Manually Split PST file in Outlook 2019/ 2016/ 2013/ 2010

Updated on December 02, 2022 by Henry Bray

In this blog, we will discuss all common reasons. Why do Outlook users want to split their PST files in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007? We will also tell you some effective and efficient methods - how can you split a PST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010? Please read the blog to the end, and I hope this will help you split PST files.

When the PST file size exceeds the maximum file size limit, this can lead to a chance of data loss and corruption in PST files in unfavorable situations. When PST files exceed the storage limit, Microsoft Outlook's operation is reduced, which may destroy your access to the mailbox, or you may also lose your data. The larger the PST size, this is a major cause for concern for Outlook users.

So, you must adopt a fairly common solution to maintain Outlook PST file size and control your system from running out of space. Theoretically, it sounds effortless when we say split the large files, but the process isn't so straightforward in practice. The manual method of splitting a PST file requires technical skills and unlimited time;

Reasons to Split large Outlook PST file

MS Outlook is used to store all their data files in PST file format, and the size of PST files grow steadily. Previously, a size limit was placed on PST files. The maximum size limit for PST was fixed to 2 GB only in MS Outlook 2000 and 2002. In MS Outlook 2003 and 2007, the limit was increased to 20 GB. After introducing versions 2010 and 2013, the limit was changed to 50 GB+ expendable. In Outlook 2016, the default PST file size restriction is 50GB, which can be expanded to 4 GB (4000 TB).

As a result, if a user uses MS Outlook 2002, which has a maximum storage limit of 2GB, the user will need to split PST into smaller files at regular intervals. The same is true for Outlook 2003 and 2007 versions of PST files, which enable a maximum size of 20 GB, resulting in a performance issue in Outlook.

It is a challenging task to manage oversized PST files because it slows down the performance of MS Outlook when you access your PST files. So that splitting oversized Outlook PST files into smaller parts is the best way to avoid such issues.

Sending and receiving activities on a large PST file might be time-consuming as well.

Before we get into the process of splitting a PST file, let's discuss why we need to split PST file?

As we have discussed, storage issues are a common reason for splitting PST files into smaller ones. Oversized PST files are always at the high risk of data corruption.

1) To enhance the work process, a heavy file will worsen the work.

2) To make the PST file usable when it becomes inaccessible due to excess data.

After much talk about these possible causes, let us now discuss some manual techniques by which you can easily solve the problem of splitting Large Outlook PST files in Outlook.

Manual Methods to Split PST File in Outlook

1st Method: By Using “Move to Folder Option”

Step 1: First of all launch MS Outlook to start the process.
Step 2: Click ‘File’ from the menu bar, and then → Account setting → Account setting.
Step 3: After that, click the "Data File" button at the same time click the "Add" button to add a new PST file and give it a unique name for comfort.
Step 4: Once you add the file, just go to "Home" and then open your Outlook profile old PST file. And select items to move to the newly created PST file.
Step 5: To move, click the "Move" button on the ribbon, and then click "Copy to Folder" on the wizard.
Step 6: Select the newly created PST file to move your selected items from the old PST file, and proceed.
Step 7: After transferring items to the new PST, just delete the copied items from the default PST file so that its size gets reduced.

2nd Method: With the help of Import and Export Options

As there are lots of manual solutions available for splitting your oversized Outlook PST file, in this sequence, let’s try another tricks to split large size PST files with the use of following given directions.

Step 1: At first, open Microsoft Outlook application, and then click 'File' → 'Open and Export' → 'Import/Export'.
Step 2: An 'Export and Import' wizard will open, choose "Export to a file" option, and go through with this by clicking 'Next' tab.
Step 3: Now, in the Export File window, you will see the "Outlook Data File (.pst) option, choose this and click 'Next'.
Step 4: go to the "Export Outlook Data File" wizard, and then choose "folders to export and export subfolders" → "Include sub-folders" option.
Step 5: Now, to select the location to save the exported file, select the "Browse" tab, as well as duplicate items to stop exporting, click "Do not display copy items".
Step 6: Finally, set a password for the PST file that was exported, or you can cancel the password setting option.
After this step you can create a new PST file. Was it difficult? Let’s move on to the next method.

3rd Method: By Archive Wizard PST Size Reduce

Through this Archive Wizard method, we can also achieve the goal of split large PST file in Outlook. Follow the step by step procedure listed below:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Outlook, as usual, follow the given navigation, 'file' → 'Information' → 'Cleaning Tools' → Archive…
Step 2: Then select the desired archive folder, select the date before you want the archive.
Step 3: In parallel with the second step, click the "Browse" button to save and specify a name such as "New PST File".
Step 4: At the end, just click the "OK" button to confirm. The newly made PST file will be created at the desired location. The goal of reducing the PST file size will be completed after this process.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods:

As far as we have many methods through which we can split PST file in various versions of Outlook. But practically is neither so easy nor safe. Let's consider the disadvantages of the following manual methods:

Time-consuming and lengthy process
Does not guarantee data security and integrity
Is more likely to cause data loss
You cannot blindly rely on this technique to split your PST file
Needs lots of technical knowledge to run this manual process
Doing the task is not easy, at any time you can lose the command in the process

So, what to do?:

Prevent all problems related to manual methods; by choosing a smart automated Split PST File tool, i.e. Regain PST Splitter software. Users can go to Regain PST Splitter software, which is technologically advanced with a sophisticated algorithm, to break large sized PST files into small and manageable size. It offers several handy features, like:

Free Download100% Secure Buy Nowinstant delivery

Splits PST files into small size with no fear of losing data
Split any size of large PST file completely within in fewer steps
Allows splitting of Outlook PST files by different criteria such as split by size, split by folder, Split by date, Split by year
No PST files size restriction and also support corrupted or Offline PST
The tool supports to divide both ANSI PST and UNICODE PST file
Automatically split large Outlook PST files with password-protection
Splits PST files and generate a new PST file while retaining all the Meta properties of entire emails
Designed with Graphical User Interface that works on all versions of Outlook

After reading the above features, it can be easily said that Split PST file software has everything one professional want. So to split PST file in Outlook 2019 and other versions, this Regain PST Splitter is one of the best choices among the users to split their huge Outlook PST files.

Related Software: Looking for a software to merge multiple Outlook PST Files in single pst file. Click Here

How Software Works?:

Step 1: Download, install, and launch Regain PST Split software. The welcome screen of the software appears.
Step 2: Click Browse PST File to select desired Outlook PST file which you want to split. Click Next.
Step 3: Select the given option to split PST file –
- Split PST by Size – Specify the PST file size in MB
- Split by Date – Specify the Start Date and End Date.
- Split by Contain By – Specify the Message Contain in fields From, To, Cc, Bcc, or Subject.
Click Next.
Step 4: Click Browse to select the destination path where you want to save the split PST files.
Step 5: Click Next to initiate the Split PST file process.
The software displays the Split Progress status.

On completion, the software displays the success message.

Conclusion:

This article discusses the need to split large-sized Outlook PST file andvarious manual methods on how to manually split MS Outlook PST file for Outlook versions Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, and Outlook 2010. Since manual methods have some limitations, we strongly recommend using a professional third-party PST Split tool. Moreover, the tool is available as a free demo version to let you check its capabilities before you decide to purchase the full license.