Outlook Express will not compact

[WisTodd1968]

I'm looking for any suggestions on a problem I'm having with outlook express and it will not compact the emails. It cannot finish and I get a message "The folder is in use by outlook express or by another application.

[CaspaR]

You can compact them by putting the email client offline. That will be quiet possible I think. It happens after a number of time when emails keeps occupying the space they makes the mail client slow. For that just click on File and then click on Work Offline. Here you will need to click on the folder and choose compact all folders. That's all your job will be done. It will be enough for you to compress the mails folders.

[LeSueur]

I am giving you some reference links that will give you more idea in dealing with the problem you are facing. There are two links below that has information on compacting the email folders.

How to compact the personal folders (.pst) files in Outlook
How to compact PST and OST files to eliminate deleted item space in Outlook

[Flynnl]

First exist Outlook Express and then open it all back again. You will need to first move the old emails to the local folder. Move them from the inbox. Remove all the deleted folders first. Then you can manually go with compacting email. It is not so complicated. There is a option available in Outlook Express that allows you to compact message automatically at specified time interval.

[WisTodd1968]

Thank you everyone! The manual compacting did the trick. It's really great that you all were so kind to assist me with the advice.