Break Oversized PST Files to Fix 'Cannot Open PST' Errors
Microsoft Outlook is one of the most used email applications for organizing emails, contacts, calendars, and other vital information. All of this data is saved in a file called PST or Personal Storage Table. The PST file can increase in size over time, particularly if it includes years of emails, attachments and other stuff. When this file exceeds the recommended size, Outlook frequently struggles to open it. Many customers are frustrated by the error message "Cannot open PST," which prevents them from accessing vital data.
In this article, we will look at the causes of this problem, the issues caused by large PST files and the solutions available. We will also demonstrate how to break oversized PST files into smaller sections to efficiently resolve the Cannot open PST problem.
Why the Cannot Open PST Error Occurs
There are various reasons why Outlook can fail to open a PST file, but one of the most prevalent reasons is file size. Here are some critical aspects to understand.
File size limitation Outlook has a maximum size limit for PST files & in previous versions such as Outlook 2002, the limit was 2 GB. Outlook 2010 and newer versions have a default capacity restriction of 50GB. Once the file reaches or exceeds this size & Outlook could get unstable or unable to open it
Corruption due to size Large PST files are more susceptible to corruption. The larger the file the more likely it is to include data mistakes & which might cause corruption and errors when accessed.
System performance issues When large PST files are opened, they take a significant amount of system resources. Outlook could be unable to handle the file if your machine has insufficient memory or storage
Frequent crashes Outlook can crash or freeze regularly if the PST file is too large, making it impossible to work efficiently
When the PST file becomes too huge and you obtain a Cannot open PST problem, it is a clear indication that you must manage the file size.
Risks of using oversized PST files.
If you overlook the size issue with PST files, it will continue to increase and cause more serious problems. Some common outcomes include
- Loss of access to critical emails and attachments
- Data corruption makes it difficult or impossible to recover information.
- Outlook fails on startup or while working.
- Slow performance when sending and receiving emails
- To avoid these issues & it is necessary to divide large PST files into smaller and more manageable chunks.
Manual Method for Splitting PST Files
Outlook does not provide a direct option for splitting a PST file but you can control the file size using built-in capabilities. Here are some manual techniques.
Archive old items.
Archiving allows you to move older data to a separate PST file
- Open Outlook and click File
- Select Tools, and then choose Clean up old objects
- Choose the folder you want to archive, then set a date to archive stuff older than that
- Select a location to save the archived PST file and then click OK
This will transfer older emails to a second PST file, lowering the size of the primary one
Import and Export Data
To separate the data, export selected folders to a new PST file
- Open Outlook and select File.
- Open and Export & then Import Export.
- Choose Export to a file and then click Next
- Choose Outlook Data File PST and click Next
- Choose the folder to export and a location to save the new PST file
Repeat the process with different folders to generate multiple smaller PST
Compact Size
Outlook has a compact option that allows you to compress PST files after eliminating unnecessary elements.
- In Outlook, select File & then Account Settings
- Select the PST file under the Data Files tab
- Select Compact Now from the Settings menu
- This reduces the overall file size but does not separate it into sections
While manual approaches can be useful in some circumstances & they are time consuming and not always effective for large PST files.
Professional Solution to Break Oversized PST Files
A professional application can make the procedure much easier for people who work with very large PST files or find manual techniques difficult. The Softaken Split PST Tool is a dependable option. This software allows you to break oversized PST files into smaller portions without losing any data. The utility allows you to split files by size, date, folder or year & making it simple for all types of users. You can quickly fix the Cannot open PST issue and enhance Outlook performance by splitting a large PST file into smaller files.
Benefits of Split PST Files
- Prevents corruption by limiting file size.
- Improves Outlook performance and quickness.
- Allows for easier data management with smaller PST files.
- Reduces the risk of Cannot open PST problems.
- Enhances backup and data organization.
Conclusion
Cannot open the PST error is usually caused by oversized or corrupted PST files. To solve this problem, you can use a manual process such as archiving, exporting or compacting. However, these solutions have disadvantages when dealing with large files. A professional solution offers a secure and effective way to break oversized PST files into smaller & more manageable chunks. Splitting PST files allows you to rectify mistakes & improve Outlook performance and save crucial data for the future.