Is this from the prompt you get when you close OE, or a manual compact?

If it is from the prompt, this should only be seen when OE has closed.
Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and then the Applications Tab will show if any instance of
OE is running.

If this is a manual compact, make sure you are doing it this way:

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.

Since you are using XP/SP2, download this extra patch and see if it makes a
difference. You will want this anyway.

Patch KB918766:
http://tinyurl.com/mx3r2

This patch addresses some of the issues that were caused by KB911567.

Address Book problems.
Unsent templates appearing as sent.
Manually compacting will now reset the registry counter to Zero in WinXP/SP2
and also sends a copy of your dbx files to the recycle bin as a temporary
backup.

To complete the fix for .eml templates, a registry change is needed. See:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918766

Tom Koch also has this information at his site, along with a downloadable
Zip file to do the registry change for you. See:
http://www.insideoe.com/#kb918651
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Smiley" wrote in message
news:xBy%g.12650$k63.8893@trndny06...
When I use the "Compact Folders" option,I get a error message saying "
Folder Is Currently In Use By OE Or Another Application" In Folders File.
Why is this happening and what to do if anything to correct this? tia