How to Fix or Repair Oversized PST File Issue in Outlook 2016/2013/2007

Microsoft Outlook is one of the excellent email platforms because of its improved security and prolonged stability. PST is said to be a kind of container for MS Outlook that stores emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, drafts and shared items etc.

However, an Outlook PST file has a specific storage limit on file size which depends on the versions of Outlook. Suppose if you are an ANSI user then size limitation of PST would be 2 GB,but if you are UNICODE users then size limitation of PST would be 20 GB.

What is an oversized PST file?

When a PST file exceeds a specific storage limit, it gets oversized. This happens because the users keep storing all the incoming data items into the same PST file. It may lead to the increase of PST file. And problems may arise thereafter while accessing mailbox folders and email messages. In such a scenario, your MS Outlook application may show the following errors –

Error Occurs due to Oversize PST file

• The file could not be added to the folder. The action could not be completed
• The file xxxx.pst has reached its maximum size limit.
• Errors have been detected in Outlook PST file. Quit all mail-enabled applications.
• Outlook.pst cannot be an accessed 0x80040116
• An unknown error has occurred 0x80040119 etc.

How to avoid PST file size issues that occur due to oversized personal storage folder?

 Also Read: How to Split Large PST File manually

How To Safeguard Against OST Oversizing

In order to save your OST file from exceeding the defined size limit, you can keep in mind the below-mentioned points and can optimize the size of your OST file:

• Delete all the unwanted items from different folders of your OST file.
• Hard delete the items you do not require. Additionally, empty the Deleted Items Folder to become free from such deleted messages permanently.
• Compact the size of your OST file.

 Also Read: How to Open Large OST File into Outlook

Manual Approach to solve PST File Too Large to Open Error

In order to fix the PST file size error, you are recommended to use the inbuilt utility inbox repair tool, which is located by default in Microsoft Office folder. To proceed this method, follow the steps that are listed below:
Step 1: First, open the scanpst.exe application.
Step 2: Click on “Browse” button to choose the PST file which you want to crop.
Step 3: Now click on the “Start” button to initiate the dividing process.
Step 4: Choose the option “Make a backup of scanned file before repairing” and then select the destination folder from the drop-down menu.
Step 5: Finally, start the repair process by clicking on the option “repair”.

 Also Read: How to Fix Error Outlook 0x80070021

Limitations:

The above described manual method is good if you are having a problem of low amount of data items in PST file. Then there is an Alternative Third party tool also available.

Alternative (Third party tool)- A Simple and Safe Way to Fix pst Issue :

Download Now

In order to avoid any complications users are recommended to go for reliable Outlook Inbox Repair Software. And one such trustworthy software is PST File Repair With this then can not only reduce the size of PST files but even repair corrupted PST files, recover deleted PST files and resolve scanpst or Outlook errors.

About The Author:

Mithilesh Tata

Mithilesh Tata is dedicated to making the lives of his customers as simple as possible. He enjoys learning about new applications and utilities that can help people protect their data. Mithilesh also has a strong grasp on email migration & data recovery. He enjoys validating every component of the software, technical materials, and anything else that has to do with his working life.

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