How to increase the maximum size for PST-files and OST- files in Outlook

The size of the files always remains in the center of the process. So, the concern about the size of the OST files and PST files is obvious. As we know, the maximum recommended size for Non-Unicode PST file and OST file is 2 GB in all Outlook versions, and the maximum recommended size for Unicode PST file and OST file varies according to Outlook versions

• Outlook 97-2002 file size was limited to 2 GB and creates Non-Unicode (ANSI format) files.
• Outlook 2003 and 2007 were limited to 20 GB.
• Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 is limited to 50 GB.

But sometimes, due to ignorance of oversized OST and PST files, the working process gets inversely affected, and the file may get corrupted. At that time, by going through this way, the user can get rid of this.

As default size for the PST files and OST files is limited, and users wish to maximize the size. It can be done by the Registry value, which allows to maximize the size up to approx. 4PB (4096 TB) depends on Outlook Version. But the main question is...

How to increase the maximum size limit?

Via Registry, the size of files gets modified; increase, or decrease. But this method doesn’t apply to the Outlook 97-2002 versions' OST and PST files. Hence, PST files of ANSI format.

Via the Registry

For the increase in the maximum size of Outlook PST and OST files, the user has to create and set 2 values in the given location in the Registry:

• For Outlook 2003HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\PST
• For Outlook 2007HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\PST
• For Outlook 2010HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\PST
• For Outlook 2013HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\PST
• For Outlook 2016HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\PST

NOTE:The steps given below; applies to both PST and OST files.

For the successful implementation of the process; create or set the given DWORD values for Non-Unicode PST/OST files:

• MaxFileSize
• WarnFileSize

To execute the process successfully; create or set the following 2new DWORD values for UNICODE PST/OST files

• WarnLargeFileSize
• MaxLargeFileSize

The first value (WarnLargeFileSize) indicates that before getting the warning of the full file, how many MB a user can write to a PST file or OST file.

It gets noticed that for the best practice and genuine working, the difference between Warn Large File Size and Max Large File Size should be at least 5%. In case due to the oversize of files, if the corruption of PST files takes place, this is how you can repair and recover the corrupted PST files.

In the above example, the maximum size of PST files and OST files has been set to 105 GB with the warning at 98 GB.

For the increase in the maximum size of Outlook PST files and OST files, the user has to create and set 2 values in the given location in the Registry:

For a better understanding of configurations of Outlook versions; see the details given below:

For Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013 and 2010

For Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2003

What other options do users have?

For the increase in the maximum size for PST and OST, the above-described method is the best way. But if your focus concern is over-sized files which can inversely affect working or may lead to corruption, you also have the option to split or compress PST. Using Professionals way, users can split PST files as per their need, compress PST files, and reduce their size without any concern to get rid of oversized PST. Shoviv PST Management Suite is a multipurpose all-in-one software for PST that expertly handles all the tasks of PST. Download it and try its free trial/demo version to ensure the tool's working.

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