My understanding of IE files are that they are, in effect, like a database
wherein deleted record are only 'marked for deletion' until the file is
compacted at which time all the extraneous records are actually deleted.

Why do you want to uncompact your OE files? Unless a file has become
corrupt I can't see a good reason for doing so. You could go back to a
recent backup and restore those file - but you would loose any emails
received and sent in the mean time.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions

"Stan" wrote in message
news:QzyEg.404817$iF6.48679@pd7tw2no...
Everytime I closed Outlook Express, I would get a pop up window asking me
whether I wanted to compact my files. Space was never an issue so I always
said no. Tonight I accidently clicked yes and all my folders in outlook
express go compacted.
Can I reverse this process?