Is there a size limit in Outlook Client mailbox?

[kevin]

We are using a POP3 server and have Outlook as our email
client. We are running into a problem in that our users
have large email attachments, many messages, etc. and the
total size of their mailboxes are approaching 2gb. This
seems to be causing some random problems with their email
accounts such as not being able to receive messages and
having outgoing emails not being successfully sent.

The question I have is if there is a size limit in
Outlook for mailboxes? If so, is there a way to increase
the size limit from whatever the default might be? Does
the newer version of Outlook (2003) have larger mail box
size limits?

TIA.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

Yes, Personal Storage Tables (.PST) have size limitations.

Outlook 97 thru 2002
* 2GB max file size
* 16,000 or 65,000 items per folder (large table support needed for higher
value)
* 16,000 or 65,000 folders per folder (large table support needed for higher
value)

Outlook 2003 has a new PST file structure that is not backward compatible to
earlier versions. It is still called a PST, but everything is stored in
Unicode. (It supports the earlier versions called an Outlook 97/2002
Personal Folder File.)

This new format is capable of holding more items that you can shake a stick
at. The overall file size is limited by how the drive is formatted. The
default install of Outlook 2003 will cap the file size growth at 20gb, but
can grow larger.

 

[Chris]

There is a limit of 2gb for PST files. Have your users
create additional PST files for archiving data, ie 2003
email, 2002 email, etc. and then move from original inbox
to specific folder in new PST folder. They can create the
same folders in these PST files as in their main PST file
and then they have archive data. I do this with someone
that has over 40,000 sent and received emails going back
six years. Once I reduced the main PST file we no longer
have the issue. Just remember that if their system crashes
all of the data goes by by unless you back up their data
to another location on CDR, the server, etc. periodically.

 

[Kevin]

What do you mean by large table support? Is that
something that is configurable?

 

[arno]

Hi neo,

Outlook 2003 ...
... The
default install of Outlook 2003 will cap the file size growth at 20gb, but
can grow larger.

So, Outlook 2003 can now be used as an email "archive"?

Somewhere I read, that previous versions were not indended to be used as
email archives, instead exchange server etc. should be used. Is this
"recommendation still true for Outlook 2003? I'd guess the main trouble
with previous versions was that pst files got corrupt after a while and 2 GB
were not enough (also for single users).

regards

arno

 

[Brian Tillman]

We are using a POP3 server and have Outlook as our email
client. We are running into a problem in that our users
have large email attachments, many messages, etc. and the
total size of their mailboxes are approaching 2gb. This
seems to be causing some random problems with their email
accounts such as not being able to receive messages and
having outgoing emails not being successfully sent.

Your users should create additonal Personal Folders files, move some of the
items from their main mailbox to the additional folders, and compact the
main folders.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

Large table support is on by default in Outlook 2002. (nothing to configure)

For Outlook 97/2000, right click on personal folders and select properties.
select advanced and then check the box to enable large table support.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

any time you talk with an exchange administrator they will tell you that pst
files are evil. i accept them as a necessary tool when working in an agency
that sets limits on mailboxes and there is a huge cya factor.

 

[Brian Tillman]

any time you talk with an exchange administrator they will tell you
that pst files are evil.

Our Exchange admins encourage the use of PSTs.