Managing Outlook PST Size in IMO mode

Mar 1
08:54

2010

Mohit Mathur

Mohit Mathur

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Microsoft Outlook features an IMO (Internet Mail Only) mode, that supports accounts like, POP3, HTTP, and IMAP. In this IMO mode, Outlook creates a PS...

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Microsoft Outlook features an IMO (Internet Mail Only) mode,Managing Outlook PST Size in IMO mode Articles that supports accounts like, POP3, HTTP, and IMAP. In this IMO mode, Outlook creates a PST (Personal Storage Table) file to store the local copies of all e-mails, notes, contacts, calendars etc. Depending on the file version in use, this PST can be limited to different size limits. In Outlook 2003 (except in IMAP4 and HTTP accounts) and Outlook 2007, the default limit is 20 GB, while in other versions, the file is limited to grow up to only 2 GB. Thus an Outlook user is advised to manage his/her Outlook PST file on timely basis, or, it may call for solutions like Split PST File.

An Outlook PST that is used in IMO mode can behave unexpectedly and cause different issues, such as:

(1) Outlook takes considerable time to load.

(2) When you switch between the folders (for say, from Inbox to Sent Items), Outlook hangs momentarily.

(3) You find issues when importing or transferring a large sized PST file.

Also, a large PST is susceptible to corruption as compared to small-sized PST.

Solution

(1) An Outlook user using IMO mode needs to manage the PST file size regularly. Following are some basic solutions to reduce the overall size of file:

(2) Delete the undesired and unnecessary e-mails as soon as you notice them. You also need to compact the file as PST is a database and deleting the messages will have no impact on its size. To compact the file, click File | Data File Management and select your file, click 'Settings' and then 'Compact Now'.

(3) Archive your PST. You can archive the original PST for its old e-mails or on the basis of senders' e-mail IDs.

Split the PST file. For this, you need to use a third-party Split PST software.

A commercial PST File Splitter is an easy-to-use application that can split a large-sized PST file, safely and easily. These applications use effective and safe procedures and divide the file into smaller PST files, by creating new files, and leaving the original file as-is. You can install them using some simple steps.

Stellar Phoenix PST File Splitter is an advanced utility that can split Outlook data file (*.pst) on the basis of e-mail ID and message date. This Split PST File software supports MS Outlook 2007, 2003, 2002, and 2000. The software can divide a large PST into small PST files, which can be directly imported into Outlook.