How to Fix Outlook PST File Too Large to Open Error
In this article, we’ll explain how you can fix the Outlook PST file too large error using a step-by-step guide. As most of the MS Outlook users which uses this email client for their business or personal communication store all data like emails, contacts, calendars, notes, etc which is saved in .PST file. But, main problem is Outlook data file gets too large to open because its size is increasing daily. Many users are facing this frustrating error.
A large Outlook data file not only makes Outlook performance slow but also prevents user can’t able to accessing their emails and other important data, leading to corruption. So, this guide will help you fix and prevent all of these errors and enhance Outlook’s working.
Note: this issue can be fixed by using the SysTools PST Compress Tool, which helps users to shrink the PST file size by deleting some unwanted items like emails, attachments and many other items from the mailbox.
Why is My Outlook PST File Too Large in Size?
Maximum PST file capacity depends on the user’s Outlook version, like Outlook 2002 and earlier versions have only 2 GB, which supports the ANSI format. Outlook 2003 to 2007 have 20 GB, which supports the UNICODE format, and other than that,10, 13, 16, 19, 21 and Office 365 have 50 GB of capacity, which can be further increased. Then why does it show this “Outlook data file too large to open” error? Let’s find out:
- No Archiving Practice: If you’re those users who keep everything in the same PST file and do not archive old emails, it results in your large Outlook data file.
- Deleted Items Not Removed: After deleting, the data is not cleared until it’s removed by the deleted item folder.
- Large Email Usage: Storing many emails in thousands increases the size of the PST file.
- Attachments: Most space is consumed by these attachments, and if not necessary, then they need to be removed.
Causes of These Large Outlook Data Files
Outlook gives a warning before inaccessible of PST file. So let’s take a look at the symptoms.
- It takes a lot of time to run as it crashes many times frequently crashes.
- Errors like: “Outlook PST file too large to open”.
- Facing a problem opening folders, events, emails, etc.
- Reduced Outlook performance
- Emails got corrupted or misplaced due to file corruption.
If you noticed these errors, then it’s the correct time to dive into the solutions before they become inaccessible.
Fix My Outlook PST File Too Large to Open Error- Manual Way
- Delete Unwanted Emails and Attachments
- Archive Old Outlook Data
- Using the Import or Export Feature
Let’s understand their working:
Method 1: Delete Unnecessary Emails and Attachments
Most simplest solution is to clear up your mailbox by deleting the emails which contain attachments that you don’t need for use. Also, don’t forget to empty from junk folder. You can follow the steps given below:
Steps:
- Open Outlook.
- Navigate to files or folders which are unwanted, like the inbox, sent, spam, etc.
- Sort by attachments or size to detect the large emails.
- Delete those emails & attachments by clicking the Delete key.
- Go to the Deleted Items Folder and clear it.
Note: Also, don’t forget to remove duplicate emails in Outlook, as these duplicates also make your Outlook PST file too large.
Method 2: Archive Old Outlook Data
Outlook allows you to move older emails to a different file using this archiving feature, which helps to manage your PST file easily.
Steps:
- Launch Outlook, press on File > Options > Advanced.
- Click on AutoArchive settings, which is under the AutoArchive tab.
- Select the time period to run, like every 14 days.
- Choose the destination where you want your PST file to be saved.
- Apply all the settings, and Outlook will automatically move your old data into an archive file.
Method 3: Use the Import & Export to Manage Large Outlook Data Files
This feature allows you to export your data into a new PST file or selected folders. It makes different categories of data into smaller PST files.
Steps:
- Run Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
- Select the Data File tab and press the Add button.
- Create the Outlook file and name it, then click OK button.
- Now, nav to File > Open > Import.
- Using the Import & Export tool, select the Export option and tap on Next.
- Choose the PST file and select the folder to export, also check out the Include Subfolder option.
- Select your Location to save your PST file by clicking on Browse button.
- Top on Finish button.
Drawbacks of Manual Guide
Although there are Outlook in built features, they do contain some limitations which affect our performance:
- A very time-consuming process as you’ve to delete, archive, compact, and split manually, which requires a lot of time & effort.
- It involves a risk of accidental deletion of PST files, and if they are deleted, then the recovery is very difficult.
- Some manual methods require technical skill or knowledge to operate them.
- Using these methods still can’t able to improve Outlook performance if the Outlook PST file too large in size.
- If you’re working with a large Outlook data file, then Outlook doesn’t provide any batch processing for splitting or compacting.
To prevent these consequences, which are affecting your Outlook performance and making your Outlook mailbox full, we recommend using an alternative solution for manual fixes. Let’s begin it.
Fix My PST File Too Large in Size Using an Automated Method
While using manual methods, they can easily fix our issues, but they’ve their limitations which should be removed to prevent other errors caused by them. So we suggest using the best dedicated tool, which is SysTools PST Splitter Tool, which allows you to split up large PST files into their respective sizes.
Let’s check out its benefits:
- Supports uploading single and multiple PST files or folders.
- It allows users to search in a specific PST selected drive.
- Compatible with previous versions of Outlook.
- It breaks up large PST files in batch mode without wasting time & effort.
- Allows for dividing using filters like size, date, folder, email address, etc.
You will understand it more by knowing how it works:
Step-By-Step to Operate this Proactive Software
- Download & run this professional software on your Windows operating system.
- Click on Add file or folders to add some PST files to this tool.
- Press on browse button to select the destination for saving the output file.After that, tao to the next button.
- Apply some filters like splitting it by size, date, year, sender, etc, in the selectsplit option.
- Click OK to confirm your splitting process for the large Outlook data file.
Preventive Methods to Avoid Oversizing of PST File
It’s important not to fix the errors each time they arise, but it’s better to prevent your Outlook PST file too large to open.
- Instead of using a single large file, try to manage your data into smaller PST files.
- Enable the AutoArchive feature so that your old data will automatically move to an archive folder.
- Always clear the deleted or junk item folders.
- Regularly see your PST file size by navigating to account settings.
- To manage or save your storage capacity, try to clean all duplicate items by using an automated tool, which is SysTools Outlook Duplicate Remover.
- Always take a backup before changing the settings to prevent the risk of data loss.
Recommend: How to Reduce PST File Size Quickly
Conclusion
This issue Outlook PST file too large, not only affecting the performance but also raising the chance of risk of data loss & corruption. So in this article, we’ve discovered how to solve the errors of a large Outlook PST file to open it using many effective methods like deleting, compacting files, and archiving the data by professional tools. If you want your result to be quick, reliable and from a trusted source, then we’ve mentioned the automated tool designed by SysTools, which helps to manage the file easily and can avoid future problems.