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10:53 am
July 13, 2009
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Every so often my Outlook Express asks me if I want to compress my emails "to save space" and I click OK and it dances for a bit then says something about it can't do it because the program is open. Well, DUH, of course it's open, if it wasn't open it wouldn't be asking me to compress my messages in the first place. Anyhow, the end result is nothing is accomplished.
Any way to stop this prompt? It's just more of a nag and pain than anything else and doesn't seem to serve any purpose.
Marci
11:00 am
August 7, 2011
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Is it possible that the compressing happens when you close the program?
It's important to compact the database for a variety of reasons (space, recovery, speed, etc).
3:31 pm
September 2, 2010
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A bit late here, but in case this is still unsolved:
It may be worth checking out the steps [url=http://www.insideoe.com/faqs/why.htm#compact:38vg29xe]here[/url:38vg29xe] (Why does OE insist on compacting folders when I close it?) and [url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2398839:38vg29xe]here[/url:38vg29xe].
You can also try and see if you can manually compact all folders – if I'm not mistaken, it's under File>Folder>Compact All Folders. If it fails on the first attempt, try it a couple more times, might work in the end.
If the message you get is "The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another application", it may be due to a 3rd party spam filter or AV e-mail scanning, so might be worth a try disabling all these before a new attempt.
Hope you figure it out.
@Dave
If Outlook Express works fine, you can compact folders manually while the program's running.
9:56 am
July 13, 2009
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Thanks FD, those sites are very helpful!
Apparently OE prompts to do this when it hits '100' times open.
I just read in one of my newsletter from PCPitstop I think it was, that 'compacting folders' on OE was something that should NEVER be done? Not sure WHY.
Plus when it runs, before it gets to the end, an error msg appears and says something about it can't do this because the program is still open or something. Guess I already mentioned that in my first post.
Anyhow, thanks again FD and Dave … !
Marci
2:39 pm
September 2, 2010
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Hi Marci,
[quote:3vylvh9j]I just read in one of my newsletter from PCPitstop I think it was, that 'compacting folders' on OE was something that should NEVER be done? Not sure WHY.[/quote:3vylvh9j]
I'll risk saying that PCPitstop's (or who ever it was from) newsletter is wrong. When you delete an email it's not really/ permanently erased from your HDD, "compacting folders" does this, i.e. removes your deleted emails physically from your HDD.
Though it's said that manually compacting folders does not reset the counter, from my personal experience I can assure you that If you regularly compact folders manually, you won't ever see that message.
So, you don't mention if you tried out any of the suggestions, thus solving the problem. Or has the problem gone away by itself?
Cheers
12:09 pm
June 28, 2011
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Hi,
Can I stop the whole process? I allowed OE to compact once at the prompt. The program subsequently stalled and gave me an error message. When I restarted the program the most recent year's messages had disappeared. I assume they are gone, but is there somewhere I can look for these lost messages? I'm so annoyed with OE that I'm considering another mail program.
Thanks,
Kerry
3:25 am
August 9, 2011
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Hi Kerry – Could you please let us know which operating system you are using?
I am assuming that, because we are talking Outlook Express it would be XP, however the various Windows operating systems store emails in different areas so we would need that confirmed.
Cheers….Jim
8:13 am
June 28, 2011
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I am using XP.
Thanks,
Kerry
5:08 pm
August 9, 2011
Offline
Hey Kerry – First off: Outlook Express should [i:j8nomev4]never[/i:j8nomev4] be used for storing emails. Outlook Express is a very good email client but it makes for a lousy repository. If there is ever just one corrupted email among those stored, then you run the risk of losing the whole lot.
A much better (and more secure) method for storing (saving) emails is to do this: Create a new folder in [b:j8nomev4]My Documents[/b:j8nomev4] and call it something like 'Saved Emails'. You can also create sub-folders within that 'Saved Email' folder to accommodate various contacts or subject matter. Now whenever you want to save a particular email, just use the[b:j8nomev4] File>Save As[/b:j8nomev4] menu options in OE and save the email to the appropriate folder in [b:j8nomev4]My Documents[/b:j8nomev4]. Your emails will all be much more secure that way and will also be a part of any backups you create.
Now as for possibly recovering your lost messages: It is a long shot, but you could try using a very good freeware called Mail Viewer; have a read through [url=http://www.davescomputertips.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1248:j8nomev4]HERE.[/url:j8nomev4]
Hope that helps, 
Cheers…..Jim
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