{"id":48,"date":"2013-06-14T10:09:05","date_gmt":"2013-06-14T09:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/semnaitik.wordpress.com\/?p=48"},"modified":"2021-01-14T06:35:28","modified_gmt":"2021-01-14T05:35:28","slug":"split-pst-file","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.semnaitik.com\/blog\/split-pst-file\/","title":{"rendered":"Split PST File into Multiple Parts – Try Few Easy DIY Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Being an Outlook user, you must be aware of PST file size limit. The fact says that an oversized PST file can cause serious issues that include performance degradation and corruption. While opening or accessing an oversized PST file, Outlook client may start hanging or crashing frequently. And the worst consequence of having a large PST file is mailbox corruption. You may lose all the crucial email messages and other mailbox data due to corruption. In order to overcome this situation, you can split PST file into two or multiple parts.<\/p>\n

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PST File Size Limit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Microsoft Outlook stores all your email messages and other mailbox items in an Outlook data file called PST<\/strong> or Personal Storage Table<\/span><\/strong><\/a>. There are two types of PST files used by Microsoft Outlook: ANSI<\/strong> and Unicode<\/strong>. ANSI PST is used in Microsoft Outlook 2002 and earlier versions. ANSI is the default file format of these Outlook versions and has a size limit of 2 GB<\/strong>. As a result, it can’t store more than 2 GB<\/strong> of mailbox data. While Unicode PST file is used in Microsoft Outlook 2003 and later versions. It’s the default file format of these Outlook versions, and it can store up to 20 GB<\/strong> to 50 GB<\/strong> of mailbox content.<\/p>\n

\"ANSI<\/p>\n

Whenever an ANSI PST file reaches its maximum size or crosses it, i.e. 2 GB<\/strong>, it becomes prone to corruption. Although a Unicode PST file is less likely to be corrupt, sometimes corruption can occur in these files. Corruption can cause you data loss in the Outlook data file, be it ANSI PST or Unicode PST. In such a situation, Outlook experts and professionals suggest you split PST file into two or multiple parts. How is it useful?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, if you have a 2 GB PST file, you can split it into four parts, 500 MB each. As a result, you’ll get four PST files which are handy in size. If PST files are handy and small in size, you’re less likely to face Outlook performance issues and corruption.<\/p>\n

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Useful Information for Outlook Users<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A couple of DIY tricks you can try here to handle an oversized PST file. There’s a built-in Compact<\/strong> feature in Microsoft Outlook client which you can use to compress PST file size<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Also, you can try to remove duplicate items<\/span><\/strong><\/a> from the Outlook data file.<\/p>\n

Outlook users might also be interested in Merge PST Files Outlook 2010 into Single PST File Manually<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Important note:<\/strong> There’s no way to split PST file if it’s corrupt. Make sure the Outlook data file is valid before you can split it. In a case of corruption, you must repair PST file<\/strong><\/a><\/span> by using the scanpst.exe utility.<\/p>\n

How to split PST file?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Microsoft Outlook has no built-in feature or function to break or split PST file. Even Microsoft doesn’t provide any software to split PST file. But there’re many vendors in the market which provide PDF Splitter tool. These are commercialware tools available with the demo version for free evaluation. But if you’re looking for a free solution, you can try some DIY tricks. Microsoft Outlook client has a couple of built-in features like Archive<\/strong> and Import & Export<\/strong> <\/i><\/b>which you can use here. Additionally, Microsoft Outlook provides you Move to Folder<\/strong> feature to move PST file content, i.e. starting with one file then onto the next.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> Keep in mind that these features don’t split PST file. You can only move mailbox content from one PST file to another by using these features.<\/p>\n

For example, an Outlook data file contains thousands of email messages. You need to split PST file into two or multiple parts. You can move one hundred email messages into another PST file. As a result, you’ll get a new PST file that contains all your email messages. You can perform the same action with the remaining email messages by simply moving a hundred email messages to other PST files one by one. Finally, you have ten PST files containing 100 email messages each. This function of moving PST files’ items into another PST file is exceptionally safe and effective. But it requires excellent knowledge of Microsoft Outlook client. Sometimes a novice user may find it difficult to perform the above procedure. Below I’m showing you the comprehensive tutorial to move PST file mailbox folders into another one.<\/p>\n

Trick #1 – Split PST File <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Move PST file items by using Archive feature of Outlook <\/b><\/h4>\n

Note:<\/strong> If you’re looking for “how to archive Outlook folder”<\/strong><\/em>, you should use this trick.<\/p>\n

Step 1:<\/strong> First, launch Microsoft Outlook<\/b> program.<\/p>\n

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Select your PST file from which you want to move items to a new PST file.<\/p>\n

Step 2: <\/strong>Now click File<\/b> tab ><\/strong> Info<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Click Cleanup Tools<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Step 3: <\/strong>A list will be scrolled down.<\/p>\n

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Select Archive…<\/b> in the options.<\/p>\n

