Outlook Performance

[Vicenarian]

Ok, high-end laptop with i7, 1TB HDD, Windows 8, 16 GB RAM, etc. running Outlook 2010 with some pretty big PST files. No add-ins or any other Outlook-related software.

Main PST is about 15 GB, and only represents only the last years email (and user doesn't really want to split it or delete anything). Older email has been archived into a couple other PSTs (which are kept open in the Outlook navigation pane; maybe that's the problem?) that total another 15 GB or so.

Anyway, Outlook just runs slow, and navigating the interface/emails/etc. sometimes causes it to hang. Since the laptop has a spot for a second drive, I'm thinking about putting in a SSD and moving the PST to that drive.

I'm also thinking that perhaps Outlook's index is causing some issues, but haven't had a chance to actually sit in front of the machine to rebuild the index (or is there a way to move the index to a different drive altogether?)

Just looking for some ideas I guess;

Edit: also wondering if keeping the archive PSTs 'mounted' in the Outlook navigation pane is a bad idea? In other words, would that cause a significant hit on performance?

 

[Vicenarian]

Hmm, so apparently Outlook's own index is actually integrated into the Windows search index (if I understand correctly)? So, I'm guessing moving the entire Windows search index to the SSD wouldn't hurt for performance, too (though it might make a lot of writes to the SSD?)

Anyway, I know it's not a great idea to have such a large PST file, but some customers don't necessarily want to change the way they've been working with email/etc. for many years

 

[altrenda]

Anyway, I know it's not a great idea to have such a large PST file, but some customers don't necessarily want to change the way they've been working with email/etc. for many years

One of the biggest problems with using Outlook without exchange. Most Outlook uers have been using it forever and have a huge amount of emails they won't get rid of. Nothing will talk them out of it.

I have a client that keeps thousands of messages in the deleted folder because thats his filing system. No matter what I say, he won't change, even though we need to rebuild the database monthly (Outlook Mac). I always warn him he could lose everything if it crashes and it's his fault.

Keeping fresh backups is a must for these type users.

 

[Vicenarian]

Hmm, yeah, I'm planning to set up a separate backup for the PST file too, in addition to a daily image backup.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Consider peeling back the antivirus settings when it comes to the PSTs....set exclusions in there. The AV program should pickup the virus through SMTP coming in or heading out anyways, or once it hits the temp folder.

 

[BrentfromZulu]

I would set up a policy to archive e-mails over a year old (or something similar), or set up old PST's by year and not have then open when Outlook opens (Example: 2010, 2011, 2012, Current). Then on January 1st, rename Current to 2013 and make a new Current and just use 2013 and Current until the user(s) don't need it anymore.

The users probably don't commonly go back to 2008, so why should that content be readily available. The performance cost of something that insignificant is not worth it. Hell, it might be quicker if they have to manually open that older PST and then find it.

Also, don't forget ScanPST and to compact.

 

[AndyM]

One thing that you haven't identified, is the type of mailbox that they are running? Are we look at a POP3 account, an IMAP account? What is the frequency of Send/Receive?

If they are running an IMAP account, then maybe setup an Auto Archive rule?

What COM addins are enabled?

From practical experience, as soon as the PST is greater then 10GB, then you start to have issues.

Andy

 

[Vicenarian]

Hey,

Sorry, it's a POP3 account (local ISP), Send/Receive schedule I'm not sure on; the default I guess?

No COM add-ins that I know of

 

[Vicenarian]

Consider peeling back the antivirus settings when it comes to the PSTs....set exclusions in there. The AV program should pickup the virus through SMTP coming in or heading out anyways, or once it hits the temp folder.

AV is Windows Defender (Win 8 default AV), but I'll try setting some exclusions, thanks.

 

[AndyM]

There is a file that you can delete, but for the life of me, I've forgotten what it is. When Outlook is restarted, it will recreate the file. A little like Normal.DOT in Word. It's the end of the day here, and I've has a very stressful day, with nothing going as it should have done, but I'll try and get the info to you when I'm in the office tomorrow.

Right now, I'm relaxing with a Spitfire

Andy