The Comprehensive Guide to the PST Files You Should Know

Emails are one of the most critical approaches to the communication field of the professional world. The usage of different types of email platforms such as Outlook and Gmail has become common, creating requirements for multiple features that can ensure data as well as user security. While strengthening the platforms, different types of data security models, as well as techniques, could be generated to benefit the users. 

The MS Outlook developers introduced the personal storage table or PST files to store sensitive and essential data across the platform. The formats of the PST files will help you store data and messages from different types of MS software. If you don’t have detailed knowledge regarding the PST files, this article is perfect for you. Continue reading the article to know more about the PST files. 

Introduction of the PST File Type 

When you add an email account across the computer you’re using, you will have different types of options to save relevant information as per the specification of your computer. Due to this feature, you won’t face any problems regarding data accessibility and email management. You will also be able to access the previously downloaded email messages as well as contents from your Outlook account. 

Outlook comes with different types of email accounts that will help you store the Outlook data files. These files are commonly known as PST data files and they can be used as online storage as per your Outlook email. 

You can use a Microsoft Outlook account to create the PST file type, where they can be consumed for copying or moving purposes from the original server mailbox of the local hard drive. The PST files should be used as local storage files where the users can store the email items and attachments. 

Location Properties and Storage Size of the PST Files

Remember that the size of the PST files is not small which can document the data within a couple of seconds while being connected with the email account. These files are extremely effective at managing the primary content of the data while also helping you to access it without any discrepancy. Therefore, the PST files will be able to hold a massive amount of content. However, the range of contents that are stored in the PST files changes as per the different versions of the MS Outlook. 

If you’re using the MS Outlook version of 2003 and 2007, the size of the PST files is limited to 20GB. If you’re using MS Outlook 2002 or older versions, the size of the PST files is limited to 2GB. On the other hand, if you’re using the MS Outlook version of 2010 or later, the size of the PST files is limited to 50GB. The default size limit of the PST files is also dependent on the needs of your organization. 

While focusing on these limits, make sure the users store the content within this size limitation. If you try to store content beyond these limits, you will end up facing corrupted pst. Apart from the size of the PST files, you also need to focus on different locations that are designated as per the Windows or Outlook version you’re using. 

Advantages of Drawbacks of the PST Files 

The PST files come with some specific benefits as well as drawbacks. As you want to know everything about the PST files, you also need to be familiar with the perks and drawbacks so that you don’t face problems in the future. 

PST files focus on the mailbox size and you won’t face problems while accessing the PST files through different Outlook versions. You can also use the PST files to create a backup of the emails. Apart from that, PST files are encrypted and unless you’re attacked by extremely powerful ransomware, the data will be safe and secured. As per Proof Point, Ransomware is one type of malicious software.

However, remember that PST files are extremely prone to corruption. You also need to download the PST files locally so that you can update your content. 

What is PST File Corruption?

While operating with the PST files, sometimes you will face PST file corruption. One of the most common causes of PST file corruption is the oversizing of the PST files, which has been discussed earlier. Apart from this, hardware and software issues will also cause your PST files to corrupt. 

The PST files can also face corruption due to ransomware or virus attacks on your computer. This is why professionals always suggest you use great antivirus software that can protect your PC from viruses or Trojan attacks. However, even if the PST files are corrupted, there are some effective ways to fix that and recover the data. The Inbox repair tool might help you fix the corrupted PST files effectively. However, sometimes you need to use third-party PST repair tools. 

Conclusion 

This is the detailed guide you need to know about the PST files. We hope you find this article informative. If you have any other questions, don’t forget to comment below and let us know.