Outlook 2007 PST file has suddenly grown extremely large

[Neil]

On October 2, my pst file was 7,210 KB. On October 3, it had suddenly grown
to 351,434 KB.

I have a backup from October 2 available, but before I restore it, I am
curious if anyone can tell me how this file could grow this big in one day. I
tried compacting the file, but the effect was minimal.

When I go into Mailbox Cleanup, it says that my total mailbox size is 2,069
KB.

 

[Pat Willener]

If you don't have any new messages with such large attachments, then it
could be a PST file corruption. Close Outlook, then run SCANPST against
your PST file.

 

[Neil]

1. Where do I get SCANPST from - I typed it into the Start Menu Search box
and got no results?
2. I believe this problem was the result of my have attempted to send an
extremely large email attachment - after it hung up for 1/2 hour, I
terminated the email, but apparently, the attachment remained in the file
although I cannot see it anywhere.

I have restored the last god version of the PST file from a backup (some
people do daily backups), but am wondering if there is any way to fix the bad
file.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

1. Where do I get SCANPST from - I typed it into the Start Menu Search box
and got no results?

Start>Programs>Microsoft Office Tools>Inbox Repair Tool or
Start>Programs>Microsoft Office>Microsoft Office Tools>Inbox Repair Tool. If
that doesn't appear, then look for SCANPST.EXE in %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft
Office\Office12 on Vista or %CommonProgramFiles%\System32\MSMAPI\1033 on
English versions of Windows XP.

2. I believe this problem was the result of my have attempted to send an
extremely large email attachment - after it hung up for 1/2 hour, I
terminated the email, but apparently, the attachment remained in the file
although I cannot see it anywhere.

Is Outbox empty? Did you try to compact the PST? Right-click its root,
choose Properties, then Advanced, then "Compact Now".

I have restored the last god version of the PST file from a backup (some
people do daily backups), but am wondering if there is any way to fix the
bad
file.

How did you do this restore? Restores done incorrectly can result in damaged
mail profiles.

 

[Neil]

Brian,

I tried compacting - only very slight decrease.

SCANPST actually resulted in a very slightly larger file (?).

I restored from a version of the file that I had backed up from the day
prior to the sudden increase in size. Everything appears to be running well,
so I would guess that there was no damage to the mail profile.

As I said, my guess is that the problem stems from my aborted attempt to
send a 200+ MB zipfile as an attachment. The message never went out, but it
is alive and well some buried in the PST file, at least in part. However, I
do not see it in any folders.

I have Outlook on another PC - I moved the old (large) PST file to that
machine and opened it in Outlook there. That is what I can use for any
further suggestions.

 

[Pat Willener]

The PST file is sort of a database, so once a large item had been
recorded in it, the increased file size remains, even if that item has
already disappeared.

When SCANPST fixes things in the PST file, this may also result in an
increased file size.

The only thing that can decrease the PST file size is compression, and
this will only have an effect if a substantial percentage of the file is
empty. If compression does not have a noticeable effect, then the
remaining empty space will slowly fill up with new Outlook items -
nothing to worry about...

 

[wangdong]

Are you sure your pst files was all right? if not, you can try a tool
called Advanced Outlook Repair. You can download a free demo version
at http://www.datanumen.com/aor/aor.exe . I think it is a useful
repair tool for you. It is easy to recover your PST file by using its
wizard. It is a powerful tool to recover messages, folders and other
objects from corrupt or damaged Microsoft Outlook PST files.

Detailed information about Advanced Outlook Repair can be found at
http://www.datanumen.com/aor/

Wangdong

 

[JNPT]

You may also try a nice 'pst repair
(http://www.repair-outlook-pst.com/) software which uses advance
scanning algorithm to repair & recover your corrupt .pst file. Simpl
and easy to use pst repair tool that safely and completely repair
corrupted pst file in every situation.
visit: 'Outlook PST Repair | PST Repair Software to repair pst file o
Microsoft outlook' (http://www.repair-outlook-pst.com

 

[Gordon]

You may also try a nice 'pst repair'

To whom are you talking?
You are obviously not aware that the forum you are posting in is leaching
off the Microsoft News Servers.
That's not your fault. The owners of this forum should make that clear.
You would do better to use a news reader and subscribe to these groups
direct rather than through this forum.
However if you still want to stay with this forum then please, for the
benefit of those who access this group through the MS News server (the vast
majority), quote the post you are replying to.

Thank you.

 

[wangdong]

Are you sure your pst files was all right? if not, you can try a
tool
called Advanced Outlook Repair. You can download a free demo version
at http://www.datanumen.com/aor/aor.exe . I think it is a useful
repair tool for you. It is easy to recover your PST file by using its
wizard. It is a powerful tool to recover messages, folders and other
objects from corrupt or damaged Microsoft Outlook PST files.

Detailed information about Advanced Outlook Repair can be found at
http://www.datanumen.com/aor/


Wangdong