Summary: Are you searching for viable solutions to compress large PST file? If yes, read the article carefully. Because here, we are going to disclose the most effective way to reduce PST file size. Along with that, we describe why you should do the same.
Overview
Outlook data files are the offline copy of your Outlook mailbox. They are synching information with the MS Exchange server. Therefore, as the size of your Outlook mailbox increases, the size of these Outlook data files also increases.
Sometimes, the data file size reaches a limit where it starts creating trouble. You may face various types of Outlook error messages. Also, it hinders the performance of MS Outlook applications.
Now, there are numerous techniques to compress large Outlook data files. But before jumping to those methods, let us have a look at why you should compress the size of Outlook PST file.
Reasons to Compress Large PST Files
It is beneficial to compress Outlook PST files in many ways. Another reason to reduce PST file size is that an oversized Outlook data file leads to various error messages. Below we are mentioning some of the most prominent reasons.
- If the PST file is too large, it will slow down the performance of the Outlook application or sometimes even freeze the screen.
- An oversized PST file occupies unnecessary space in your system. Therefore, it becomes mandatory for you to reduce the size of the Outlook PST file.
- When an Outlook PST file is close to its maximum size limit, the chances of its corruption are high. Furthermore, if the file gets corrupted, you will lose your valuable data.
These are some of the most common reasons that make everyone compact Outlook PST files. Now, it is time to learn how to reduce the size of Outlook PST files.
How to Compress Large PST File?
There are various techniques you can adopt to compress large PST files. These techniques are DIY solutions in which you need to perform manual steps to compact file size. Also, you can adopt a more effective and better alternative to these manual procedures. First, we see how to compact PST files manually.
#1. Compact Data File Option
- Open the MS Outlook application in your system.
- Select all the unnecessary items and permanently delete them.
- Now, enable the Folder list-icon view to navigate the items easily.
- Right-click on the Deleted Items folder and choose the Empty Folder option.
- After that, click on the File button and choose the Account Settings option.
- In the Account Settings wizard, switch to the Data Files tab.
- Select the desired Outlook data file and press the Settings button.
- Click on the Compact Now button to reduce the Outlook PST file.
#2. Archive Outlook Mailboxes
- Launch the MS Outlook application in your system.
- Click on the File button and choose the Info tab.
- Press the Tools icon and click on the Mailbox Cleanup option.
- Select the Cleanup Tools option and then press the AutoArchive option.
- Next, locate the desired Outlook file and click on the OK button.
#3. Backup Emails Individually
- Open the Outlook email that you want to save.
- Now, click on the File button and then press the Save As
- Define the destination location to the resultant Outlook email.
- After that, select the Outlook Message Format -Unicode in the Save As Type field.
- At last, press the OK button to save the email.
- Now, delete the saved emails from the Outlook application. It will reduce the size of the Outlook data file.
All the above techniques are manual solutions that require technical expertise to compress large PST files. However, you may not be able to efficiently reduce the PST file size through these techniques. These approaches have various limitations that make them difficult for users.
What Makes Manual Solutions Unreliable?
The manual techniques have various drawbacks that make them unreliable. Some of the most common limitations of these methods are.
- Require technical expertise to efficiently perform the steps.
- Chances of file corruption or data loss are high.
- Not suitable when you want a fast and effective solution.
- Difficult to perform and time-consuming procedure.
Now, you might be thinking, ‘What would be the best solution to compact large PST files?
Professional Approach to Compress Large PST Files
DRS PST Compress Tool is the best solution to reduce PST files and prevent issues caused by oversized PST files. Using this professional utility, you can compress PST file without Outlook in a few simple steps. Sometimes, compressing an Outlook PST file may cause issues. In such cases, the ideal solution is to split Outlook PST files using the PST file splitter.
Conclusion
Large-sized PST files lead to various Outlook issues. Therefore, the best approach is to keep them within the size limit. You can opt for manual methods which require the use of MS Outlook. An alternative and more efficient approach to compress large PST file is DRS PST Compress Tool.
