Browse All Articles > Know How to Solve Outlook Oversized OST File Problem
The article gives a brief summary of the issues generated due to oversize problem of OST file. In addition, the probable solutions, which enable to solve the issue, have also been discussed.
Outlook OST Files
Offline Storage Table aka OST files are one of the core file formats of MS Outlook. While PST file stores the complete Outlook data, OST file comes into existence when Outlook is used in collaboration with Exchange server. It is rightly referred as the replica of the data that resides on the Exchange server.
Though the structure and functionality of the OST file differs from the other file types, one thing remains the same. Similar to other files, OST files too have a certain pre-defined size limit, that when exceeded, might give rise to a number of issues.
Issues Due To Increased Size Of OST File
The predefined size limit of ANSI OST file is 2 GB, for UNICODE OST file for Outlook 2007 is 20 GB, and for Outlook 2010 and 2013 is 50 GB. When an OST file exceeds this predefined size limits, certain performance issues can be observed in Outlook. In case these issues persist, it can lead to corruption of the OST file. When the number of mails increases in the OST file, the user might delete few of the in order to free up some space. However, technically speaking, this does not free up the file because the deleted emails get stored in the Deleted Items folder and thus reside in the same OST file.
Difference between Mailbox and OST File Size
An increased OST file size does not always imply that the factor responsible for it is the increased mailbox size. Even though, the mailbox data does constitute the majority part in the OST file, there can also be additional data present in the OST file. In Outlook 2010 and previous versions, the size of OST file can be 20-30% larger than the mailbox size. This can be a result of storage deficiency or issue in calculating the mailbox size from Exchange part.
How To Safeguard Against OST Oversizing
In order to save your OST file from exceeding the defined size limit, you can keep in mind the below mentioned points and can optimize the size of your OST file:
Methods to Solve Outlook OST File Oversized Problem
The above-mentioned methods will only work for you when you need to save your OST file from getting oversized. In case your OST file has already crossed the size limit, other methods that can be used are:
1. Rename OST File
Sometimes, the OST file may pose issues in performing normal operations in Outlook like sending, receiving, opening, etc. This issue can be resolved by renaming your OST file. Just rename your OST file, restart Outlook and you are good to go.
2. Run Outlook In Safe Mode
Running Outlook in safe mode may resolve the common issues that are experienced by you due to OST file.
3. Recreate Your Outlook Profile
Since you are using Outlook with Exchange server in order to work with OST files, therefore you will need to delete the current Outlook profile and e-create it.
4. Disable The Add-Ons
While working with Outlook, there might be some add-ons that might be hampering and disrupting its normal functioning. In such cases, it is better to disable the add-ons installed in Outlook.
5. Archive OST File Data
Archiving OST file data in a new file may help in emptying the space occupied on the server. This ensures that the data stored on the server does not cross the pre-defined size limit. The archive file can be saved at any desirable location on the user machine.
6. Disable Anti-Virus
In case none of the above issues works out for you and your Outlook performance is still the same, then try disabling the anti-virus and firewall present in your system. Disable them on a temporary basis and see of this makes any difference to Outlook performance.
Conclusion
We believe that by now you might have been well acquainted with the reasons that lead to oversize issue in Outlook OST files. You can save Outlook from experiencing oversize OST file issues by following the safeguard methods provided. However, in case the OST file has already gone overboard, then try out the remedial measures discussed in the above section.
Though the structure and functionality of the OST file differs from the other file types, one thing remains the same. Similar to other files, OST files too have a certain pre-defined size limit, that when exceeded, might give rise to a number of issues.
Issues Due To Increased Size Of OST File
The predefined size limit of ANSI OST file is 2 GB, for UNICODE OST file for Outlook 2007 is 20 GB, and for Outlook 2010 and 2013 is 50 GB. When an OST file exceeds this predefined size limits, certain performance issues can be observed in Outlook. In case these issues persist, it can lead to corruption of the OST file. When the number of mails increases in the OST file, the user might delete few of the in order to free up some space. However, technically speaking, this does not free up the file because the deleted emails get stored in the Deleted Items folder and thus reside in the same OST file.
- Unable to open or load the OST file data.
- Unable to add any new data to the existing OST file.
- Failure in synchronizing the OST file with Exchange server.
Difference between Mailbox and OST File Size
An increased OST file size does not always imply that the factor responsible for it is the increased mailbox size. Even though, the mailbox data does constitute the majority part in the OST file, there can also be additional data present in the OST file. In Outlook 2010 and previous versions, the size of OST file can be 20-30% larger than the mailbox size. This can be a result of storage deficiency or issue in calculating the mailbox size from Exchange part.
How To Safeguard Against OST Oversizing
In order to save your OST file from exceeding the defined size limit, you can keep in mind the below mentioned points and can optimize the size of your OST file:
- Delete all the unwanted items from different folders of your OST file.
- Hard delete the items you do not require. In addition, empty the Deleted Items Folder in order to get rid of the deleted messages permanently.
- Compact the size of your OST file.
Methods to Solve Outlook OST File Oversized Problem
The above-mentioned methods will only work for you when you need to save your OST file from getting oversized. In case your OST file has already crossed the size limit, other methods that can be used are:
1. Rename OST File
Sometimes, the OST file may pose issues in performing normal operations in Outlook like sending, receiving, opening, etc. This issue can be resolved by renaming your OST file. Just rename your OST file, restart Outlook and you are good to go.
2. Run Outlook In Safe Mode
Running Outlook in safe mode may resolve the common issues that are experienced by you due to OST file.
3. Recreate Your Outlook Profile
Since you are using Outlook with Exchange server in order to work with OST files, therefore you will need to delete the current Outlook profile and e-create it.
4. Disable The Add-Ons
While working with Outlook, there might be some add-ons that might be hampering and disrupting its normal functioning. In such cases, it is better to disable the add-ons installed in Outlook.
5. Archive OST File Data
Archiving OST file data in a new file may help in emptying the space occupied on the server. This ensures that the data stored on the server does not cross the pre-defined size limit. The archive file can be saved at any desirable location on the user machine.
6. Disable Anti-Virus
In case none of the above issues works out for you and your Outlook performance is still the same, then try disabling the anti-virus and firewall present in your system. Disable them on a temporary basis and see of this makes any difference to Outlook performance.
Conclusion
We believe that by now you might have been well acquainted with the reasons that lead to oversize issue in Outlook OST files. You can save Outlook from experiencing oversize OST file issues by following the safeguard methods provided. However, in case the OST file has already gone overboard, then try out the remedial measures discussed in the above section.
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Comments (3)
Commented:
Commented:
@ECHO OFF
TASKKILL /F /IM "outlook.exe"
TASKKILL /F /IM "communicator.exe"
TASKKILL /F /IM "UcMapi.exe"
Timeout /T 5 /NOBREAK
attrib -H "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\*.*
del "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\*.o
del "%userprofile%\AppData\Loc
del "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\*.t
del "%userprofile%\AppData\Loc
del "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\*.o
del "%userprofile%\AppData\Loc
del "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\*.i
del "%userprofile%\AppData\Loc
del "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\*.x
del "%userprofile%\AppData\Loc
rd /s /q "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Off
rd /s /q "%userprofile%\AppData\Loc
rd /s /q "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Roa
rd /s /q "%userprofile%\AppData\Loc
EXIT
Commented:
Refer this article for more information: http://recover-email.blogspot.com/2014/04/how-to-tackle-oversized-ost-file-issues.html