The Outlook Data File Reached The Maximum Size – Rapid Solution

The ability to work offline is very important and useful for any client if there is unreliable network connectivity. The Outlook data file reached the maximum size is a common problem due to which users can’t access the Outlook data which in turn causes a huge problem.

Outlook OST files are the most important files in the Outlook email client that help the person to work and check emails in offline storage. It’s an offline folder file of MS Outlook that allows the user to work offline and synchronize any type of changes with the Exchange server as it connects. This can be resolved by reducing the amount of data in this file storage to help the user get access to their files easily. This could be easily performed with the help of an OST Splitter.

So in this section, we will cover all possible ways to solve the OST that has reached the maximum size Outlook 365 problem. This will help the users to work with a .ost file that is nearing its maximum size.

The Outlook Data File Reached The Maximum Size – Reasons Behind Error

The occurrence of such an error causes workflow hindrances. This error occurs in Outlook for several reasons. Some reasons for this error are:

• The OST file or ANSI-encoded PST file is getting bigger than the size limit or getting larger than the maximum 2 GB size.
• The user’s Uni-code encoded OST file size is exceeding the size limit which is 50 GB.
• The registry policy in place, which might have changed the limits that are there by default can cause the OST has reached the maximum size Outlook 365 error.
• The Outlook OST files might be corrupted. The OST files might be getting affected by some malware activity causing the increase in the size of the OST file.

These are some of the most common reasons behind the Outlook data file reached the maximum size.

Solutions to Handle Outlook 365 Issues manually

The proper choice of solution for a particular problem depends on the type of scenario that is affecting the Outlook data file. Following are some of the ways that can help in finding solutions to the above-mentioned errors. Also, there is an instant solution that encompasses all the above scenarios and solves this issue.

Step 1. Determine Outlook File Data Type

• Close all the Outlook programs that are running
• Go to Start >> Control Panel
• Then in the Mail section, click on Data File
• Double-click that particular Outlook data file If the “MS Exchange” window shows up, then the file is .ost
• Now in the “Advanced” tab
• Click at the bottom to see the message that declares “Mailbox Mode” either as Unicode or as non-Unicode
• If the Personal Folders window comes up, then that file is a PST file
  1. If the value is “Personal-Folders-File (97-2002)”, then it is an ANSI format file
  2. If the value is “Personal-Folders-File” then it’s Unicode
• Note the type

Step 2. Locate Outlook-Data-File

The Outlook data file reached the maximum size problem can be resolved if the user can locate the problem source. To get the problem please ensure that there are no hidden files.

The OST files are located under this location – C:\Users\-your-username-here\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\

• Now go to Tools in any of the Explorer windows
• Then find Folder Options and click on View
• Now select the radio button to Show hidden files

If MS Outlook is in use with an MS Exchange server, then there will be one or more OST files in this particular folder, otherwise, there will be PST files.

Step 3. Convert Files to Unicode to Solve The Outlook Data File Reached The Maximum Size Issue

ANSI-Encoded PST to UNICODE Format

• Creating a new Outlook profile to empty the PST file
• If the version of Outlook is newer than 2003 then this new PST would be in Unicode format

Convert ANSI-Encoded OST File to Unicode Format

• First Cached-Exchange-Mode has to be disabled
• Rename the OST file that is in question to this name “outlook.old”
• And now, open Outlook
• Close Outlook now and re-enable the Cached-Exchange-Mode

MS Outlook program would rebuild the OST file in Unicode format along with data from the MS Exchange server This will solve the problem of OST having reached the maximum size Outlook 365 problem easily. 

Conclusion

Maintaining the capacity to operate without an internet connection is essential for customers dealing with inconsistent network stability. Nonetheless, large Outlook OST files can interfere with the retrieval of significant information. Minimizing the size of OST files, employing an OST Splitter, and transforming them into Unicode are viable approaches. Tackling these problems improves the productivity and dependability of Outlook 365.