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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTop 10 tips for\ntroubleshooting Microsoft Outlook PST file problems<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. Cut PST to\nsize<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOne of the most\nnotorious problems in Outlook is the issue of large PST. This easily creates\nlag, resulting in reduced performance. And if left unattended, such PST would\neasily become oversized – leading to severe corruption and consequent loss of\nmailbox items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To resolve the issue\nof large PST, it’s recommended to remove junks (nonessential items) from the\nPST folder. However, with a storage limit of 50GB, you can easily create new\nPST folders and move some files there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Go here<\/a> to configure your PST storage limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Declutter PST<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nStorage issues in\nOutlook are not exclusive to huge-sized PST. In fact, cluttered storage – with\ntoo many items under a single PST folder – often creates more severe\ncorruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To troubleshoot this\nproblem, you can rearrange the affected PST folder by moving some items to\nother folders. This action declutters the PST and creates the much-needed\nbreathing space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Archive PST\nfiles <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAn alternative\nmethod for decluttering an Outlook data folder (PST) is to “archive”\ninherent mail items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here, you typically\nhave too many email messages, calendar entries, attachments and journals stored\nlocally, in a single folder. If such clutteredness is left unaddressed, the\nhost PST would eventually become oversized, leading to severe corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, archiving\nPST not only troubleshoots performance and storage issues, but also prevents\nPST corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Keep items\nstored in the default store<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOutlook accounts\nthat are configured to move items from the default store often encounter PST\nproblems. This is particularly common to Outlook accounts configured on POP3,\ncompared to IMAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nonetheless, if you\nmust move items from the default store, there is a safe avenue for that on\nOutlook 2010\/2013\/2016\/2019. Simply follow the steps below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Go to the\nhome menu in your Outlook.<\/li>
- Click on the File\n<\/strong>tab and then select Info<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Select Account\nSettings > Account Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Locate the\ntarget POP3 account and click on it.<\/li>
- Click on Change\nFolder > Account Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Follow the\nprompt commands to select a new folder in a separate store.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
5. Create new Outlook\nprofile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf an Outlook\nprofile is not properly configured, associated PST files would be significantly\naffected. In such cases, the ultimate solution would be to delete the faulty\nOutlook profile and create a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basically, an\nOutlook profile can be removed in two ways, depending on the mailing protocol\nin use (POP or IMAP). On POP-configured profiles, you’d have to export the\nmailbox, and re-import it after a new profile has been created. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand,\nyou can remove an IMAP-configured profile via “Control Panel >\nMail\/Profiles”; without creating any backup. Once deleted, simply create a\nnew one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Power off PC\nwhile Outlook is still running<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf a PST file is not shut down correctly, an error message may be prompted to that effect. And in most cases, such a file is rendered inaccessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This problem is basically encountered when Windows is forcibly shut down, while Outlook is still in the shutdown phase. It typically occurs when you exit Outlook and shuts down your PC almost immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To resolve this\nissue, ensure your Outlook program is properly closed before shutting down your\nPC. If you must shut down your PC, do so while Outlook is still running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Move PST from\nserver to local disk<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf your PST files\nare connected to a remote server, there is possibility of reduced performance.\nTo ensure swift retrieval of files from your PST and enhance performance, it’s\nrecommended to move all PST folders to the local storage (on your device).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For convenience, you\ncan configure your Outlook account on POP3, instead of IMAP; to ensure incoming\nmessages are saved locally, rather than on the server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Remove or\ndisable Outlook add-ins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAdd-ins are\ninstalled to extend the functionality of Outlook. However, when these add-ins\nbecome too many or outdated, they create serious performance-related issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To address these\nissues, run Outlook in safe mode (with all add-ins disabled). If the problem\nstops, one of the add-ins is probably causing the error; in which case, you can\nremove\/disable nonessential add-ins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By default, some\nadd-ins are pre-installed on Outlook 2010 and newer versions. These add-ins are\ngenerally safe, typified by a uniform\/proprietary tag of “Microsoft or\nWindows”. So, you can easily identify and disable non-proprietary\n“COM add-ins”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To disable add-ins;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- click on the File <\/strong>tab;<\/li>
- select Options > Add-ins<\/strong>;<\/li>
- go under Manage list <\/strong>and select COM Add-ins > Go<\/strong>;<\/li>
- disable add-ins by unchecking the corresponding boxes; <\/li>
- click OK<\/strong>;<\/li>
- restart Outlook and sign-in with an associated profile.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
9. Deploy ScanPST<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nScanPST.exe,\notherwise known as Inbox Repair Tool, is the in-app repair solution for fixing\nall kinds of problems associated with Outlook PST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below are simple\nguidelines to deploy the tool:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Close Outlook\nand open File Explorer<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Locate and\nopen the ScanPST.exe <\/strong>program.<\/li>
