Microsoft Outlook 2002 (XP) and earlier versions (such as Outlook 2000, 98 and 97) limit the size of PST (Personal Storage) file to 2 GB. When the PST file reaches or exceeds the size limit, you would not be able to open the file and access or store data from/to it. This is called oversized PST or 2 GB problem with PST file.
Microsoft Outlook does not have any inbuilt tool to rescue the 2GB problem of PST file, which is inaccessible and unusable. However, Microsoft offers an external tool, known as PST2gb, as a makeshift that can restore the in usable status. But in a number of cases, this tool might fail in resolving the 2GB size problem of PST file. And even if restoration process completely successfully, some critical data might be truncated and lost forever.
Microsoft also released a number of service packs so that if the PST file reaches the 2 GB size, Outlook can not add new data to it. This method can prevent the PST from being oversized up to certain extents. But if the limit is exceeded, you can hardly do any operation unless you deleted bulk of data from PST file and compact it.
The 2GB Problem with PST file is resolved in Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and 2007. Since these versions of Outlook use a new PST file format that supports Unicode, the oversized PST problem has been resolved.
If your PST file already exceeded the 2 GB size limit, the only method to resolve this issue is to Split the PST file. This is best possible through comprehensive and advanced third party applications, such as Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair.
