It could be anything from needing a little TLC to malware. Start with the
easy ones.

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}.

OLEXP: Outlook Express Stops Responding and Your Pointer Appears as an
Hourglass:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/259927
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA


"MrsMeep" wrote in message
...
Hi,

My Outlook Express works fine for several minutes, and then just stops
responding. If I close the program and re-open it, it then works fine
again for a few more messages. I've had this computer for 3 years. I am
storing quite a few messages in folders. I don't know if that affects
proper operation or not. I have McAfee, and set to not scan email.

To use OE for any length of time, I have to open and close the program
continually.

Any help you might have would be very much appreciated.

Thank you,
Peggy