Your Outlook has slowed down, your mailbox is bumping against its size limit, and one giant PST file is now too big to back up, move or open comfortably. Cutting that file into pieces fixes it, and that is the one job PCVITA Outlook Split PST File Tool (listed here as Tool to Split PST) does.
Quick facts
- Version: 8.1 (26.1 MB download)
- Platform: Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7, plus Windows Server 2019, 2016, 2012 R2 and 2008
- Price: $49 for the full edition
- Free demo: splits the first 50 items of a PST file
- Guarantee: 30 day money back (terms apply)
- Outlook PST versions: 2003 to 2021, 32 and 64 bit
Key features
Cut a PST file into parts from 1 MB to 1 TB
With split by size you type a value in MB, GB or TB. Each part stays under that size, so none of them crowds Outlook's default limits.
Split by date or by year
Choose one date or add several date ranges from the calendar. For split by year you set a From and To year, which suits archiving old mail.
Divide by folder, email ID or category
You can turn a PST file into parts such as inbox.pst, sent.pst and outbox.pst. You can also separate items by a sender's email ID, or by Email, Notes, Tasks, Calendars, Contacts and Journals. That makes six split modes in total.
Work without Outlook installed, on many files at once
Outlook does not need to be installed. Use Add File(s) for one PST file or Add Folder for many. Search Files finds PST files on a drive when you don't know the path. The tool accepts corrupt and inaccessible PST files as input.
Check the Split Information before anything is written
A summary screen lists the Split Information before the split starts. The folder hierarchy, email properties and attachments are kept in the new files, which you open from the destination path you chose.
How it works
- Add PST files or a folder, or search a drive.
- Pick a destination folder.
- Choose a split mode: size, date, year, folder, email ID or category.
- Enter the size, date or year value.
- Review the summary and start.
Who it's for
It suits you if you manage a PST file that has grown too large, such as a mailbox that is years old, or a stack of PST files from several people. It also fits you if you want to archive mail year by year without opening Outlook.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Six split modes in one tool.
- Folder structure, properties and attachments stay intact.
- Works without Outlook and handles corrupt files as input.
- A free demo lets you test on your own data.
Cons
- The demo splits only the first 50 items.
- It runs on Windows only and needs .NET Framework 4.5 or above.
- The vendor's page shows a 3.8 out of 5 rating from 254 users, so it is not flawless.
- The licence arrives by email after payment, so there is a short wait.
FAQs
Does the free demo show me everything?
You can test all six split modes, but the demo only processes the first 50 items. The $49 full edition removes that limit.
Do I need Outlook installed?
No. The tool reads the PST file directly.
Which Outlook versions' PST files does it handle?
PST files from Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2021, in 32 and 64 bit.
Will my folders and attachments survive the split?
Yes. The folder hierarchy, email properties and attachments are kept in the smaller files.
How small can the parts be?
From 1 MB up to 1 TB per part.
System requirements
- OS: Windows 11 (64 bit), 10, 8 and 7 (32 or 64 bit); Windows Server 2019, 2016, 2012 R2 and 2008
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 at 2.40 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Disk space: 100 MB free
- Prerequisite: Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 or above