Top 3 Free Ways to Split Large PST Files into Smaller Files

Large PST files can slow down Outlook, cause corruption, and make data management difficult. To avoid these problems, it is necessary to break down large PST files into smaller, manageable parts. This not only boosts performance but also ensures data security. In this article, we will explore the top 3 free ways to split large PST files without spending a penny, along with a bonus 4th way using professional PST Splitter tool like MailsDaddy PST Split Tool.

Why Split Large PST Files?

PST (Personal Storage Table) files are used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, contacts, calendars, and other data. However, when the file size exceeds a certain limit (e.g., 50GB for newer Outlook versions), performance issues and corruption risks increase. Splitting oversized PST files ensures smoother operation, better data management, and reduced chances of file corruption.

Top 3 Free Methods to Divide Large PST Files

Here are three effective, free methods to split large PST files into smaller parts. These solutions work well without requiring third-party tools.

Method-1. Using the Archive Feature in Outlook

The built-in Archive feature in Microsoft Outlook is a simple way to divide oversized Outlook PST files by archiving older data into separate PSTs.

Steps to Use the Archive Feature:

  1. Open Outlook and click on File > Cleanup Tools > Archive.
  2. Select the email folder(s) you want to archive.
  3. Choose a date range under “Archive items older than”.
  4. Set the location where the new PST file will be saved.
  5. Click OK to start the archiving process.

Benefits:

  • No need for third-party tools.
  • Easily split PST files by date or folder.

Drawbacks:

  • Not customizable beyond dates and folders.
  • Requires manual effort for larger files.

Method-2. With the Import/Export Wizard in Outlook

Another free method to split large PST files is using the Import/Export Wizard in Outlook. This tool allows you to manually export parts of your PST file into smaller ones.

Steps to Split PST Using Import/Export Wizard:

  1. Open Outlook, click on File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
  2. Select Export to a file and click Next.
  3. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
  4. Select the folder you want to export and apply filters if necessary.
  5. Save the new PST file to your desired location.

Benefits:

  • Provides control over what data to export.
  • Allows splitting by specific folders or filters.

Drawbacks:

  • Time-consuming for large files.
  • Requires manual effort for repeated splitting.

Method 3: Create Multiple New PST Files Manually

You can manually break large PST files by creating multiple PST files and moving data between them.

Steps to create new PST:

  1. In Outlook, go to Home > New Items > More Items > Outlook Data File.
  2. Create new PST files (e.g., PST1, PST2, etc.).
  3. Drag and drop emails, folders, or calendar items to new PSTs.

Benefits:

  • No additional tools required.
  • Easy to perform for smaller PST files.

Drawbacks:

  • Limited effectiveness for heavily oversized PSTs.
  • Risk of accidental deletion of important data.

Note: The above methods are completely free, but they are very time-consuming and have many limitations. With all these methods higher chances of data loss and corruption. So, seamlessly break oversized PST files into smaller parts without losing any data or corruption issues, go with a professional tool like MailsDaddy PST Splitter.

Method 4: Using MailsDaddy PST Split Tool

If you are dealing with extremely large PST files or need a reliable way to split large PST files with advanced options, the MailsDaddy PST Break Tool is an excellent choice. This professional PST splitter is user-friendly, efficient, and comes with multiple features that simplify the splitting process.

Key Features of MailsDaddy PST Splitter

  • Split PST files by Size, Date, Folder, or Email ID: Offers flexibility to divide PST files based on user preferences.
  • Preserves Data Integrity: Ensures no data loss or corruption during the splitting process.
  • Supports All Outlook Versions: Compatible with PST files from Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed for both beginners and advanced users.

How to Use MailsDaddy PST Splitter Software

  1. Download and install the MailsDaddy PST Split Tool on your system.
  2. Launch the tool and click on Add PST File to upload your oversized PST.
  3. Choose the splitting option (Size, Date, Folder, or Email ID).
  4. Set the destination folder for the smaller PST files.
  5. Click Split Now to begin the process.

This tool is perfect for users who want a hassle-free way to divide oversized Outlook PST files into smaller, more manageable parts.

Conclusion

In this blog, we discussed the top 3 free methods and a bonus professional tool- MailsDaddy PST Split tool to break large PST files easily. The free methods outlined above can help if you’re on a tight budget and have time. However, for fast, secure, and customizable results, the MailsDaddy PST Splitter is the ideal solution to split large PST files without risking data loss.

Henry Pit
Author: Henry Pit