2009-07-23

Cannot add Outlook Data File - Maximum file size exceeded.

If you're trying to add .pst data file to your outlook profile and get the following error
"The file "drive:/path_to_your_.pst/outlook.pst" has reached its maximum size. To reduce
the amount of data in the file, select some items that you no longer need and
then permanently delete them by pressing SHIFT + DELETE".

Obviously you can not delete any messages because you can't add the data file itself. This case should be only for Outlook 2003 without sp2 because it limits .pst file size to somewhat 2GB, however I encountered a situation where this message was generated by Outlook 2007.

Fastest workaround for this is to share the .pst file and add it to outlook 2007 on another computer in you local area network and delete some messages to lower the size of .pst file. That is if you have a network and another PC with outlook installed.

The other way is to download microsoft tool for shrinking .pst files, then fix the file with SCANPST.EXE ) (if you have outlook 2007 it will be located in "drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE12") and then try adding the Data File again.

4 comments:

  1. i love you. first real advice on this problem after two hours searching the internet. thank you

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  3. you can find SCANOST.EXE in the same folder as SCANPST.EXE
    for office 2007 it is at
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12

    ReplyDelete
  4. John Peter20.1.13

    Thanks for sharing the useful information for fixing the Outlook PST Error. I fixed this easily with the help of these tips: http://www.split-pst-file.blogspot.com/

    Thanks
    John

    ReplyDelete