3 Ways to Split PST File [2021 Updated]
Published: 2021-03-12 10:58:28

Large-sized PST files can cause problems, such as sluggish **Outlook performance**, **Outlook errors**, etc. Also, oversized PST files are vulnerable to corruption. The best way to overcome such problems is to split the PST file into smaller PST files. In this post, we’ll be discussing **3 ways to split PST file**. 

**Why You Need to Split a Large PST File?**

There are many reasons why you need to split large PST file into multiple smaller PSTs. Some of them are:

•	Large-sized PST files affect **Outlook’s performance**.

•	When a PST file exceeds its recommended size limit **(50 GB** for **Outlook 2010** and newer versions, and **20 GB** for older versions), the user can’t send or receive new emails.

•	Large-sized PST files are prone to corruption. 

**How to Split PST File?**

Here are the methods to [Split PST file](https://www.stellarinfo.com/split-pst-file.php):

**Method #1: Split PST Using ‘Move to Folder’ Option in Outlook**

To reduce the PST file size, you can move some emails to another PST by using the Move to Folder function in Outlook. For this, follow these steps:

1.	Run MS Outlook and **go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings**.

2.	In the window that pops up, open the **Data Files tab*.
        Then click Add to create a new PST file where you can 
        transfer some of the mailbox items.

3.	Provide a name for the **PST** and **save the file**. 

![image](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/legvh7vhqxwd1mgp9vah.png)
  
4.	Open the old **PST** in Outlook, and select the items to move to the **new PST**. 

5.	After selecting the **Outlook mailbox items**, click **Move** under the top menu and select Other Folder. 

6.	In the **Move Items window**, select the **new PST file** and click OK. 

**Note**: You can also create folders in the new PST to organize the emails while moving them.

![image](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/gvn3md54wrxwobddynvb.png)

The emails will be saved in the new PST file, thereby splitting the large PST file.  

**Method #2: Reduce PST Size with Outlook Import/Export Wizard** 

Follow these steps to split Outlook PST file by using Import and Export Wizard:

1.	Launch **Outlook** and go to **File > Open & Export > Import/Export**. 

2.	In the **Import and Export Wizard** window that opens, select **Export to a file** option and then click **Next**.

![image](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/u8uvgr23i51jmerw1ya9.png)
3.	Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
4.	In the Export Outlook Data File window, make sure that Include subfolders option is selected. Then select the folders you want to export to another PST and click Next. 
![image](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/uw8jtf6bsn2a237eqg87.png)

5.	In the next window, click **Browse** to provide a location and name for the new PST file. Then click **Finish**. The selected folders/items will be moved to the new PST file and saved in the provided location.  

**Method #3: Use Archive Wizard to Split a Large PST**

You can use Outlook Archive Wizard to split large Outlook data files. For this, follow these steps:

1.	Open **Outlook** and follow the appropriate steps:
In **Outlook 2013, 2010**: **Go to File > Info Cleanup Tools > Archive**.
![image](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/sabfyv0xiejv8l8pcked.png)

**OR**
In **Outlook 2016, 2019**: **Go to File > Info > Tools > Clean up old items**
 
![image](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/s4u3oi1k1lv7z3t84nmn.png)

2.	Click **Archive this folder and all subfolders**. Then select the folder you want to archive (save in the split PST file).

3.	In the **Archive items older than field**, provide an appropriate date. You can provide different dates for different folders and create multiple PST files.
![image](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/hgx7yvbdf0yymbc7qnr5.png)
**Note**: Select the **Include items with Do not AutoArchive** checkbox to archive items that aren’t archived automatically. 

4.	Click **OK**. Outlook will transfer the mailbox items to an archive file according to the selected preferences. 

**Limitations of the Above Manual Methods**

The manual methods for splitting PST files are free. However, these methods have some limitations:

•	The user needs to be technically skilled to perform the procedures

•	The methods are complex and time-consuming

•	A mistake or error during the process can lead to irreversible data loss

•	Splitting multiple PST files simultaneously isn’t possible
These challenges can be easily overcome with the help of an advanced PST splitter software. 

**PST Splitter Tool: Recommended Solution to Split a Large PST **

To split PST files in a safe, efficient, and time-saving manner, you can use a third-party PST splitter software, such as **[Stellar Splitter for Outlook](https://www.stellarinfo.com/split-pst-file.php)**. It is a user-friendly software that can easily split a large PST file into smaller PST files.

The following are some prominent features of the **PST splitter** software by **Stellar**:

•	Splits large PST files of any size

•	Splits PST files by date, size, email IDs, specific folders, etc.

•	Allows batch conversion in which multiple PST files can be split in a single batch

•	Creates smaller PST files that are compatible with MS Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and 2003

•	Retains the folder structure of the original PST in the split PST files

**Splitting PSTs with Stellar Splitter for Outlook is a simple 3-step process**:

1.	Add the PST files.

2.	Select the appropriate splitting options (by Date, Size, email ID, etc.)

3.	Click the Split button to split the files. 

 ![image](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/d101vwxv9xebc38rhg3k.png)

**Conclusion**

Large-sized Outlook data file **(PST)** can cause difficulties in using Outlook. It can cause frequent Outlook crashes/freezes and also raises the risk of PST file corruption. To prevent these issues, you can split large-sized PST files. You can use the manual methods, mentioned in this post, to split PST. However, these methods have some limitations. The best way to split PST files is by using a dedicated **PST splitter software**, such as **Stellar Splitter for Outlook**.