HTML, MHT, CSV, JPG and more. Can also open .eml and .msg files, Outlook not required. |
Recovery for Outlook repairs corrupted Outlook mailboxes (.pst). The program also supports Exchange Offline Storage Files (.ost). Supported Outlook versions: 2007, 2003, 2002, 2000, 98 and 97 |
Recover data from Outlook pst files. Recover Exchange ost files and/or convert them into Microsoft Outlook pst files. Export data from pst files into eml and vcf files. |
RecoveryFix for Outlook is PST repair software that repairs the corrupt, damaged and inaccessible PST files and restores them to new PST, EML or MSG file formats in a single go. The tool comes integrated with smart and enhanced repairing features that rigorously scan, repair and restore the complete Outlook data files within a matter of minutes. Its advanced algorithms and interactive GUI makes this tool an ideal Outlook PST repair utility for non-technical users to perform complex recovery process with utmost convenience. |
With Stellar Outlook Manager you can back-up your important emails, compact large PST file, identify and remove duplicate emails, get back lost password, repair corrupt PST files and even split large PST files. All these functions can be managed conveniently in just a few clicks through a central console. |
PST File Splitter reduces the size of a large PST file by splitting it into small parts and helps in avoiding the PST corruption situations. Stellar Phoenix PST File Splitter splits large PST file on the basis of email Id, date and folder size and keep the original PST file intact. It allows to create batch files for automating splitting process and also provides the log report of every operation. PST file splitter is available with both single user and corporate versions and efficiently works with Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000. |
Stellar Toolkit for Outlook is a comprehensive software package to manage and optimize Microsoft Outlook profile. Get tools to repair damaged or corrupt PSTs, convert OST to PST, merge Outlook PST files, split or compact large PST files, and more. |
More Information
To repair a damaged Outlook PST file
Housekeeping and Message Management Tools
Both Offline Files and Personal Folders Files Stop Accepting Data
Convert an old PST to a Unicode PST
Housekeeping and Message Management Tools
Both Offline Files and Personal Folders Files Stop Accepting Data
Convert an old PST to a Unicode PST