Microsoft Outlook is one of the excellent email platforms because of its improved security and prolonged stability. PST is said to be a kind of container for MS Outlook that stores emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, drafts and shared items etc.
However, an Outlook PST file has a specific storage limit on file size which depends on the versions of Outlook. Suppose if you are an ANSI user then size limitation of PST would be 2 GB,but if you are UNICODE users then size limitation of PST would be 20 GB.
What is an oversized PST file?
When a PST file exceeds a specific storage limit, it gets oversized. This happens because the users keep storing all the incoming data items into the same PST file. It may lead to the increase of PST file. And problems may arise thereafter while accessing mailbox folders and email messages. In such a scenario, your MS Outlook application may show the following errors –
Error Occurs due to Oversize PST file
- The file could not be added to the folder. The action could not be completed
- The file xxxx.pst has reached its maximum size limit.
- Errors have been detected in Outlook PST file. Quit all mail-enabled applications.
- Outlook.pst cannot be an accessed 0x80040116
- An unknown error has occurred 0x80040119 etc.
How to avoid PST file size issues that occur due to oversized personal storage folder?
Also Read: How to Split Large PST File manually
How To Safeguard Against OST Oversizing
In order to save your OST file from exceeding the defined size limit, you can keep in mind the below-mentioned points and can optimize the size of your OST file:
- Delete all the unwanted items from different folders of your OST file.
- Hard delete the items you do not require. Additionally, empty the Deleted Items Folder to become free from such deleted messages permanently.
- Compact the size of your OST file.
Also Read: How to Open Large OST File into Outlook
Manual Approach to solve PST File Too Large to Open Error
In order to fix the PST file size error, you are recommended to use the inbuilt utility inbox repair tool, which is located by default in Microsoft Office folder. To proceed this method, follow the steps that are listed below:
Step 1: First, open the scanpst.exe application.
Step 2: Click on “Browse” button to choose the PST file which you want to crop.
Step 3: Now click on the “Start” button to initiate the dividing process.
Step 4: Choose the option “Make a backup of scanned file before repairing” and then select the destination folder from the drop-down menu.
Step 5: Finally, start the repair process by clicking on the option “repair”.
Also Read: How to Fix Error Outlook 0x80070021
Limitations:
The above described manual method is good if you are having a problem of low amount of data items in PST file. Then there is an Alternative Third party tool also available.
Alternative (Third party tool)- A Simple and Safe Way to Fix pst Issue :
In order to avoid any complications users are recommended to go for reliable Outlook Inbox Repair Software. And one such trustworthy software is PST File Repair With this then can not only reduce the size of PST files but even repair corrupted PST files, recover deleted PST files and resolve scanpst or Outlook errors.
Most of the errors in Outlook arise due to corruption in its Personal Folders (PST) file. This further leads to isolation of all the data items such as emails, tasks, contacts, calendar, journals, etc. that you stored in it. The reason is that all these data items get stored in the PST file, which if damaged, denies you access to all the information within it.
However, for you to overcome this unfavorable situation, Microsoft has a free of cost utility called ‘Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe)’ inbuilt in Outlook. The sole purpose is to empower you to be able to repair Outlook PST file by executing it.
However, the downside is that it is well suited for users with an advanced technical know-how. Also, severe corruption issues can be outside its capability in several situations. There are many other software utilities that are at par with scanpst.exe, which can give you a healthy Outlook data file while overcoming the limitations of the inbuilt tool. Thus, they can be used as alternatives, for both individual and business purposes.
Listed below are the 6 alternatives to Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe):
Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair
It is an out-of-the-box software that can repair your PST file, even if it is severely damaged and has a capacity greater than 2GB. It also provides you with the option to locate the PST file if its location is unknown. Moreover, it can retrieve data from encrypted Outlook data file.
It restores all the Outlook data items in a new PST file that can be saved in any desired location. You can then directly import it in Outlook that is configured in your system. Further, it allows you to save the emails in multiple file formats such as MSG, EML, RTF, HTML, and PDF.
