Microsoft Outlook is an email service provider that lets consumers receive, read, send, and organize emails. For official use, this email platform is used extensively; it lets users access emails when offline and react to them. The emails arrive automatically once one is back online. Outlook also helps you to arrange and clean your emails. On the other hand, a PST file too large could lead to problems compromising performance. Under these circumstances, it is advised to break up the PST file into smaller pieces. The techniques applied to divide oversize PST files will be covered in this blog post. Let us now consider some of the reasons partitioning PST files is required before that.

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Why Should We Divide the Outlook PST file?

Let's clarify why we should separate Outlook PST files before we go over the techniques.

Large PST files slow down Outlook. Smaller files speed up work.

• Prevent Data Loss: Less likely to get corrupted are smaller files. One half breaks, thus the rest remains safe.
• Simple Backup: Small files back up quickly. They are easy to control and they do not occupy your storage.
• Smaller files are like pocket-sized info and move easily. Perfect for passing on or switching to a new computer.
• Some systems have size restrictions. Large files can cause issues. Little files help to maintain smoothness.
• Remain orderly. Divided for years or categories for orderly information. Perhaps one for personal life and another for business.
• We shall learn here how to divide Outlook PST files into smaller, more reasonable chunks.

Method 1: Import/Export Approach Steps to Divide a PST File

We shall learn how to manually split a PST file using the Import/Export approach in this part. Use the guidelines provided below:

1. Open Outlook on your computer.
2. Click on the "File" tab.
3. Go under the File tab, "Account Settings".
4. Go to the "Data Files" part of the Account Settings window and click “Add.”
5. Name your new PST file.
6. Click "OK" after selecting “Outlook data file.”
7. After going to "File," pick "Open Export," then “Import/Export.”
8. Click "Next" after selecting "Export to a file" under Import and Export Wizard.
9. Select the directories you wish to export, then review the "Include sub-folders" option.
10. Click "Next" to go forward.
11. Choose the place you wish to save the exported file to.
12. Click "Finish" to run the process through.

Here we applied the import/export strategy. This is how you split PST into smaller files. Should you find this approach time-consuming, consider the hand method below.

Method 2: Archive-Based Steps for PST File Split

Let's study the steps in the archive approach. We shall examine the methodical process of file splitting with the archive approach in this part.

1. Click the "File" tab and then move to launch Microsoft Outlook.
2. Click "Options," then choose “Advanced.”
3. Under "AutoArchive," under “AutoArchive Settings.”
4. After selecting the folder you wish to archive, enter the archiving frequency and date; then, click “Browse.”
5. Verify your choices; click "OK" to finish the archiving procedure.

You should have known about the two manual techniques and their thorough stages of dividing PST files by now. You had to choose which approach you wanted to apply to. Before using these methods, though, users have to be aware of their constraints. Let's discuss the shortcomings of hand approaches for PST file splitting.

Limitations of Manual Techniques

One should be mindful of the disadvantages of applying hand techniques. You should be aware of certain drawbacks as well.

• The danger of Losing Data: You might mistakenly remove or damage your emails or additional data when doing it by hand.
• Manually divide oversize PST files takes a lot of time and effort, particularly if you have several.
• No Simple Automation: When you have many PST files, it is troublesome since manual approaches cannot effectively automate the procedure.
• Confusing method: Manual PST file splitting with Outlook's capabilities or other tools can be perplexing.
• Certain techniques cannot manage very large PST files.
• Not all techniques apply to every Outlook or other email program version, and they might not apply to password-protected files.
• Doing it incorrectly could cause you to lose data or break your PST file.

Although you probably know a lot about manual techniques, is there a simpler approach to dividing big PST files into smaller ones? Indeed, you can apply a professional, easily available, and less time-consuming method. Thus, let's investigate this professional strategy right now.

Method 3: Using Expert Software to Divide Oversize PST Files

Split vast PST files into smaller PST files with GainTools Split PST Tool. By size, date, year, and folder, PST files can be divided with this strong and dependable utility. Along with all versions of Microsoft Outlook, including Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, etc., this split PST is compatible with Large PST files and can be split into smaller PST files with this reliable and consistent utility. It provides a range of splitting choices to suit the demands of many users and is safe and easy to operate. This app is compatible with the Windows operating system. User-friendly interface which is suitable for all users. It offers a free demo version to examine the utility before buying the application.

A Few Steps to Divide Outlook PST Files:

• Download and install the GainTools Split PST Tool on your Windows machine.
• Click "Browse" to choose the PST file you want divided.

• Choose your desired split point for the PST file. Based on Size, Date, and Folder.

  

• Select the destination folder to save divided PST files.
• Starting the process, click the "Split" button. The utility will split the PST file using your chosen criteria.

Let us now review what we have learned from the blog article following a thorough discussion of the three techniques.

Conclusion

First, we defined Outlook's essence in general. We then spoke about the reasons why splitting Outlook PST files is essential. We then discussed the limits of the manual PST file-splitting technique. We also learned how to divide oversize PST files using expert tools without Outlook. This blog has guided you in better understanding how to divide PST files into smaller pieces and finally fix any problems you could have come across.