How to Reduce OST File Size Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003?
As a user creates his mailbox and keeps on piling data as he receives emails items frequently, then his MS Outlook mailbox tends to grow heavily in size. Many users face corruption issues with the large OST file, in such situations, they need to reduce OST file size.
In the UNICODE format, the size limitation is up to 50 GB and when this reaches, it apparently shows up that the OST file has become very large in size, whereas in the ANSI format, the file size can go up to even 2 GB.
Also, an unfortunate aspect is that if any data is deleted, there won’t be a considerable difference in the file size and it will not get reduced much in the proportion to that of the deleted volume. The reason for this is that it happens as the free space gets possessed by some white spaces thereafter. Still, there exist several methods that can help you to manage/reduce your OST file size.
Explaining OST File
OST file is the ditto of your MS Exchange mailbox, which is stored locally on your system whenever the Cached Mode in MS Exchange gets enabled. An OST file is formed in an automatic fashion through Outlook’s feature of the offline folders and becomes active whenever MS Exchange Server goes in offline mode. Whenever the internet connectivity is once again retained, these OST files get synched in an automatic way to your MS Exchange email account and all your email data get updated soon after.
Why OST Gets Too Big in Size?
The OST files contain all the data generated/ received since the time your account was created unless those items that might have been deleted by you. The data storage capacity of OST files depends on the Microsoft Outlook version being used/installed.
In Outlook 2002 or its previous versions, the file size limit is 2GB; whereas, in MS Outlook 2007 version, this default storage limit is 20GB. In Outlook 2010 & version later to it, the storage capacity is 50GB.
If, at some point in time, you are noticing that the OST file has become too big in size; then, it becomes an imperative task for you to manage your mailbox, else it might lead to OST corruption. Outsized OST files can make your mailboxes to be completely inaccessible, wherein, you won’t be able to access your any of your email items. To overcome these issues you need to compact OST file size. In the upcoming section, we will describe how you can reduce the mailbox size of OST in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003.
Recommendation – If your OST file already got corrupted due to the large mailbox size, then you need to use a tool for OST repair.
How to Compact or Reduce OST File Size?
- Delete those email items that you do not need any longer.
- Now, open the Folder List view.
- And then, click the icon for the Folder List there at the lower side of the appearing Navigation pane.
- After that, click the File tab.
- And then, click Account Settings.
- Now, select Account Settings
- And next to this, select that particular OST file which you need to reduce the size of under the Data Files tab.
- And after that, click Settings.
- Lastly, click Compact Now.
Another Way of Reducing OST File Size
- First, click the File tab.
- And then, click Cleanup Tools.
- After that, select Mailbox Cleanup.
- And next to this, you can do either of the below-mentioned steps:
Conclusion
If your OST file gets enormously and abnormally big, it might start affecting your system; and is also not a favorable thing for your Server as well. So, it is very important that you reduce OST file size and manage your mailbox regularly to make sure that your mailbox continues to function appropriately.
Reducing the OST file size would probably improve your mailbox and system performance. The above methods might seem good to use but some might be lengthy. So, a better workable alternative solution to fix corruption issues.
