PST file size issue is the most common among Outlook issues that often control the user’s mood. Just in case, PST file does not get open, a loud bang could be heard near you that reflects the mood of the user. So, upon inspecting the situation it can be said that either PST file is corrupt or there may be some issue with the PST saving. With the availability of numerous PST repair tool, user can get rid of corrupt PST file, but dealing with PST file issue may be a high level problem for all users’ i.e. even technocrats may feel its heat.
Every version of MS Outlook has some limitations regarding saving of PST files. Some provide ample space to save the PST files, while some faces issue when more than limited file size PST is saved. For instance, users using Outlook prior than 2003 do not have enough saving option. However, users who are using upgraded version of MS Outlook do not have to face such issues. The reason is they get ample of space to save number of PST files.
The fact is if you use old version of MS Outlook, you get small space to save, while when you use recent version, you get ample space to save your PST files. So, it is all about the version of MS Outlook you are going to use.
Outlook 2003 Frame with Outlook 2013 Settings
You must be thinking, “Is it really possible”? or “The writer has gone nuts”? No, it is none of them. I am absolutely fine. I am perfectly sane. This concept is feebly known to professionals as they do not waste much time in going through entire technical process. The entire process can be simply concluded into changing of Outlook 2003 settings to Outlook 2013.
The changes in settings can be made at registry values level. Microsoft provides each version of MS Outlook with some default limits and any alteration in those limits is not and never recommended. The current limitation imposed by Microsoft for PST or OST file is 50 GB.
Even if you want to proceed to make certain changes, then Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xx.0\Outlook\PST (replacing xx with your version of Outlook: 16 for Outlook 2016, 15 for Outlook 2013, 14 for Outlook 2010, 12 for Outlook 2007, or 11 for Outlook 2003.)
Enhancing File Saving Limit in Different Outlook Versions
As per formats, the file saving option can be enhanced as follows:
⦁ Unicode PST format:
For Unicode format it is recommended to create DWORD values.
1. MaxLargeFile Size: It sets maximum values of a Unicode OST or PST.
2. WarnLargeFile Size: It sets the warning level used with OST or PST. The recommended is 95%.
Enter decimal value in MB.
Figure 1 Screenshot for DWORD in Unicode format.
⦁ For ANSI, user can create DWORD as follows:
1. MaxFileSize: Sets maximum file size of PST files in ANSI format.
2. WarnFileSize: It sets the warning limit for ANSI format. The default is 1.816 GB.
Enter a decimal values in Bytes. The maximum file size for ANSI PST is 1.9 GB.
Figure 2 DWORD for ANSI format.
It can be controlled by using group policy by editing the following key.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Outlook\PST
Restore Default Values
To revert to the original settings, if PST is larger than required size, then shrink the PST or OST file well below 20 GB (Outlook 2003/2007) or 50 GB (Outlook 2010/2013/2016) or below 1.8 GB for ANSI format, then delete the appropriate MAX* and WARN* registry keys for the PST format.
This is how you can transform your Outlook’s PST saving capacity in older version with better options. However, if you are not interesting in making such changes, then you can take assistance from a reliable third-party tool like Kernel for PST Split.
Outsourcing Assistance for PST Split
One click and all PST files with excess file size would split. This is the performance of third-party software like Kernel for PST Split. So, if you want your work done quickly, just try its trial version and purchase the licensed version after witnessing its performance.