- Click Browse\n<\/strong>and go through your local directory to select the PST file to repair.<\/li>
- Click Start\n<\/strong>to start repair and wait for it.<\/li>
- Relaunch\nOutlook.<\/li>
- Sign in with\nthe associated profile.<\/li>
- Finish\nrecovery and save to a new PST.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
10. Employ a recommended software solution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOften times, PST\ncorruptions are too severe for the ScanPST.exe program to repair. Hence, a more\nadvanced solution is often required to safely repair and recover inherent\nitems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most\nnotorious problems in Outlook is the issue of large PST. This easily creates\nlag, resulting in reduced performance. And if left unattended, such PST would\neasily become oversized – leading to severe corruption and consequent loss of\nmailbox items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To resolve the issue\nof large PST, it’s recommended to remove junks (nonessential items) from the\nPST folder. However, with a storage limit of 50GB, you can easily create new\nPST folders and move some files there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Go here<\/a> to configure your PST storage limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Storage issues in\nOutlook are not exclusive to huge-sized PST. In fact, cluttered storage – with\ntoo many items under a single PST folder – often creates more severe\ncorruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To troubleshoot this\nproblem, you can rearrange the affected PST folder by moving some items to\nother folders. This action declutters the PST and creates the much-needed\nbreathing space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An alternative\nmethod for decluttering an Outlook data folder (PST) is to “archive”\ninherent mail items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, you typically\nhave too many email messages, calendar entries, attachments and journals stored\nlocally, in a single folder. If such clutteredness is left unaddressed, the\nhost PST would eventually become oversized, leading to severe corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, archiving\nPST not only troubleshoots performance and storage issues, but also prevents\nPST corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outlook accounts\nthat are configured to move items from the default store often encounter PST\nproblems. This is particularly common to Outlook accounts configured on POP3,\ncompared to IMAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nonetheless, if you\nmust move items from the default store, there is a safe avenue for that on\nOutlook 2010\/2013\/2016\/2019. Simply follow the steps below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If an Outlook\nprofile is not properly configured, associated PST files would be significantly\naffected. In such cases, the ultimate solution would be to delete the faulty\nOutlook profile and create a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Basically, an\nOutlook profile can be removed in two ways, depending on the mailing protocol\nin use (POP or IMAP). On POP-configured profiles, you’d have to export the\nmailbox, and re-import it after a new profile has been created. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand,\nyou can remove an IMAP-configured profile via “Control Panel >\nMail\/Profiles”; without creating any backup. Once deleted, simply create a\nnew one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a PST file is not shut down correctly, an error message may be prompted to that effect. And in most cases, such a file is rendered inaccessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This problem is basically encountered when Windows is forcibly shut down, while Outlook is still in the shutdown phase. It typically occurs when you exit Outlook and shuts down your PC almost immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To resolve this\nissue, ensure your Outlook program is properly closed before shutting down your\nPC. If you must shut down your PC, do so while Outlook is still running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your PST files\nare connected to a remote server, there is possibility of reduced performance.\nTo ensure swift retrieval of files from your PST and enhance performance, it’s\nrecommended to move all PST folders to the local storage (on your device).<\/p>\n\n\n\n For convenience, you\ncan configure your Outlook account on POP3, instead of IMAP; to ensure incoming\nmessages are saved locally, rather than on the server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Add-ins are\ninstalled to extend the functionality of Outlook. However, when these add-ins\nbecome too many or outdated, they create serious performance-related issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To address these\nissues, run Outlook in safe mode (with all add-ins disabled). If the problem\nstops, one of the add-ins is probably causing the error; in which case, you can\nremove\/disable nonessential add-ins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By default, some\nadd-ins are pre-installed on Outlook 2010 and newer versions. These add-ins are\ngenerally safe, typified by a uniform\/proprietary tag of “Microsoft or\nWindows”. So, you can easily identify and disable non-proprietary\n“COM add-ins”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To disable add-ins;<\/p>\n\n\n\n ScanPST.exe,\notherwise known as Inbox Repair Tool, is the in-app repair solution for fixing\nall kinds of problems associated with Outlook PST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below are simple\nguidelines to deploy the tool:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Often times, PST\ncorruptions are too severe for the ScanPST.exe program to repair. Hence, a more\nadvanced solution is often required to safely repair and recover inherent\nitems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Declutter PST<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Archive PST\nfiles <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Keep items\nstored in the default store<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Create new Outlook\nprofile<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Power off PC\nwhile Outlook is still running<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Move PST from\nserver to local disk<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Remove or\ndisable Outlook add-ins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Deploy ScanPST<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Employ a recommended software solution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n