What can I do about Outlook's huge PST?

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Also - The 20GB Outlook 2003/2007 files must have been created in 2003/2007. If it's an old file created in an older version & then imported into 2003/2007 it will still be a 2GB max file. You have to be careful when creating new pst files. The new versions will allow you to create the smaller files.

I've tried compacting my personal folders in Outlook 2002 using the method suggested above and my computer will sit for over 30 min. while "compacting..." Is this normal? Is there a way I can make the compacting faster?

There are several other solutions for this problem:

First, you can splilt the huge PST file into several small ones, by following the instructions at http://www.datanumen.com/aor/split.htm

Second, in case oversized PST file problem occurs due to the huge file size, then you can follow the link at
http://www.datanumen.com/aor/problems/2gb-pst.htm

for a thorough and complete solution

Yeh that's just great if you want to plonk down $250 to buy Advanced Outlook Repair from datanumen but is there a solution for those of us that want to spend less on a utility for a program than the program itself cost us in the first place?

I've always used OutlookFix by Cimaware to reduce the PST file size. It worked well for me and it's price is much better than Datanumen's tool. You can check it out here: http://www.cimaware.com/main/products/outlookfix.php

Good efforts to solve the 2 GB size problem.You can use Inbox repair tool to solve this problem.If pst file is badly corrupted then go for pst repair software.To check the capability of the software download the free demo version from the site:
http://www.repair-outlook-pst.com/
In demo version you can see preview of 5 emails and 20% of your contact and calender.After getting desired result go for full version to complete your recovery.

What I did, was creating a new Archive folder from the current Archive, with cut-off date of e.g. one year. This reduced my pst file by 60%. Easy and automatic.

you guys are funny. microsoft provides free tools to scan corrupted .pst files and to trim them from the 2gb size so they can be read in outlook again.
lol spend all that money...

Well, using SCANPST.EXE is fine, WHEN it works. Doesn't work for me. RecoveryFIX works fine in Demo mode, but I don't really want to spend $79 bucks to get the version which will allow me to save the results.

Find details on 2GB .pst problem

http://www.repairpst.info/qd.php?questionid=12&pg=2gb_outlook_.pst_problem

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