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Convert .pst file to something that doesn't have the 2GB size limit

Hello Experts

I have a client with a .pst file that is more than bursting at the seams. His OS is Windows 7 so I can install Live Mail, but that's only good until Windows 7 goes away. So I've opted for Thunderbird. But I'm not finding good information about importing his email.

I guess another possibility is to use Live Mail for now and see how it converts with the mail program in Windows 10. Has anyone made that transition?

Thanks

thedslguy

SOLUTION

yo_bee

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ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Lee W, MVP

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thedslguy

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yo_bee and Lee W

Well, this is new information. He is using Outlook 2007, but I had always been under the impression that the .pst file had a 2GB restriction. So this means that his issue is something else.

I'm going to close the question and share the points, because I can likely fix it and not have to install something else.

Thank you both tor the prompt responses

thedslguy

Lee W, MVP

It is POSSIBLE the PST was created under 2002 or earlier versions of outlook - newer versions will read the older files and the older files are still subject to the limit. Older files cannot be converted, but you can create a new file (which will be unicode) and then copy the contents of the old file into the new file.

Alan

Hi,

I would suggest making a backup of the existing PST file immediately, then copying all the emails to a new PST file that you create in Outlook 2007 (or later, but you mention they are using Outlook 2007).

Over time the PST file might have become corrupt, and whilst you can try to fix those issues with ScanPST (for example), it is likely best to create a new one. It might take an hour or so to copy everything over (if they are at or near 2GB, and depending on the specs of the hardware involved), but generally that is no big deal.

Alan.