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Convert an old PST to a Unicode PSTShort URL: http://slipstick.me/ansi |
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Outlook 2003 introduced a new file format for the message store. It
supports Unicode formatting and has no limitation in the number of
items per folder or in the size of the PST. This is commonly called
a Unicode PST. The old format, now officially called "Outlook 97-2002 Personal Folders File" and commonly known as ANSI PST, has a limitation of up to 65,000 items per folder and an overall PST size of 2 GB. (If the PST was created in the oldest versions of Outlook, the number of items per folder was as low as 16,000.) Because of the large file size support, it's highly recommended that you upgrade to the Unicode PST format, however, Microsoft does not offer a tool that upgrades the PST, other than what is built into Outlook: Import/Export. Normally we feel Import/Export is a poor choice when moving PSTs, except under specific and limited situations. Converting your PST to a Unicode PST is one of those times when using Import may be the best way. There are three methods to do it yourself and one third party tool available to make the conversion. In all cases, it's not a true conversion - a new PST is created and your items are moved or copied to the new PST. Methods 1 and 2 are best used with new profiles or existing profiles if they were created in Outlook 2003 or 2007. Method 1 (Import) copies every thing over to the new PST, Method 2 (manual move) is better if you want to control what is moved, keeping old items in the ANSI PST and only moving items you need going forward. If you upgraded your version and are using a profile created in Outlook 2002 or earlier, Method 3 (archiving) is generally better. Make a copy of your ANSI PSTs before using any of the methods. Most of the options move the items to the new PST and if something doesn't work and you want to re-try it, you'll need another copy. |
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| Methods: Import | Manual | Archive | Tools | |||||||
Method 1: Import |
This option imports copies of the items; it does not move them. The
modified date on each item will be changed to the date of the
import. This method works well for a large number of users and is
best with a new computer with Outlook 2003 or 2007 either
pre-installed or installed after purchase (not upgraded from an
earlier version). This method allows you to filter messages (importing only newer ones for example) or import items in specific folders (such as only contacts and calendar). Note that if you are only moving items in specific folders, Method 2 may be better.
Keep in mind that when you import, you change the last modified date (so autoarchive won't work as expected) and published forms and custom views will not be imported to the new pst. |
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Method 2: Manual |
Video tutorial:
This method is slower and best suited for PSTs with fewer folders,
although it works pretty good if you have a large number of
subfolders, since you can move them in one group. This is a good
method to use if you are moving to a new computer as it works best
with a new profile.  How to add New .pst file to profile
Using Move will preserve the last modified dates. If you move entire folders, published forms and custom views for those folders will moved to the new pst. |
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Method 3: Archive |
This method is best if you upgraded from a previous version and kept
your old profile. It is highly recommended that you have a backup of
the ANSI PST as messages are moved when you use Archive.
Also note that flagged items can't be
archived - you'll need to move them to the new PST or remove the
flags before archiving.
After making the new PST your default delivery store, you need to verify the contacts folder is set as an address book. Right click on the Contacts folder and choose Properties. The Address book tab should have a check box to enable the folder as an address book. |
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