Step 4: <\/strong>The Archive<\/strong> dialog box will appear.<\/p>\n

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The “Archive this folder and all subfolders”<\/em><\/strong> box is checked by default. If it’s not, do check it. Also, select any folder from the list that you want to move. For example Inbox<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Step 6: <\/strong>An option Archive items older than<\/b><\/em> is shown there.<\/p>\n

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Select a date from the calendar.<\/p>\n

Step 7: <\/strong>Now click Browse<\/b>.<\/p>\n

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Select a location and give any name to this new PST file. It’s archive.pst<\/strong><\/em> by default.<\/p>\n

Step 8:<\/strong> You can see the selected location with the defined file name in the edit box.<\/p>\n

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Finally, click OK<\/strong> to start the actual process.<\/p>\n

This will create a new PST file consequently. You can now check this file in Microsoft Outlook.<\/p>\n

Trick #2 – Split PST file<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Move PST file items by using Import & Export feature of Outlook<\/b><\/h4>\n

Step 1: <\/strong>First, launch Microsoft Outlook<\/b> on your system.<\/p>\n

\"MS<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/strong> Now create a new Outlook data file, aka PST.<\/p>\n

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Click File<\/strong> tab, More Items<\/strong> ><\/strong> Outlook Data F<\/span>ile<\/strong>…click File<\/b> tab.<\/p>\n

Step 3: <\/strong>The Create or Open Outlook Data File<\/b><\/em> window will appear.<\/p>\n

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Browse a location and give a name to this new Outlook data file. Click OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A new Outlook data file will be created and listed in your Outlook.<\/p>\n

Step 4:<\/strong> Click File<\/strong> tab ><\/strong> Open<\/strong> ><\/strong> Import<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Step 5:<\/strong> The Import and Export Wizard<\/em> <\/b>will appear.<\/p>\n

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\nChoose Export to a file<\/b> from the list and click Next<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Step 8: <\/strong>Choose Outlook Data File (.pst)<\/b> and click Next<\/b>.<\/p>\n

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Step 9: <\/strong>Now select the folder to export from.<\/p>\n

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Expand the folder and select the item. Click Next<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Step 10: <\/strong>Now click Browse<\/b> to select the file in which you want to export.<\/p>\n

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Step 11:<\/strong> The Open Outlook Data Files<\/strong><\/em> window will open.<\/p>\n

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Select the file into which you want to export. Click OK<\/strong> to confirm your action.<\/p>\n

Step 12:<\/strong> You can see the selected Outlook data file in the edit box.<\/p>\n

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Finally, click Finish<\/strong> button to start the actual process.<\/p>\n

A new window Create Outlook Data File<\/b><\/em> will pop up. You may apply a password to protect the file. Or if you don’t want this, simply click Cancel<\/b>.<\/p>\n

This will create a new PST file consequently. You can now check this file in Microsoft  Outlook.<\/p>\n

Trick #3 – Split PST File <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Move PST file items by using Move to Folders feature of Outlook<\/b><\/h4>\n

Step 1:<\/strong> First, launch Microsoft Outlook<\/strong> on your system.<\/p>\n

\"MS<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/strong> On the Home tab, click New Items<\/b>. Then point to More I<\/span>tems<\/strong> ><\/strong> Outlook Data F<\/span>ile<\/b>.<\/p>\n

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Step 3: <\/strong>The Create or Open Outlook Data File<\/strong><\/em> window will appear.<\/p>\n

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Give a name to this new Outlook data file. Click OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Step 4: <\/strong>The new Outlook data file will be listed.<\/p>\n

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Expand the Outlook data file from which you want to move\/copy the mailbox items. Also, select any particular mailbox folder at a time.<\/p>\n

Step 5: <\/strong>Now click the Move<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n

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Click C<\/span>opy to Folder…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Step 6:<\/strong> The Copy Items<\/strong> dialog box will appear.<\/p>\n

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Select the new Outlook data file into which you want to copy the mailbox folder. Finally, click OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It’ll take a few seconds to complete the process successfully. As a result, you’ll get a new PST file containing the mailbox folder you copied earlier.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> You can’t use any of the above manual tricks if you have a corrupt PST file. The reason is pretty obvious. You can’t open a corrupt PST file. It’s just impossible to move or export anything from a file which you can’t open or access. Luckily, Microsoft provides you scanpst.exe<\/strong> aka Inbox Repair tool<\/em> to repair PST file. Also, you can try a professional PST repair tool<\/span><\/strong><\/a> to repair PST file and to recover maximum possible data from it.<\/p>\n

Common demerits of manual tricks<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"common-demerits\"<\/a>Most of the time, computer users seek some free help to resolve their issues. We all want to save our money. If I can do something for free, i.e. with no cost, why would I spend my money on paid solutions? Above in the article, I’ve shown three different tricks which help Microsoft Outlook users split PST file without requiring any 3rd party tool. Although the tricks are effective, they have a couple of drawbacks:<\/p>\n