Can't Start Outlook with Oversized PST

Microsoft Outlook 2002 and versions earlier to it limit the Outlook PST file size to 2 GB. If the file size reaches this value or exceeds it, you may fail to load or open it. At times, you cannot add more data to such file. The problem is described as PST 2 GB problem. To bring some differences in such situations, Microsoft provides pst2gb tool. But it truncates the file rather reducing its original size. Microsoft also provides different service packs that enable Outlook to stop accepting any data after the file reaches to 2 GB. Though this prevents the file from being oversized, but you can hardly perform any mail related operations, such as to create calendars, save appointments, send or receive emails etc. Unless you remove large amount of data from or reduce its overall size, the problem continues. Once suggested trick to accomplish this is to Split PST File using third-party tools.

For example, consider a situation when you try to start Microsoft Outlook 2002 or an earlier version. The application may fail to start with no notice or some errors, such as it cannot open the default mail folders.

Cause

The above symtoms can occur if you are using an oversized .pst file as your default mail delivery location.

Such problems are not encountered in Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007 since these versions support Unicode format. Therefore, the default file size limitation of .pst file is 20 GB, which is much larger than its earlier limit.

Solution

You can these methods to overcome the described file oversize issue:

1-You can upgrade your ANSI formatted file to new Unicode format in Outlook 2003 or higher version.
2-If this fails, you can use pst2gb tool. But this is not a preferred method as you lose some data permanently while file truncation.
3-You can Split PST to obtain several smaller .pst files. In this operation, each file contains a part of original PST, but is less than 2 GB in size value. Split PST File software can safely divide a large .pst file, where each file is directly usable with Outlook.

PST File Splitter is a well-known product for splitting large sized PST file with safest results. The Split PST software can divide the file on the basis of sender's email ID and date. The interface of software is quite interactive with Outlook resembling 3-view structure. It supports Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000.

Unknown Error in Messaging Interface of Outlook

A large sized PST can introduce several performance issues for Outlook. Also, such files are more prone to corruption due to their file size limitation. Microsoft Outlook exhibits unusual behavior and momentarily stops responding while typical mail operations when its PST grows large in size . Thus, to reduce, though not totally eliminate, the impact of large PST, Outlook 2003 brings in a new data structure for these files. However, performance and operational issue still persist. To solve them, you are suggested to split PST into several smaller .pst files.

For instance, you might receive the below error code while normal operations with Microsoft Outlook:

“The messaging interface has returned an unknown error. If the problem persists, start Outlook again.”

This error is typically encountered when you try checking for a new email message, creating or deleting a Calendar entry, deleting an item from Inbox and Contacts or sending a fax. These operations fail after you receive this error message.

Cause

The error occurs typically with a large PST file size. If the PST has crossed the built-in size limit, it may create the situations, such as described above.

Solution

You should consider applying these suggestions to isolate the given problem:

1-Microsoft Outlook includes a feature called 'Allow upgrade to large tables' that you can use to increase the limit enforced on number of messages contained in a folder and number of folders contained in a file of PST
2-Reduce the PST file size by emptying the Deleted Items folder
3-You can create a new PST file and import your messages from the original PST file
4-Use third-party PST File Splitter utilities that could split the large size .pst file into several smaller .pst files

Split PST utilities are feature-rich applications that use systematic approach to divide a large PST file. These software are quite easy to use because of the interactive design they provide. Such tools serve as suitable applications for creating smaller .pst files from a single PST. Moreover, they are safe to use and perform non-destructive operations.

PST File Splitter is a high-end tool known for splitting a PST file into multiple .pst files. The tool uses advanced, yet safe, algorithms. It is a secure PST File Splitter that provides easy to understand view and powerful features. The tools allows splitting the file via two criteria: by e-mail ID and by date. It supports Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000.

PST Size Unaffected after Archiving or Deleting Emails

The best practice to prevent Outlook PST from corruption, avoid performance issues and conserve hard disk space is to delete unwanted email messages. You can also archive the file, which typically serves as the backup process for your old emails. At times, you observe that though you apply these measures, but the overall PST size remains unaffected. As a result, the problem you were encountering before deleting or archiving the email messages doesn’t fix. The reason for this could that you haven’t compacted the file. However, rather than deleting or archiving the PST contents, you can simply choose Split PST software that split a PST file into several smaller .pst files without any modification to original data.For example, suppose your Outlook PST file reaches approximately to its maximum size value. Consequently, you decide to empty the Deleted Items folder, remove unimportant emails and items and/or archive your PST file. You check the file size and observe that none of these methods have effect on the total file size of PST. The file size stays the same.

Cause

The above behavior occurs when you don’t compact the target PST file. Outlook doesn’t free up the actual space until you compact it.

