Today, Microsoft Outlook has become popular globally. And people make use of it in their business and personal communications. It acts as a bridge between partners and families. And amongst every user, several people had encountered issues like the corrupted PST files. Owing to the fact that they are new in the domain of email repair, they can wonder about the ways in which they can resolve the issue and ensure that everything is normal.
In this article, we will delve into the fundamental facts about the Outlook PST files and discuss the ways in which you can prevent any occurrence of corrupt PST.
A basic preview about Outlook PST
A PST (Personal Storage Table) is best defined as the Microsoft Outlook 2010 data file that can store the user’s data in certain files for POP3, IMAP, and web-oriented email accounts. Such files can comprise mail folders and other items in the mail folders, like contacts, messages, notes, journals, attachments, and tasks.
The PST files are adopted in every Microsoft Outlook format, which provides an effective process for storing the crucial data in reliable formats. When it comes, the 2002 and 2000 versions of the Microsoft Outlook, the PST files can get stored in an ANSI format along with a maximum size capacity of 2GB. With the progression of technology, the PST files were getting stored in the Unicode format, in the 2007 version of Outlook that comprised a size of 20GB. Also, the Outlook 2010 version has a 50 FB size.
The reasons for the corrupted PST file
Some of the reasons for which you can have a corrupt PST file include:
- As the PST file stays on a network server and if there is any issue with the network interface, such as the cards, hubs, cables, routers, the PST files can get corrupted or damaged.
- In case the disk storage crashes like the hard drive, it can also lead to the PST file loss.
- In case a personal computer gets attacked by a malicious group or a virus, then the PST file might be at a higher risk of damage or corruption.
- If the 2010 version of Microsoft Outlook can lead to a functionality deficiency, then the PST files can also get corrupted or damaged.
The useful tips to prevent the PST file from getting corrupted
Transporting the PST files from one location to another leads to corruption. Hence, it’s always better to follow a few rules in order to avert the chances of PST corruption.
- Don’t go beyond the size limit of the file
The 2010 Outlook Version users can store as much as 50 GB of data. And in the earlier versions, such as in Outlook 2003 and 2007, you can store 10 GB of data and in the 2002 version and the ones before that you can store as much as 2GB. You can save as much as 10 GB of data at various locations, and it is better than saving about 50 GB of data in a single location because:
- The big files are vulnerable to corruption.
- The big files can affect the performance directly. The majority of the operations in Outlook get slowed down because of a huge database.
- When there is a small corruption, it can get amended, but in case the PST has a huge size, fixing it will be time-consuming.
- Save the older version of PST
In Outlook 2002, the PST file size and its earlier versions got restricted to 2GB. Hence, it’s suggested that to save the file that is accessible before or in the 2002 version in equal to or less than 1.5 GB. It can save the earlier PST versions from getting corrupted. And in case the performance depends on the file size then it’s essential to save it in small size and stay away from corruption.
- Refrain working on huge email volumes
Outlook doesn’t backup any work on huge email volumes. It deadlocks the operation in the big volumes. The user gets forced to close-down Outlook that can lead to PST corruption. And to avert this situation, you need to function on less than 1000 emails even when you need to work in more emails. Operating in steps in essential to avert corruption and is definitely better than repairing the corrupt PST file.
- If Outlook is running, you shouldn’t shut down the system
If a user shuts the system down suddenly, without closing any application, then the PST file that Outlook accesses at that time can get corrupted. The ideal way to check is by opening the Task Manager and see if the Outlook.exe file is present in the process. You shouldn’t close the system till such time the process gets complete.
- It would help if you didn’t store PST on the server or Network Drive
The PST file is best used for local computers and storage. Hence, storing on the network or the server can result in PST corruption because the network ambiance doesn’t back up any dense access of the PST file.
- Backup the PST at small or regular intervals
There is a need for fortnightly and weekly backup to secure the data in the local system. So that, even when the PST gets corrupted, the data can get restored using a backup file.
- It would help if you didn’t allow Outlook add-ins to disrupt the PST
At times the faulty Outlook Add-ins that don’t get designed correctly can affect a PST file. In such a situation, the only solution is to disable the add-in.
- Get cautious with the installed anti-virus.
There are times when the main issue is the anti-virus that you installed in the system. It will lead to PST corruption, and it can also delete the PST.
However, despite taking every prevention and measure, there can be a chance of the PST getting corrupted. In such a situation, the solution is to opt-in for a repair and resolve the problem. There is a free tool that’s installed in MS Outlook and can get accessed to resolve minor corruption and errors. For any bigger PST corruption, you need to opt-in for a professional PST repair solution, you can access from an expert service provider.
