How do I reduce the size of a pst file if i cannot open it?

I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another pc which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and replaced it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max limit and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another pc which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and replaced
it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max limit and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper

Thanks for pointing me to that; I shall try that now!!

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another pc which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and replaced
it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max limit and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper

Many thanks Roady, but 1 more question if I may

I got there in the end; I downloaded the tool to reduce the file size of the
oputlook folder below 2gb. It chops off some of the file then you have to
use the scan.pst inbox repair tool to repair the file.

After several attempts, this worked and I was able to get into the file and
delete thousands of old messages and dozens of files with attachments ranging
from 20mb to all files with attachments over 1/2 mb. .

I had expected this to at least halve the file size, but in fact it was
still 1.9gb when I copied it back to the original computer.

Ok so this now works ok, but I may go over the limit again despite having
cleared out all the stuff that made it go over the limit in the first place.

Is there something else I need to do (eg some form of defrag of the file) to
get it back to something that reflects the number and size of files within??


"Jesper Audi" wrote:

Thanks for pointing me to that; I shall try that now!!

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another pc which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and replaced
it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max limit and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper

Yes, you can compact it;
right click the root of the folder (usually Outlook Today)- Properties-
button Advanced- Compact Now...

If you have deleted a lot this could take a long while (even hours). If you
are running Outlook 2003 you can create a new pst-file which has a virtual
unlimited size (by default limited to 20GB but this can be extended).

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
Many thanks Roady, but 1 more question if I may

I got there in the end; I downloaded the tool to reduce the file size of
the
oputlook folder below 2gb. It chops off some of the file then you have to
use the scan.pst inbox repair tool to repair the file.

After several attempts, this worked and I was able to get into the file
and
delete thousands of old messages and dozens of files with attachments
ranging
from 20mb to all files with attachments over 1/2 mb. .

I had expected this to at least halve the file size, but in fact it was
still 1.9gb when I copied it back to the original computer.

Ok so this now works ok, but I may go over the limit again despite having
cleared out all the stuff that made it go over the limit in the first
place.

Is there something else I need to do (eg some form of defrag of the file)
to
get it back to something that reflects the number and size of files
within??


"Jesper Audi" wrote:

Thanks for pointing me to that; I shall try that now!!

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another pc
which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and
replaced
it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max limit
and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper

Many thanks
Jesper



"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

Yes, you can compact it;
right click the root of the folder (usually Outlook Today)- Properties-
button Advanced- Compact Now...

If you have deleted a lot this could take a long while (even hours). If you
are running Outlook 2003 you can create a new pst-file which has a virtual
unlimited size (by default limited to 20GB but this can be extended).

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
Many thanks Roady, but 1 more question if I may

I got there in the end; I downloaded the tool to reduce the file size of
the
oputlook folder below 2gb. It chops off some of the file then you have to
use the scan.pst inbox repair tool to repair the file.

After several attempts, this worked and I was able to get into the file
and
delete thousands of old messages and dozens of files with attachments
ranging
from 20mb to all files with attachments over 1/2 mb. .

I had expected this to at least halve the file size, but in fact it was
still 1.9gb when I copied it back to the original computer.

Ok so this now works ok, but I may go over the limit again despite having
cleared out all the stuff that made it go over the limit in the first
place.

Is there something else I need to do (eg some form of defrag of the file)
to
get it back to something that reflects the number and size of files
within??


"Jesper Audi" wrote:

Thanks for pointing me to that; I shall try that now!!

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another pc
which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and
replaced
it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max limit
and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper

Roady:

I'm liking the 20GB size for the .pst file. I"m not clear on how you make
this happen. I'm using Outlook '07.

Thanks!
JSS

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:


If you have deleted a lot this could take a long while (even hours). If you
are running Outlook 2003 you can create a new pst-file which has a virtual
unlimited size (by default limited to 20GB but this can be extended).

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
Many thanks Roady, but 1 more question if I may

I got there in the end; I downloaded the tool to reduce the file size of
the
oputlook folder below 2gb. It chops off some of the file then you have to
use the scan.pst inbox repair tool to repair the file.

After several attempts, this worked and I was able to get into the file
and
delete thousands of old messages and dozens of files with attachments
ranging
from 20mb to all files with attachments over 1/2 mb. .

I had expected this to at least halve the file size, but in fact it was
still 1.9gb when I copied it back to the original computer.

Ok so this now works ok, but I may go over the limit again despite having
cleared out all the stuff that made it go over the limit in the first
place.

Is there something else I need to do (eg some form of defrag of the file)
to
get it back to something that reflects the number and size of files
within??


"Jesper Audi" wrote:

Thanks for pointing me to that; I shall try that now!!

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another pc
which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and
replaced
it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max limit
and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper

File, New, outlook data file. DO NOT choose the Outlook 97-2002 pst format.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Need Help with Common Tasks? http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/
Outlook 2007: http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/ol2007/

Outlook Tips by email:


Exchange Messaging Outlook newsletter:


Outlook Tips: http://www.outlook-tips.net/
Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center: http://www.slipstick.com

You can access this newsgroup by visiting
http://www.microsoft.com/office/comm...s/default.mspx or point your
newsreader to msnews.microsoft.com.


"JohnSS" wrote in message
news
Roady:

I'm liking the 20GB size for the .pst file. I"m not clear on how you make
this happen. I'm using Outlook '07.

