Outlook 2010-Attachments using Limited File Space?

[mbterry9]

I am using Windows 7 and Outlook 2010.

My Basic Question: Is an attachment to an email taking up space in the PST file itself? (or is it stored separately and "referenced" by the message?)

I like to keep my emails for many years past. Why not, except for the file size limits? In year past, using Windows XP and Outlook 2001, this caused my Outlook to crash when the PST file size hit its limit. It was a disaster and disrupted my life for weeks/months. I know the modern versions have more storage capacity, but I live in fear of another crash. Nowadays, exchanging photos, etc, can create individual emails of 2-10 megs each, which really add up.

Creating additional PST folders to split up the storage problem is a pain. I do it rarely and have to relearn it each time. It is also awkward to use so many buckets. I would much prefer to have all my stuff in one place.

To save space, I have developed a methodology of routinely deleting large attachments, but first manually storing them in separate places (not in PST files), and leaving a message within the email saying the name of each attachment (so I can find it if I want to). This collapses the email size to KBs instead of MBs, but it is quite time consuming and awkward to say the least. At least it buys me confidence.

There are some synching solutions offered, but they seem complex and open other problems. Do I really have to go there?

Is there an easier answer to my problem?

 

[A Guy]

Have a look at this free program, it removes attachments from Outlook, stores them on your HDD, and replaces the attachments with a link to the stored file. You'll be able to open the attachment as you would normally, except that Outlook will get the file from your disk, rather than from inside its .pst file.

Outlook Attachment Remover - Free Outlook add-in to save and extract attachments [Freeware]

A Guy

 

[mbterry9]

Sorry for the delay getting back - I tried it but had to go away for a week.

Thanks for the good idea - it looked like the perfect solution. But I tried "Outlook Attachment Remover" as suggested, but I could not get it to work in Win 7 and/or Outlook 2010. It makes no claim to. I tried to contact the issuer of the free download, but his email address proved undeliverable. Appears that this software has been dormant since about 2009.

However, I have come across other software which purports to do the job, most particularly "Outlook Attachment Extractor" at
http://www.attachment-extractor.msoutlooktools.com/
and some other sites. If offers a free test period and then charges $49, which would be worthwhile to me if it works as I would like. I have not yet tried it because I cannot spend more time chasing hopes. Has anyone tried it in Win 7 and Outlook 2010? If so, please give me report.

Or are there any other solutions I should look at?

 

[dlc41]

mbterry9

I have a client that keeps every email ever written or received since 1998. What I have them doing is every year they create a new .pst file ie:2014 for the new year, make it their default, import in contact list and continue on. A couple reasons for this, easy to back up and if you ever change computers moves nicely. Have had issues with attachment removers in the past, especially when replacing computers and wouldn't recommend them.

 

[mbterry9]

Thanks, dlc41. I have subdivided my email files, somewhat as you suggest, but I have had some problems doing it that way.

I have divided my emails by subject - for example putting FAMILY TREE emails in a separate folder. But I sometimes forget where I put it all, and I was not consistent. Worst of all, when I come back later (6-18 mos), I forget how I did it.

If I had made annual files, when I want to search for something, I would have to search through 16 annual files since 1998 - I think separately. I guess it would work, but it would be tough.

I suppose I could devise a system and stick with it, but for $49 I would be happy to buy software which would enable me to save automatically the attachments elsewhere on my hard drive in a way that I could always find them if/when need be. That way, I could have a decade of emails in one file and continue on. I just need someone to tell me it works, and I will invest the time and money to try it myself.