You can use it on your system that runs Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista. Talking about the Outlook program, it supports all availableversionsincludingOutlook 2016. Last but not the least, it enhances your experience with its self-explanatory interface. It is not just at par with any other tool but excels in what it has been devised for.
Pros | Cons |
Supports encrypted PST file that has been damaged | I didn't find any |
Allows saving emails in multiple file formats |
Disk Internals Outlook Recovery
It is a PST repair software that can repair the corrupt Outlook file and retrieve all its data items, however, not from the encrypted file. It can even recover the deleted emails and attachments, even if they are removed from Deleted Items folder. Plus, it can locate the Personal Folders file even if its location is unknown.
It also empowers you to save the retrieved emails in EML format, and imports in email clients such as Outlook, Vista Mail, and Outlook Express. Before saving, it gives you the provision to preview the recoverable data files.
Pes 13 download pc. Pros | Cons |
Fully automatic | Its latest version 3.3 supports Outlook only up to version 2007 |
Can recover deleted emails | Cannot recover from encrypted PST files |
DataNumen Outlook Repair
It is a renowned Outlook repair software that forms a new PST file with the suffix ‘fixed’ added to its name. For instance, if the name of the corrupt PST file is xxx.pst, the repaired file with complete data items will be saved as xxx_fixed.pst. Here, you have the provision to select the format of the fixed PST file from the two possible formats - Outlook 97-2002 and Outlook 2003-2010.
Pros | Cons |
Can retrieve Outlook data from damaged PST file. It is useful for all versions of MS Outlook | Supports saving emails only in plain text, RTF, and HTML format |
Outlook Mail Recovery
The Outlook Mail Recovery by Disk Doctors can recover the data items from a damaged PST file, and save them in a newly created PST file. Although its name signifies that only emails can be recovered, however, it has more to offer. With this utility, you can also retrieve all data items such as emails, attachments, calendar items, contacts, tasks, and journals.
This software is not bound by the causes of corruption; therefore, it can repair any corrupt Outlook data file. However, even its latest version supports Outlook to the maximum of 2007 version, and not the ones released post that. For instance, Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007.
Pros | Cons |
Can recover attachments of extremely vast size and embedded HTML messages | Does not support Outlook 2010, 2013 & 2016 |
Supports both high encryption and compressed encryption PST file | Outdated regarding support for Outlook and Windows OS version |
Yodot Outlook PST Repair
Another software that can repair corrupt Outlook data file is Outlook PST Repair by the highly reliable data recovery company called Yodot.
It has a ‘Smart Scan’ option with the help of which it retrieves data from even the severely damaged PST. Moreover, it comes up with a message on the screen when the scanning process ends. The message reveals the number of each kind of data items that can be retrieved in the new Personal Folders file.
Pros | Cons |
Retrieves deleted emails in the new PST by default | Does not support Outlook 2016 |
Repairs Outlook OST file as well |
OutlookFIX - Cimaware Software’s
OutlookFIX from is yet another notable PST repair software that can repair Personal Folders file of Outlook version 2016, Outlook 2013 PST file, as well as supports all other versions. It is a flawless software at par with the Outlook’s Inbox Repair Tool. Moreover, it overcomes the limitations of the built-in tool called scanpst.exe.
Pst File Repair Tool Outlook 2013 Free Download
Pros | Cons |
Does not cause data loss | Password protected PST can be repaired only if it is not encrypted |
It is a 9001:2000 certified software | MS Outlook must be correctly configured to be able to run the tool Download artcut 2009. |
Scanpst
The Final Word
MS Outlook provides you the benefit of exchanging emails, storing contact information in Contacts, preparing notes through Notes component, scheduling your work through Tasks, etc. in your personal and professional life.
Fix Corrupted Outlook Pst File
Therefore, when its PST file gets damaged, or corrupt, and the stored data items turn inaccessible, these six recommended tools serve as alternatives to the built-in Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe). You can choose the one that best fits your needs and requirements.