Solution

You should compact the PST file manually or by running automatic background compaction. The PST to be compacted must be equal to or greater than 16 KB in size value and must have 16 KB of free space since the last compaction.

Background compaction runs automatically once it finds CPU free of other tasks and Outlook running. However, to start the process manually, you should click File | Data File Management and select your PST file. You can then click its Settings | General | Compact Now and click OK.

To reduce the PST file size, one of the easiest method is to Split PST File. This is possible using third-party tools designed to use safe procedures that can split an Outlook PST file. Split PST utilities provide you graphically rich look and advanced options that enable easy file split.

PST File Splitter is a comprehensive tool that splits a large .pst file on the basis of sender’s email ID and date. It is compatible with Outlook 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000. It is an advanced Split PST File utility that ensures complete security of your data. The tool is competent to split the file into various small .pst files, each usable directly with Outlook.

How to Solve when Outlook PST Stops Receiving Emails?

Split Pst File - Outlook 2002 and prior versions have a default file size limitation for .pst files of 2 GB. But its later versions come with a unique UNICODE format for PST that sets its size limit to default value of 20 GB. The files are less prone to corruption as a result. But you can still face several issues when using its earlier Outlook versions. However, the best practice would be to upgrade your Outlook. If the PST has grown large, you can mange it by deleting the unwanted emails or by archiving the file. But these are not advanced ways to reduce the .pst file size. Alternatively, you can perform PST Split by using safe third-party software.

Consider a scenario when you try to send or receive an email item in Outlook. At this point, Outlook might simply refuse to perform the specific email operation without any notification or error. This behavior is typically encountered when you use standard edition of Outlook 2002.

Cause

Outlook PST files that reach 2 GB file size value are quite prone to corruption. Thus, to prevent the issue from occurring, Outlook 2002 limits this size to approximately 1.82 GB, i.e. less than 2 GB with a new feature. The above error occurs when PST reaches this size value and becomes full.

In standard edition, only email delivery stops and no warning message is generated. However, you can install Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 1 or later. After this, you will be notified against why the email delivery has stopped.

Solution

You can try these suggestions to solve the given problem:

1-You can delete the extra and unwanted email items from all Outlook folders. You should also empty the 'Deleted Items' folder

2-Compacting the .pst file can also help you to remove the wasted space

3-You can create a new .pst file and move the email items to reduce the overall size of original PST

4-There are several PST File Splitter applications that can help you in this course. Such tools provide you interactive design plus safe PST Split mechanism that can split the PST file into several smaller .pst files.

PST File Splitter is an advanced utility that can split a large .pst file on the basis of sender's email ID or date. It is a comprehensive PST File Splitter that ensures complete safety of your data. The tool is fully-competent to split the file into various small .pst files, each usable with Outlook. It is compatible with Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000.

How to Solve Error 'Unknown Error 0x8004060C ' in Outlook?

Outlook 2002 and prior versions limit the PST file size to 2 GB. The file, which goes beyond this limit gains fair chances of being corrupted. But Outlook 2002 includes a new feature, due to which the .pst file stops accepting email messages, much before the file could reach to 2 GB. This feature limits the .pst file size to be lesser than 2 GB in value, approximately 1.82 GB. When the .pst file is full, the Outlook will also stop receiving or sending email messages to prevent corruption. Thus, to solve the issue, you will need to compact, archive or Split PST.

To illustrate, suppose you use Outlook 2002 that is installed on Windows XP-based system. You might receive the below error message in Outlook Send/Receive dialog box:

“Task 'Microsoft Exchange Server - Receiving' reported error (0x8004060C): 'Unknown Error 0x8004060C'”

Also, when you try to add a .pst file object, such as Contact, Appointment or Task, you can receive this error message:

“The file has reached its maximum size. To reduce the amount of data in this file, select some items that you no longer need, then permanently (shift + del) delete them.”

These errors are specifically encountered when you are using Windows XP SP1 or later versions. Computer using earlier version simply stops accepting email messages without displaying any error.

Cause

The .pst file is full and is approximately 1.82 GB in size.

Solution

You need to reduce the overall .pst file size by using any of the below methods:

1-You can delete the unwanted email and other items from .pst file. You must empty the Deleted Items folder

2-If the issue persists, you can compact the file that can help to reduce its size

3-Alternatively, you can create a new .pst file and archive the email items to it

4-You can also use a powerful PST File Splitter that could split your .pst file into several .pst files. These software perform Split PST operation by using advanced and safe techniques.

PST File Splitter is a powerful application designed to provide safe .pst file split. It is a safe PST File Splitter that can split the Outlook .pst file into different small .pst files, each usable with Outlook. You can split the .pst file on the basis of sender's email ID or date. It supports Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000.