Are you also facing the Outlook OST has reached the maximum size issue? If your answer is yes, then don’t worry! In this blog, we will discuss the top techniques to fix OST file has reached the maximum size error. So let’s begin step by step.
Outlook OST data files are used when you have an Exchange account and work offline. OST files are used to store a synchronized copy of mailbox information on your local computer. Even if you lose your connection to your mail server, such as when you’re on a plane without Wi-Fi or lose your internet connection, all your previously downloaded emails, calendar data, contacts, and tasks will be saved. You can read and write messages, create events, and add contacts. However, no email messages will be sent and no new messages will be downloaded until the Internet connection is restored.
The OST file has reached the maximum size issue that can occur if the OST file size reaches the mailbox size limit configured in the Exchange Server. In this situation, any changes you make will not be saved and you will stop receiving new emails until you resolve the error.
Now, let us know how to fix this issue by using the multiple top fixes or solutions.
How to Resolve Outlook OST Has Reached the Maximum Size?
The best and easiest way to fix this error is to ask the Exchange administrator to increase the mailbox size limit. However, this problem occurs again when OST reaches the file size limit. To fix this problem, you need to reduce the size of the OST file.
Here we explain 6 solutions to help you fix OST file has reached maximum size Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 issues.
Solution 1: Reduce OST file Size via Compacting
Follow these steps to compact the OST file and reduce its size.
- First of all, delete any items you don’t want to keep and empty your Deleted Items folder.
- Then click File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
- On the Data Files tab, select the OST data file you want to compress.
- Click Settings > Advanced Settings > Outlook Data File Settings.
- Lastly, click the Compact Now button and then click OK.
Solution 2: Clean Up Your Mailbox
You can clean up the mailbox to resolve Outlook OST has reached the maximum size issue.
- In your Outlook go to File > Info, then click Cleanup Tools next to Mailbox Cleanup.
- Click on the Mailbox Cleanup option.
- Then, click the View Mailbox Size button to display the current mailbox size stored in the local OST file and server.
- Now, enter the number of days to search for and delete old emails to reduce OST file size.
- You can also search for items larger than the “Empty Deleted Items” folder, “View Deleted Items Size”, “View Conflict Size”, or “Empty Conflicts” folder to reduce the size of OST file.
Solution 3: Adjust ‘Mail to Keep Offline’ Settings
MS Outlook has an option to limit synchronization, allowing you to choose the amount of email items to synchronize with your local OST file. This helps you reduce OST file size and resolve the OST file has reached the maximum size Outlook issue. Follow the steps below to achieve this:
- Click on File > Info > Account Settings > Account Settings.
- Then click on your email account or profile and click Change.
- Adjust the “Keep email offline” slider as per your requirements.
Solution 4: Disable Shared Folder Synchronization
To resolve Outlook OST has reached the maximum size error, you can disable the shared folder synchronization by following these steps.
- Open Outlook, click File >> Account Settings, and click Account Settings again.
- Select your OST file on the Data Files tab.
- Click Settings >> Advanced Settings and select Outlook Data Settings.
- Then, uncheck the “Download Shared Folders” box and click OK.
- Now, restart Outlook and wait until the synchronization is complete.
Solution 5: Configure OST File Size Limit Using Registry Key
If you do not want to delete your old emails, you can use the registry to reconfigure the OST file size limit by changing registry key entries and values.
- MaxLargeFileSize and WarnLargeFileSize
This allows you to set the size limit for Unicode OST files up to 50 GB for Outlook 2010 and later, and 20 GB for Outlook 2007 and 2003. - MaxFileSize and WarnFileSize
Refers to the ANSI format OST file size limit of up to 2 GB for Outlook 2000.
Solution 6: Move Your Mail Items from OST to Archive Folder
You can also move items from the OST file to fix Outlook OST has reached the maximum size error.
- In Outlook, go to File > Info > Tools > Clean Up Old Items.
- Then select the “Archive this folder and all subfolders” option.
- Select a folder from the list to archive.
- Now, select the “Archive items older than:” date.
- Click Browse to select a location to save the output and click OK.
Expert Solution to Fix Outlook OST has Reached the Maximum Size Issue
If all the manual fixes do not resolve the OST file has reached the maximum size Outlook problem, then you must a professional tool. Yota OST to PST Converter Tool is a reliable solution to save all your data items from OST files. It helps you to move corrupt and orphan OST files without losing a single piece of information.
The best part of this tool is that it supports OST files of all Outlook versions such as Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, etc. Moreover, it works with all Windows OS versions. You can move multiple and only selective items from the offline data file. You can also download the trial edition to verify it’s working.
Final Words
Here we have shared the multiple solutions to resolve Outlook OST has reached the maximum size issue. We also suggested the best email converter tool to move OST file items without data loss.