That should have read safe at 2MB, not 2GB.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA

"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
That is something we have just come to learn. MS would still tell you that
each folder has a 2GIG capacity. In theory they do, but in the real world
they become corrupt long before that.

If you are using these folders strictly for archiving, you should be
plenty safe at 2GB each.

Here is a good site for OE, but I don't believe it recommends keeping the
file size low.

Tom Koch:
http://www.insideoe.com/
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA

"John Brown" wrote in message
...
OK, many thanks for the advice.

With view to trying to keep the size of individual folders below about
100MB...would you happen to know a bit of simple software that will give
me this information?
Thank,
John
-----------------------------

"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
You have choices. You can use one identity just for archiving if you
wish. You can save them to your HDD. Or to a readable CD.

To backup messages to a readable CD:

Create a folder on your Desktop, then in Outlook Express open the folder
with the messages you want to save. Highlight one message, then Ctrl+A
will highlight them all, (or hold the Ctrl button down while you select
only the messages you want), Now, drag and drop them to the folder on
your Desktop. (Easiest if the folder shortcut is on the Taskbar).

Now you can copy that folder to a CD and you will be able to read the
messages on the CD by double-clicking on them.

The downside of this is that messages that have the same subject will be
overwritten. To avoid this, purchase:

DBXtract:
http://www.oehelp.com/DBXtract/Default.aspx

On the other hand, OE has no problem with the number of folders you
have, it is the size of the dbx files that matter. You can have one
identity and one folder with as many subfolders as you want for
archiving and OE won't gripe as long as each folder doesn't get much
bigger than 100 MB. You cannot download another OE as it is part of your
OS and you would only get a message that it already exists.

I would simply create as many folders as you need and drag messages to
them en masse. All you need to do is compact your folders when you're
done and regardless of what you end up doing, backup OE daily. See the
following.

General precautions for Outlook Express:

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. Create your own user defined folders for storing mail and move
your mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly. Keep user
created folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as is
feasible.

After 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#3

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background
and leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.

And backup often.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoutlookexpress.com/backup/

This is a great two click program:

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB)
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA

"John Brown" wrote in message
...
Been using Outlook Express for some time...and concerned its getting
somewhat bloated.
After a few months of heavy use I start a different Identity...have 4
identities now - all v heavy...
...I'm presuming its best not to continue in this way...amassing an
infinite number of Identities...
...so, I can now start a further Identity, or, preferably, put all
existing (OE1) to one side and download and start with a brand new
completely clean Outlook Express (OE2)....how can I do this and
continue to have easy access, for reference purposes only, to OE1
messages?
Thanks, John
--------