Outlook 2003 .pst limit question

[cbailey]

I have a user that has reached his limit (2GB), at least that's what Outlook is telling me. I noticed when files and messages were deleted; the PST file grows instead of getting smaller. Does anyone know why?

 

[Digitalcandy]

Without getting technical, databases grow no matter what you do. If you want to decrease the size of the .pst file, you must "compact" it.

 

[godcom]

There is a fix from MS that can reduce the size of overlimit PST files, it removes messages until the PST is below the size limit

 

[cbailey]

The only way I was able to delete, was to ctrl+del keys only. This stops them from going to the deleted folder. After deleting a bunch this way, I compacted the database and everything is better now.

I was reading that there is a way to get around this limit, but the procedure was confusing to me. Anyone hear about this?

Thanks for all you help.

 

[jasimpson]

Hi,

The 2Gb limit is for Outlook 97 to 2002 format PST files, Outlook 2003 format PST files can go up to over 20Gb, see here -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;830336

So basically, the user must be accessing a old format PST file. Probably the best way to get around the limit on this old file is to create a new 2003 format PST file and then use Import / Export to copy the data from the old file to the new. You can then set the new file as the default mail delivery folder and use this instead.

Apparently you can also use regedit to modify the registry entries associated with the file size limits :-

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;832925

but I have never tried doing this so i'd be careful.

Hope this helps.

J.