Outlook Express “Compact Messages” pop-up

On July 6, 2010, in How-to, by Cubert aka (Cube Dweller)

I have a user who every time they log in they get a pop up notice that Outlook Express needs to be compacted. They don’t use Outlook Express so why would it need to be compacted?

The short answer is that it does not. There is a issues with Windows Search indexing.

So here is the fix!

If you’re using Windows Search, right click the System Tray icon, select Windows Search Options.  When the Indexing Options dialog box appears, click the Modify button at the bottom.  Find Microsoft Outlook Express in the list, clear the check box, click OK.  Microsoft Outlook Express should no longer appear in the “Index these locations:” list.  Close the dialog box.

After changing Windows Search Options, you may still have to reset the OE count.

Edit the registry manually to reset the counter manually:

1. Close Outlook Express and all message windows.
2. Click Start, click Run and type without quotes “regedit”.
3. Navigate to this key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\{GUID}\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0

where GUID is the long number used for your Identity.
4. In the right-hand pane, double-click “Compact Check Count”, then change the value to zero.
5. Close regedit and restart your computer.

Enjoy!!

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2 Responses to “Outlook Express “Compact Messages” pop-up”

  1. Suzie says:

    Perfect! I have been doing this for years on my other computer. This computer just started with the compact messages pop-up. I have the instructions for my other computer, but it is 100 miles away. I went to a few forums and people kept saying, “no, you can do nothing about it – let it compact.” I don’t want it to compact. Thanks for jogging my memory……I just reset it to 0 in regedit….

  2. Anon says:

    Thank you very much. This seems to have worked for me as well. Who would have thought a website with the domain name, “SquidWorks.net” would have the answer? Not me. But, you did. You did have the right answer. And, I for one, really appreciate it. Thanks again. Your the best!

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