It's been a long time for me. XP/SP2 doesn't have background compacting, so
my memory is a little fuzzy.

Has it been working, although not the number of days you want? That would
suggest you can turn on background compacting, make the change, and then
turn it off, but I don't believe that is the case.

I use one of the following methods to delete messages. Not automatic, but
quick.

There are many options.

You can create a message such as this:

ToolsMessage RulesNews.

Box 1: Where the message was sent more than days ago
Box 2: Delete it
Box 3: Click on "Days" and choose the # of days you want.
Name the rule.

*NOTE* This will not delete messages automatically. You have to go to
ToolsMessage
RulesNews, and click Apply Now when you want to do this. Also, you will be
given a choice of which newsgroup, or news server, to delete from after you
click Apply Now.

If you want to delete a selection of messages, but not the first or last,
click on the last message you want to delete, scroll up as far as you want
to delete messages, hold down the Shift key and click on that message. This
will highlight the messages in blue. Hit the Delete key.

If you want to delete every message after a certain one, click on the newest
message you want deleted. Hold Ctrl+Shift and tap the End key, then Delete.

If you want to delete all messages in a newsgroup, highlight any message -
Hold Ctrl & A and tap Delete.

Any way you do it, follow up by compacting all your folders *manually* while
working offline, and in Outlook Express at the top of the Folder Tree.

FileWork Offline (or double click Working Online in the Status Bar).
FileFolderCompact all folders.

In ToolsOptionsMaintenance: Uncheck: Compact messages in background. {N/A
if running XP-SP2}.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"CWLee" wrote in message
...
I'm running W-2000/pro, Outlook Express. I have a faint
memory of there being a place to set the number of days a
newsgroup message appears, and thereafter if deletes itself.
I think I originally set it for 7 days or 10 days. Now I
want to change it and I cannot find the place/method. Can
anyone here refresh my memory? Thanks.


--
----------
CWLee
"I appreciate those who walk out from the edges with
torches or even in the dark with their hands out in front
of them. We need those explorers and weirdos. I am
so grateful when I find that I am not the first." - Sally
Amsbury.