Thanks!
JSS

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:


If you have deleted a lot this could take a long while (even hours). If
you
are running Outlook 2003 you can create a new pst-file which has a
virtual
unlimited size (by default limited to 20GB but this can be extended).

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
Many thanks Roady, but 1 more question if I may

I got there in the end; I downloaded the tool to reduce the file size
of
the
oputlook folder below 2gb. It chops off some of the file then you have
to
use the scan.pst inbox repair tool to repair the file.

After several attempts, this worked and I was able to get into the file
and
delete thousands of old messages and dozens of files with attachments
ranging
from 20mb to all files with attachments over 1/2 mb. .

I had expected this to at least halve the file size, but in fact it was
still 1.9gb when I copied it back to the original computer.

Ok so this now works ok, but I may go over the limit again despite
having
cleared out all the stuff that made it go over the limit in the first
place.

Is there something else I need to do (eg some form of defrag of the
file)
to
get it back to something that reflects the number and size of files
within??


"Jesper Audi" wrote:

Thanks for pointing me to that; I shall try that now!!

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in
message
...
I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another
pc
which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and
replaced
it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max
limit
and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper

You mean expand it beyond the 20GB?
See http://www.msoutlook.info/question/99

You might want to ask yourself if you really want this though. While
responsiveness of Outlook isn't really an issue anymore after the February
2009 Cumulative Update (I highly recommend you to install it with a pst-file
that big), you might still run into practical limitations with a file that
big. Also backup/restore time might be quite high for you but if that isn't
an issue to you either; the registry edit should do the trick for you :-)

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

http://www.msoutlook.info/
Real World Questions, Real World Answers

-----

"JohnSS" wrote in message
news
Roady:

I'm liking the 20GB size for the .pst file. I"m not clear on how you make
this happen. I'm using Outlook '07.

Thanks!
JSS

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:


If you have deleted a lot this could take a long while (even hours). If
you
are running Outlook 2003 you can create a new pst-file which has a
virtual
unlimited size (by default limited to 20GB but this can be extended).

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
Many thanks Roady, but 1 more question if I may

I got there in the end; I downloaded the tool to reduce the file size
of
the
oputlook folder below 2gb. It chops off some of the file then you have
to
use the scan.pst inbox repair tool to repair the file.

After several attempts, this worked and I was able to get into the file
and
delete thousands of old messages and dozens of files with attachments
ranging
from 20mb to all files with attachments over 1/2 mb. .

I had expected this to at least halve the file size, but in fact it was
still 1.9gb when I copied it back to the original computer.

Ok so this now works ok, but I may go over the limit again despite
having
cleared out all the stuff that made it go over the limit in the first
place.

Is there something else I need to do (eg some form of defrag of the
file)
to
get it back to something that reflects the number and size of files
within??


"Jesper Audi" wrote:

Thanks for pointing me to that; I shall try that now!!

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in
message
...
I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another
pc
which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and
replaced
it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max
limit
and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper

Sorry - I should have been more clear. I don't want a file that big. Just
want one that has a bit more space. (2x the norm?)

I really don't mess with the registry stuff. Not my forte' and the other
recommendation looked good but it was a bit too criptic for me.

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

You mean expand it beyond the 20GB?
See http://www.msoutlook.info/question/99

You might want to ask yourself if you really want this though. While
responsiveness of Outlook isn't really an issue anymore after the February
2009 Cumulative Update (I highly recommend you to install it with a pst-file
that big), you might still run into practical limitations with a file that
big. Also backup/restore time might be quite high for you but if that isn't
an issue to you either; the registry edit should do the trick for you :-)

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

http://www.msoutlook.info/
Real World Questions, Real World Answers

-----

"JohnSS" wrote in message
news
Roady:

I'm liking the 20GB size for the .pst file. I"m not clear on how you make
this happen. I'm using Outlook '07.

Thanks!
JSS

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:


If you have deleted a lot this could take a long while (even hours). If
you
are running Outlook 2003 you can create a new pst-file which has a
virtual
unlimited size (by default limited to 20GB but this can be extended).

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in message
...
Many thanks Roady, but 1 more question if I may

I got there in the end; I downloaded the tool to reduce the file size
of
the
oputlook folder below 2gb. It chops off some of the file then you have
to
use the scan.pst inbox repair tool to repair the file.

After several attempts, this worked and I was able to get into the file
and
delete thousands of old messages and dozens of files with attachments
ranging
from 20mb to all files with attachments over 1/2 mb. .

I had expected this to at least halve the file size, but in fact it was
still 1.9gb when I copied it back to the original computer.

Ok so this now works ok, but I may go over the limit again despite
having
cleared out all the stuff that made it go over the limit in the first
place.

Is there something else I need to do (eg some form of defrag of the
file)
to
get it back to something that reflects the number and size of files
within??


"Jesper Audi" wrote:

Thanks for pointing me to that; I shall try that now!!

"Roady [MVP]" wrote:

See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296088

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

-----
"Jesper Audi" wrote in
message
...
I am trying to reduce the size of an outlook pst file from another
pc
which
is over 2gb and moved my own outlook.pst of the normal folder and
replaced
it
this big one.

It tells me it will not display correctly as it is over the max
limit
and
asks me to delete some files so that it will be below the limit.

Is there anyway I can do this?

Thanks Jesper