PST File Tips that will Boost Your Email Productivity.
PST File, or personal storage table, is an essential computing file format within Microsoft software such as Microsoft Outlook, Windows Messaging, and Microsoft Exchange Client. It helps store copies of calendar events, messages, etc.
It is an important part of virtually all email programs. A PST file is a database file containing every bit of information about your inbox, including personal data, messages, notes, and so on. A PST file can grow in size by the day, but it will not expand indefinitely. Here are some PST file tips that will boost your email productivity.
1. Keep Your PST Files Small
Typically, big PST files slow down your computer when opened, including email messages. In addition, since most email programs cannot access the data within a large PST, it makes them very hard to search.
It is still a good idea to have a backup of your files if needed. You should also keep your inbox clean by deleting old entries and emptying the “Deleted Items” folder once in a while. This will help you save time and keep your inbox organized.
Creating several PSTs will also help you make your email productive as it will make searching much easier. You can achieve this by dividing your emails into folders under separate PSTs. Be sure to keep your PSTs about 10 GB for newer Outlook versions.
If you are subscribed to big mailing lists, check the “Junk mail” folder for any spam mail that might have slipped into your inbox. Also, you can use an automatic spam filter to make sure the junk doesn’t get into your inbox in the first place.
2. PST security is Key
PST is not a very secure file format, and it is always advised to keep it as safe as possible. To protect your PST files:
Use Encryption
Encryption will help you minimize the chance of your PST files getting hacked and ensure that no unauthorized person can access them. For example, you might want to use the built-in encryption feature offered by Microsoft Outlook.
Create Strong Passwords
Another important tip is to make your password strong and complex. If you want to be even safer, you can use a Microsoft Outlook password.
That way, you can strengthen the security of your files even more. You can also consider changing your master password at least once in a while to keep your data more secure.
Keep Your Computer Safe
One of the best ways to protect your computer from external threats is to install and regularly update antivirus software. Another way to keep it safe is to install a firewall. This will greatly minimize the risk of malware or viruses getting into your PC, making it more difficult for any malicious third party to access your crucial data, like PST files.
3. Keep Track of Your PSTs
Another helpful tip is to use a folder monitoring program. This program can monitor your folders, including PST files, for data retention. This is very helpful and will help you keep track of your important files regularly. PST technology allows you to keep a copy of your emails and other data, so use this to your advantage. It will allow you to make even more space on your PC and delete files that you don’t need anymore.
4. Fix Corrupted PSTs
Sometimes, data corruption happens for no particular reason, making your data inaccessible. You might even accidentally merge a PST file with another PST file, thus losing track. Sometimes, you might have accidentally deleted some important data from your PST files when you reformat your computer.
When this happens, retrieving such information from damaged files is very difficult. In these cases, data recovery services are very useful for recovering essential data from corrupt PST files. You can also consider creating a weekly backup of your PST files to avoid data loss.
5. Use Reliable eDiscovery software
Electronic discovery or eDiscovery software is an effective way to manage and search through the millions of electronically stored information in your mailbox. This kind of program helps you collect, analyze, and manage your emails easily. You can use it to back up all of your PST files at once and store them in a secure location.
This software can also help you eliminate and sanitize unnecessary PST files. You can search for specific information inside the PST file and even remove any sensitive information before sending it to anyone else. This will keep your data safe from third parties while making sure they are still accessible to you at any given point in time.
Final Word
PST file tips can help boost your email productivity. However, it might be a good idea to change your default PST file occasionally so that you do not have to worry about it getting damaged or corrupted in any way.
