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How to Split Outlook PST File into Smaller Parts?

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Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On March 21st, 2024
Reading Time 8 Min Read

This write-up is going to explain the complete methods to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts without losing any data. Here you will get the complete information to break PST into smaller files using manual and professional methods.

When we talk about Outlook email clients, then the first name that comes to our mind is PST, which stands for personal storage table to store Outlook profile data including emails, contacts, calendars, notes, journals, etc.

What You Will Find Here? Hide
  1. Why Split Large PST File into Multiple Smaller Parts?
  2. Steps to Split Outlook PST File into Smaller Parts
  3. How to Separate Outlook PST File into Smaller Parts? 3 Best Methods
  4. Method 1: Split PST File into Smaller Parts with Import/Export
  5. Method 2: Using the Archive Option in Outlook
  6. Drawbacks of Manual Methods
  7. Method 3: Split Outlook PST File into Smaller Parts Professionally
  8. Common Asked Questions
  9. Time to Say Goodbye

But what next happens, is when you realize that your PST file has reached the maximum size and you have to increase PST file size in Outlook, due to which you are facing several problems. To solve these problems, here you will get the complete guide to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts.

Why Split Large PST File into Multiple Smaller Parts?

There are many situations come which compel users to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts. Some of the reasons are mentioned below in detail:

  • Increase Outlook Performance: This is the most common problem when you have an Oversized size of PST files which makes Outlook slower. Also, you will face errors while logging into your Outlook account, and your Outlook will hang.
  • Avoid the Risk of Corruption: Corruption is the most common problem with PST files, if your PST file has reached the maximum size then can you split large PST file into multiple smaller parts to avoid the risk of corruption and data loss.
  • Easy to Share: Users can easily share the small PSD file with others, it takes very little time.
  • Backup & Recovery: Smaller PST files are a more convenient way to recover and back up. It took less for backup & recovery. In case your data is lost then you can easily recover your smaller parts rather than Oversize PST file.

Steps to Split Outlook PST File into Smaller Parts

  • Step 1: Install and run the software.
  • Step 2: Upload your needed PST files.
  • Step 3: Check the box for needed data.
  • Step 4: Choose the location to save results.
  • Step 5: Select the Split Option as needed.
  • Step 6: Split icon to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts.

If you want to know more about these steps, then follow the method 3. The mentioned advanced solution is the best way to accomplish this task.

How to Separate Outlook PST File into Smaller Parts? 3 Best Methods

Here we are going to mention manual methods with limitations and expert solutions with advanced features. Choose the methods that suit your needs best:

Method 1: Split PST File into Smaller Parts with Import/Export

  1. Open an Outlook account.
  2. Click on the File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export option.

    File >> Open & Export

  3. Choose Export to a File >> Next button to continue the process.

    Export to a File

  4. Choose the Outlook Data File (.PST) option from the list.

    Outlook Data File (.PST)

  5. Select the folders that you want to separate or split.

    Select the folders

  6. Browse the location to save your split file and save it with a new folder name.

    split Outlook PST file into smaller parts

  7. Lastly, click on the Finish button to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts.

Now you have to repeat the same procedure, again and again for each folder or data. After the completed process, you will have your Outlook profile data in multiple smaller parts.

Method 2: Using the Archive Option in Outlook

Follow these steps to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts at once in Outlook 2021, 2019, and, 2016:

Important Note: If your profile belongs to an Exchange server account then the Archive and Auto Archive options will not be available. In this case, you have to contact your administrator for help.

  1. Open your Microsoft Outlook and click on the File tab
  2. Select the Info tab and hit the “Cleanup old items” option.

    Cleanup old items

  3. choose the folder you want to archive.
  4. In the “Archive Items Older Than” box select a date and hit the browse button to select the location to save your archive folder.

    Archive Items Older Than

  5. Repeat the same process again and again for other PST files by different data ranges.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

  1. If your Outlook profile is corrupted or you have corrupted damages, and an inaccessible PST file, then manual methods will not work.
  2. Outlook installation is a must-have.
  3. Users can not split bulk PST files at once, they have to repeat the process again and again for each PST file.

Method 3: Split Outlook PST File into Smaller Parts Professionally

Here we are going to use one of the best and highly recommended solutions RecoveryTools PST Splitter Tool to split large PST file into multiple smaller parts. The utility comes with phenomenal features that make the software more powerful and different from the other brand’s tools.

Users can easily split Outlook PST file into multiple smaller pasts of all Outlook versions including Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and all previous versions. there is no need to download or install any other third-party or Outlook application to run the software because it’s a totally independent and standalone utility.

The software comes with an wide number of features, that will shock and impress you to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts without having any problems. That is mentioned below in detail:

Working Steps to Split Large PST File into Multiple Smaller Parts

  1. Download the software on your device and install it.

    software to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts

  2. Add the PST file automatically or manually using the Select Files and Select Folders options.

    Add the PST file

  3. If your PST file is corrupted, then enable the Use Recovery Mode option and hit the Next button.

    Use Recovery Mode

  4. All the folders and subfolders of the PST file will appear on the screen, and select the required data and Next button to continue the process.

    All the folders and subfolders

  5. Select the desired location as per your choice using the Browse button.

    Select the desired location

  6. Choose the Split Options according to your needs.

    choose the split Options

  7. Apply the more advanced filter from the Split Options tab.

    advanced filter

  8. Lastly, hit the Split button to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts.

    split Outlook PST file into smaller parts

  9. The live process will start on the screen to analyze the performance.

    live process

As you can see the a clear difference between manual methods and expert solutions. Also, if you have doubts or any queries related to software performance. Then the software comes with the free demo version, which allows users to split 25 items from each PST folder. So, you can easily analyze the software performance.

Advanced Features of the Software

  • If your Outlook profile relates to the same machine, then the software can easily upload the Outlook profile data automatically from the default storage location.
  • Also, this tool offers the dual option to add single and multiple PST files and folders in bulk at once using the Select Files and Select Folders options to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts.
  • The software supports all corrupted, damaged, inaccessible PST files, and Outlook profiles without any restrictions.
  • The software supports Outlook versions PST files including Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and all previous versions. Also, the resultant UNICODE PST file will be compatible with all the latest Outlook versions.
  • This software can easily split oversize PST files into multiple smaller parts into 2 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, and 20 GB.
  • It shows all the folders and subfolders of PST files on the screen, users can check and uncheck the required data from here as per their choice.
  • It also offers users advanced features to split PST files into single PST files or Multiple PST files without having any limitations.

These are just some advanced features to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts, to know more about all the features of this software visit the mentioned page.

Common Asked Questions

  • Ques 1: What is the best size for PST file?

    Ans: You can split your data file into any size as per your choice, but we recommend size is 2GB. Also, our tool provides 4 options i.e., 2 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, and 20 GB.

  • Ques 2: Will a large PST file slow down Outlook?

    Ans: Yes, your Outlook will be responsive slowly, and also sending and receiving emails will take time. A high risk is your data file will be corrupt.

  • Ques 3: Does archiving reduce mailbox size?

    Ans: No, archiving doesn’t reduce the mailbox size, because archive means moving your unimportant or old emails to another folder for a limited time.

Time to Say Goodbye

Here we have mentioned the complete step-by-step guide to split Outlook PST file into smaller parts at once without having limitations. Both manual and expert solution is explained here, but manual methods have some limitations, that make the process more haptic.

So, if you have an oversized Outlook data file or corrupted then you should go for the expert solution to split large PST file into multiple smaller parts. This professional software comes with amazing and advanced features & filters, that make the tool more usable for all users. for more information, download the software for free to analyze the features and performance.