Why is my outlook.pst file is growing rapidly on the disk?

MikeFox · 14 Jul 2019

The outlook.pst file is normally around 50 MB (for the past two years). I added some reminders (maybe 5% more) and it grew to 80 MB. I added some more reminders (maybe another 5% more) and it grew to 115 MB. I emptied the Deleted Items in Outlook and rebooted. The size is still 115 MB.

The text of reminders that I have added should have increased the size by no more than 2.5 MB each time.

Is the .pst file becoming corrupt? Will it continue to grow?

I am using Windows 10 and Outlook 2016. I have Tasks with just text. There are no emails in my Outlook. This computer has never been on the network, and Outlook has no configuration with a mail client. There are no viruses on the computer that I can tell. Since it has no connection to a network, I do not see how a virus could be the problem.

Try3 · 14 Jul 2019

There is no reason to suspect corruption.

Like many databases, your pst file leaves space when records are deleted. You need to run "compact" to remove this wasted space.

The details of the procedure can vary across Outlook versions but here is how I do it in Outlook 2007 and your's will be similar or exactly the same.

1 In the left-hand pane [the "Navigation pane"], show the Folders view by selecting it from the icons at the bottom of it {you might have to click on the ... to get this icon shown}.
2 Right-click on the top-level item [unless you have renamed it then it will be called OutlookFolders]
3 Select Properties for ...
4 Click on Advanced...
5 Click on Compact now
6 Let it run until it drops you back to the dialog showing Compact now.
7 That's it.

Depending on version, you can also get to the Compact now dialog through
- Tools, Account settings, Data files, Settings
- File, Data file management, Settings
These instructions are also in Reduce the size of your mailbox and Outlook Data Files - OfficeSupport

Denis

margrave55 · 14 Jul 2019

Mine is over a GB. Who cares?

jimbo45 · 15 Jul 2019

Hi there

1) just archive it off every so often from within Outlook.

2) If you use IMAP instead of POP3 then email will be left on the server unless you copy it to local folders. Just delete the email on IMAP and it will be gone. You shouldn't get much if any growth in pst files if using IMAP.

Cheers
jimbo