When you use Google Workspace Sync for Microsoft Outlook (GWSMO), your mail is stored both remotely in the cloud and locally in a PST mailbox file on your computer. The cloud can hold up to 30 GB of mail, which is more than you'd typically need to keep on your computer. The amount of mail you can store locally is limited by Microsoft Outlook's mailbox size.
What happens if I run out of space?
As you run out of space locally, older mail is removed from your computer and replaced with newer messages. If you’re searching for messages in Outlook, you’ll only find messages that are stored locally on your computer. However, you can search for these messages using the Gmail web interface.
Most people do fine with a local limit of 1 GB, but if you want to store more mail locally, you must increase your mailbox size. We recommend you use GWSMO to do so. This option is discussed below.
Alternatively, you or your administrator can set the mailbox size limit using a Windows registry key. For details, go to Set mailbox size. You can use either the registry key or the GWSMO option to set the mailbox size, but not both.
Use GWSMO to set Outlook's mailbox size (recommended)
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Click GWSMO
in your Microsoft Windows taskbar notification area.
If you can't find the icon, it might be hidden in the overflow area. To view all icons, click the up arrow on the taskbar.
- Click Set mailbox size limit.
- Select a mailbox size—1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, or Unlimited.
Depending on your computer, a larger mailbox size can degrade performance.
- Click OK.
Troubleshoot
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Why is the Set mailbox size limit option not shown?The option isn't available if your mailbox size limit was set using a Windows registry key. For details, go to Set mailbox size.
If you have selected a larger size and your PST file grows to that size, the smaller option is no longer available.
Your PST file might exceed the size limit, depending upon your Outlook set up. Consult your Microsoft documentation on how to configure the size limit for PST files in Outlook.
You can also reduce a local PST file, which helps compact the file's size. When you reduce the PST file, you might be able to set up a smaller mailbox size. Consult your Microsoft documentation on how to reduce the size of your mailbox and Outlook data files
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Click GWSMO
If you can't find the icon, it might be hidden in the overflow area. To view all icons, click the up arrow on the taskbar.
- Click Modify PST/logs folder paths.
- For PST Folder Path, add the new path of the PST folder.
No. By default, Outlook limits the size of a local PST file to 20 GB (for Outlook 2007) or 50 GB (for Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, or 2019). So, if you choose the Unlimited mailbox size in GWSMO, your PST file won't exceed 20 GB or 50 GB.
To increase the limit of your PST file, consult your Microsoft documentation. If you choose the Unlimited mailbox size in GWSMO and your PST file grows larger than your default Outlook limit, you might encounter sync errors. In addition, large PST files can create performance problems.
No. Setting Outlook's mailbox size only changes the primary mailbox account. To apply a different mailbox size limit to your delegated accounts, you or your admin must set the mailbox size limit using a Windows registry key. For details, go to Set mailbox size.
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