How to Resolve “Large PST File Crashes Outlook” Error?

If you’re also facing this large PST file crashes Outlook issue & want to fix this error. Then, in this well-explained article, we’ll discuss how to solve the problem of Outlook crashes when opening a large PST file, along with a troubleshooting guide.

All of the MS Outlook users know about PST files, which are a file format used by Outlook for storing all mailbox data, such as emails, contacts, calendars, attachments, etc, in tabular form. However, the file starts increasing in size when we use it over time for saving all the data. When it crosses its limit, it causes many problems like crashing, not opening, slowing down, freezing, or lagging.

For better understanding, let’s know the PST file size limit as per Outlook versions to resolve “large PST file crashes Outlook”:

• 2 GB PST (Outlook 2002 and older)
• 20 GB PST (Outlook 2003–2007)
• 50 GB PST (Outlook 2010 and later)

Analyze the version and PST file size. it your data file crosses these limits, then it may become large, and your Outlook keeps crashing and freezing.

So, before diving into solutions, let’s walk through the errors caused by an oversized PST file, what its reasons are, and how to handle large PST files.

Errors Caused Due to Large PST File Crashes Outlook

Here are some of the issues given below that users faced because of oversized PST files:

• Suddenly, your Outlook becomes unresponsive or slows down during your work, as a result it will impact your Outlook performance.
• Your emails or other receivable items get delayed in your management work.
• Unable to access the mail folder, send or search emails.
• Also, you will be getting errors like Outlook not responding or Outlook mailbox full.
• Auto Archive will not work properly.

Knowing the causes is necessary for resolving the issue. Now, let’s dive into the solutions.

Effective Method to Solve “Outlook Crashes When Opening Large PST file” Error

You can easily fix your oversized PST files manually and automatically; here is the list of how can large PST file can cause Outlook issues:

• Using the Compact Now Feature
• Try Archive Old Emails
• Use the Inbox Repair Tool
• Turn Off Add-ins

Now, let’s understand the solutions in detail.

Method 1: Expert’s Suggestion to Fix Large PST File Crashes Outlook

If you don’t want to delete any email or item, your Outlook is not opening, and you want to make your file smaller for smooth work in Outlook, then SysTools PST File Splitter is the best and right way to fix this issue. This software comes with phenomenal features and capabilities, like it to Split PST File by size, date, year, subject, email ID, folder, sender, and other options. It helps to minimize the size of your data file. Download the free version on your system to know the working steps and settings:

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Quick Steps to Fix Large PST Files

1. Download the solution on your PC.
2. Add your large PST files/folders.
3. Select the data and destination path.
4. Select the Split Option as per choice.
5. Choose the Next icon to resolve your issue.

Why Dividing Your Large PST Files is Beneficial?

• If you don’t want to delete any email or item, then this is the best way to fix the large PST File Crashes in Outlook issue.
• Also, it makes your large file smaller, so you can manage it easily and open it one by one in Outlook.
• All manual methods have a high risk of losing or missing emails and data, while this tool maintains all items of your emails.
• It gives you multiple options to separate your files according to your requirements.
• It can easily handle your multiple large PST files without having any file size limitations.

Method 2: Use the Compact Now Option

Outlook has a built-in feature to compact & shrink the PST file.

Steps:

1. Open MS Outlook.
2. Navigate to File > Account settings > Account Settings.
   
3. Choose your large PST file under the Data Files tab.
4. Press Settings > Compact Now.
   
5. After the completion process, click Ok button.

Note: If this manual method fails to compact your file, then you can use the SysTools PST Compress Tool. This will automate your compression process, which saves both time and effort.

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Method 3: Archive Old Emails

Archiving unwanted or old emails helps to reduce outlook mailbox size without losing or deleting any data.

Steps:

1. Go to File > Info >Tools > Clean up Old items.
2. Select Archive this Folder & All Subfolders option.
3. Then, choose any Data Range to move your old emails into a new file.
4. Save your new Archived PST file to the selected location.
5. Click the OK Button.

Note: If your Outlook mailbox is loaded with duplicate emails, which makes your data file large, then use the SysTools Outlook Duplicate Remover tool, which automatically scans and deletes duplicate items from your Outlook mailbox. It maintains the data structure of the file after the removal of unwanted items.

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Method 4: Try the Inbox Repair Tool to Solve “Large PST File Crashes Outlook” Error

Microsoft offers a ScanPST.exe, which is an inbox repair tool to recover the corrupted files in Outlook.

Steps:

1. Quit your Outlook fully.
2. Search for ScanPST.exe, which is usually found in the Office Installation Folder.
3. Launch the Tool and upload your data file.
4. Click the Start button to scan and fix the PST file.

Method 5: Disable Unwanted Add-ins to Prevent the PST file keeps Crashing Outlook Issue

Remove all faulty or outdated add-ins to avoid worse Outlook performance.

Steps:

1. Launch your Outlook in Safe Mode by writing (Outlook.exe / safe) in Run.
   
2. Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
   
3. Turn off unnecessary add-ins, especially third-party.
4. Now, run your Outlook again.

These methods are very time-consuming, and sometimes they might not be compatible with a huge PST file. So, if you want a reliable solution and a quick result, then we recommend using an automated method. Take a look at the utility given below.

Let’s understand its working.

Steps to Fix Outlook Crashes When Opening Large PST File Error

1. Download & run the aforementioned software on your operating system.
   
2. Click on Add file to import the large file.
   
3. Select the Data file and press the Open button.
   
4. Choose the Advanced Scan tab to fix corruption.
   
5. Press on Export button to store the items in PST file.
   
6. Finally, click on Ok option for successfully repairing.
   

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve discovered the best solution for fixing the “large PST file crashes Outlook” by compacting now option, archiving old emails, using the Inbox Repair Tool, disabling unwanted add-ins, etc. Also, we have explained why does Outlook keep crashing? And other related information. If you don’t want to delete any emails but want to make your file, or your file is corrupted, or your mailbox is loaded with duplicate emails, then go for the automated solutions. For any answers to your queries, contact us through live chat support.