I had upgraded to IE8 and didn't like it so I downgraded to 7 and started having an issue with OE6. It asks me constantly to compact my mailboxes (about once every two to three minutes when OE is open on my main identity) From prior experience I don't dare compact without backing up first but this is extremely annoying. I checked the .dbx file sizes and the inbox is the largest at 1.5G. I do have several inboxes for various years' e-mails named by year, which I need to access. If I must, I can move some of the .dbx files to another folder. It is easy enough to drag them back in to the identity folder and create a relationship to the mailbox again. My main identity is up to a total of 9.5G dispersed among 20 .dbx files. Is this causing my problem? Thanks for any light that can be shed on this problem.1 person needs an answerI do too

You may have two separate issues.1: Can you compact OE manually with it completing successfully without hanging? If yes, and you still get the prompt prior to 100 closings, so you have Windows Search installed?2: You are flirting with danger. You can have as many folders and sub folders as you want, (aka dbx files, but they must be smaller and you must not keep messages in the Inbox and Sent Items.<Canned>General precautions for Outlook Express:Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user defined folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted Items folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used by Outlook Express:http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while working *offline* and do it often.Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed.Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3And backup often.Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB Freeware)http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspxBruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

Bruce, Yes windows search is currently installed. I don't keep everything in the inbox and sent items folders. I create new folders in "local folders" (inbox 2008, inbox 2009 and so forth) The .dbx files are now much smaller than the 2G limit. Is there a limit on the "local folders" file? I will back up and manually compact and let you know what happens. Thank you for your help.

In theory, all dbx files have a 2GB limit. But much experience makes me suggest that you don't let any folder get much over 300MB. I would rather see you have 40 smaller folders than 20 large ones. You can also create another identity for the sole purpose of archiving if you wish, or save messages to a folder on your HDD. (No unreasonable size limit on that).Your frequent compacting issue is a byproduct of Windows Search. In Windows Search, you have to tell it to stop indexing OE.Windows Search. Set Desktop Search Options: http://www.microsoft.com/australia/windows/desktopsearch/search/options.mspxIn the Windows Control Panel | Indexing Options | Modify. Clear the check box for Outlook Express.Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

I've manually compacted twice and the warning boxes have stopped appearing but I still get error messages regarding compacting the inbox and sent items folders. I will work further on reducing their file sizes. I not only changed the settings for windows search but I uchecked it in startup in msconfig. I don't use it anyway and can start it up if I need to.

The Inbox and Sent Items may already be corrupt. If you have no luck compacting, move all the messages from these two folders to user created folders.Close OE and delete the Inbox.dbx and Sent Items.dbx files in the message store. New files and folders will be automatically generated when you open OE.Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

The Inbox and Sent Items may already be corrupt. If you have no luck compacting, move all the messages from these two folders to user created folders.Close OE and delete the Inbox.dbx and Sent Items.dbx files in the message store. New files and folders will be automatically generated when you open OE.Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA