Compacting Files Folder
 

Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an error
notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by
another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could cause
this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice at the end of
the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this error? I
am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated application that
I can think of turned off, but apparently I am missing something.

Thanks

Compacting Files Folder
 

Reboot and try again. If it still fails, grab the blue strip of the error
prompt and drag it out of the way. This will expose what folder it got stuck
on. Let us know.

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
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an error
notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or
by another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could cause
this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice at the end
of the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this error?
I am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated application
that I can think of turned off, but apparently I am missing something.

Thanks

Compacting Files Folder
 

It happens at the last item "Folder Options" and appears to have processed
everything except at the end I am getting this error notice.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Reboot and try again. If it still fails, grab the blue strip of the error
prompt and drag it out of the way. This will expose what folder it got
stuck on. Let us know.

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
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an error
notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or
by another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could cause
this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice at the end
of the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this error?
I am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated application
that I can think of turned off, but apparently I am missing something.

Thanks

Compacting Files Folder
 

There is no dbx file named Folder Options. There is Folders File. Is that
the folder it is stuck on?

Do you have any exotic third party programs for OE like a e-mail
notification program? Anything like that can cause this.

If not, go to Start | Run and type in:

msconfig

Go to the Startup Tab and uncheck everything. Restart the computer and go
directly into OE and try to compact now.

If it still won't compact, close OE and open the message store and delete
Folders.dbx. Reboot, open OE and now try.

Note that after you delete Folders.dbx, subfolders in the folder tree will
be out in the open and will need to be dragged back to where they were.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
It happens at the last item "Folder Options" and appears to have processed
everything except at the end I am getting this error notice.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Reboot and try again. If it still fails, grab the blue strip of the error
prompt and drag it out of the way. This will expose what folder it got
stuck on. Let us know.

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
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an error
notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook Express
or by another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could cause
this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice at the end
of the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this
error? I am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated
application that I can think of turned off, but apparently I am missing
something.

Thanks

Compacting Files Folder
 

Hi Bruce:

My error, as it should have read Folders File as you indicate. If I go
into the Startup Tab and turn everything off I do not get this error. I
guess that I could start trying each item in Startup until I find the
culprit.

Thanks


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There is no dbx file named Folder Options. There is Folders File. Is that
the folder it is stuck on?

Do you have any exotic third party programs for OE like a e-mail
notification program? Anything like that can cause this.

If not, go to Start | Run and type in:

msconfig

Go to the Startup Tab and uncheck everything. Restart the computer and go
directly into OE and try to compact now.

If it still won't compact, close OE and open the message store and delete
Folders.dbx. Reboot, open OE and now try.

Note that after you delete Folders.dbx, subfolders in the folder tree will
be out in the open and will need to be dragged back to where they were.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
It happens at the last item "Folder Options" and appears to have
processed everything except at the end I am getting this error notice.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Reboot and try again. If it still fails, grab the blue strip of the
error prompt and drag it out of the way. This will expose what folder it
got stuck on. Let us know.

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
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an
error notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook
Express or by another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could
cause this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice at
the end of the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this
error? I am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated
application that I can think of turned off, but apparently I am missing
something.

Thanks

Compacting Files Folder
 

YW.

Yes about turning back on one at a time. You see that some items have been
rechecked automatically, and there are some things you should be able to
leave unchecked, such as a printer, which will speed up your boot up time.

Please let us know what the culprit program is as it will help us in the
future.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi Bruce:

My error, as it should have read Folders File as you indicate. If I go
into the Startup Tab and turn everything off I do not get this error. I
guess that I could start trying each item in Startup until I find the
culprit.

Thanks


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There is no dbx file named Folder Options. There is Folders File. Is that
the folder it is stuck on?

Do you have any exotic third party programs for OE like a e-mail
notification program? Anything like that can cause this.

If not, go to Start | Run and type in:

msconfig

Go to the Startup Tab and uncheck everything. Restart the computer and go
directly into OE and try to compact now.

If it still won't compact, close OE and open the message store and delete
Folders.dbx. Reboot, open OE and now try.

Note that after you delete Folders.dbx, subfolders in the folder tree
will be out in the open and will need to be dragged back to where they
were.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
It happens at the last item "Folder Options" and appears to have
processed everything except at the end I am getting this error notice.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Reboot and try again. If it still fails, grab the blue strip of the
error prompt and drag it out of the way. This will expose what folder
it got stuck on. Let us know.

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
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an
error notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook
Express or by another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could
cause this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice at
the end of the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this
error? I am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated
application that I can think of turned off, but apparently I am
missing something.

Thanks

Compacting Files Folder
 

Tom, I've found that this occurs only if I've moved, created, deleted or
renamed a folder during the OE session. Simply closing & reopening OE then
compacting again resolves it.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

ColTom2 wrote:
Hi Bruce:

My error, as it should have read Folders File as you indicate. If I go
into the Startup Tab and turn everything off I do not get this error. I
guess that I could start trying each item in Startup until I find the
culprit.

Thanks


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There is no dbx file named Folder Options. There is Folders File. Is that
the folder it is stuck on?

Do you have any exotic third party programs for OE like a e-mail
notification program? Anything like that can cause this.

If not, go to Start | Run and type in:

msconfig

Go to the Startup Tab and uncheck everything. Restart the computer and go
directly into OE and try to compact now.

If it still won't compact, close OE and open the message store and delete
Folders.dbx. Reboot, open OE and now try.

Note that after you delete Folders.dbx, subfolders in the folder tree
will
be out in the open and will need to be dragged back to where they were.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
It happens at the last item "Folder Options" and appears to have
processed everything except at the end I am getting this error notice.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Reboot and try again. If it still fails, grab the blue strip of the
error prompt and drag it out of the way. This will expose what folder
it
got stuck on. Let us know.

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
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an
error notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook
Express or by another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could
cause this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice at
the end of the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this
error? I am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated
application that I can think of turned off, but apparently I am
missing
something.

Thanks

Compacting Files Folder
 

Hi Pa Bear:

Again it's on a friends computer and I will try this and advise
accordingly. Seems as if I had closed OE and still got this error at the
end, but will recheck.

Tom


"PA Bear" wrote in message
...
Tom, I've found that this occurs only if I've moved, created, deleted or
renamed a folder during the OE session. Simply closing & reopening OE
then compacting again resolves it.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

ColTom2 wrote:
Hi Bruce:

My error, as it should have read Folders File as you indicate. If I go
into the Startup Tab and turn everything off I do not get this error. I
guess that I could start trying each item in Startup until I find the
culprit.

Thanks


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There is no dbx file named Folder Options. There is Folders File. Is
that
the folder it is stuck on?

Do you have any exotic third party programs for OE like a e-mail
notification program? Anything like that can cause this.

If not, go to Start | Run and type in:

msconfig

Go to the Startup Tab and uncheck everything. Restart the computer and
go
directly into OE and try to compact now.

If it still won't compact, close OE and open the message store and
delete
Folders.dbx. Reboot, open OE and now try.

Note that after you delete Folders.dbx, subfolders in the folder tree
will
be out in the open and will need to be dragged back to where they were.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
It happens at the last item "Folder Options" and appears to have
processed everything except at the end I am getting this error notice.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Reboot and try again. If it still fails, grab the blue strip of the
error prompt and drag it out of the way. This will expose what folder
it
got stuck on. Let us know.

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
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an
error notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook
Express or by another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could
cause this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice
at
the end of the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this
error? I am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated
application that I can think of turned off, but apparently I am
missing
something.

Thanks

Compacting Files Folder
 

Hi Bruce:

I am going to try Pa Bear's suggestion and if that does not stop the error
then I will do as you recommend. Will post accordingly.

Tom


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
YW.

Yes about turning back on one at a time. You see that some items have been
rechecked automatically, and there are some things you should be able to
leave unchecked, such as a printer, which will speed up your boot up time.

Please let us know what the culprit program is as it will help us in the
future.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi Bruce:

My error, as it should have read Folders File as you indicate. If I go
into the Startup Tab and turn everything off I do not get this error. I
guess that I could start trying each item in Startup until I find the
culprit.

Thanks


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There is no dbx file named Folder Options. There is Folders File. Is
that the folder it is stuck on?

Do you have any exotic third party programs for OE like a e-mail
notification program? Anything like that can cause this.

If not, go to Start | Run and type in:

msconfig

Go to the Startup Tab and uncheck everything. Restart the computer and
go directly into OE and try to compact now.

If it still won't compact, close OE and open the message store and
delete Folders.dbx. Reboot, open OE and now try.

Note that after you delete Folders.dbx, subfolders in the folder tree
will be out in the open and will need to be dragged back to where they
were.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
It happens at the last item "Folder Options" and appears to have
processed everything except at the end I am getting this error notice.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Reboot and try again. If it still fails, grab the blue strip of the
error prompt and drag it out of the way. This will expose what folder
it got stuck on. Let us know.

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
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an
error notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook
Express or by another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could
cause this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice
at the end of the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this
error? I am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated
application that I can think of turned off, but apparently I am
missing something.

Thanks

Compacting Files Folder
 

Besides taking care of all the other standard recommendations you're so well
aware of (see below in case you forgot wink), do your friend a favor and
replace the Main Identity with a Named Identity (File Identities Add new
identity). Assuming all is well, (1) compact all folders in the old
identity, (2) import messages from the old identity into the new one, and
then (3) delete the old one (File Identities Manage Identities).

To avoid such corruption in futu

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Disable Background Compacting [not available in SP2] and frequently
perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working offline". More at
http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- WinXP SP2 only: Do not shut down your machine while Windows is
automatically compacting your message store.

- Your anti-virus application's email scanning feature can also cause such
corruption. Disable it. It provides no additional protection.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)


ColTom2 wrote:
Hi Pa Bear:

Again it's on a friends computer and I will try this and advise
accordingly. Seems as if I had closed OE and still got this error at the
end, but will recheck.

Tom


"PA Bear" wrote in message
...
Tom, I've found that this occurs only if I've moved, created, deleted or
renamed a folder during the OE session. Simply closing & reopening OE
then compacting again resolves it.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

ColTom2 wrote:
Hi Bruce:

My error, as it should have read Folders File as you indicate. If I go
into the Startup Tab and turn everything off I do not get this error. I
guess that I could start trying each item in Startup until I find the
culprit.

Thanks


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
There is no dbx file named Folder Options. There is Folders File. Is
that
the folder it is stuck on?

Do you have any exotic third party programs for OE like a e-mail
notification program? Anything like that can cause this.

If not, go to Start | Run and type in:

msconfig

Go to the Startup Tab and uncheck everything. Restart the computer and
go
directly into OE and try to compact now.

If it still won't compact, close OE and open the message store and
delete
Folders.dbx. Reboot, open OE and now try.

Note that after you delete Folders.dbx, subfolders in the folder tree
will
be out in the open and will need to be dragged back to where they were.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
It happens at the last item "Folder Options" and appears to have
processed everything except at the end I am getting this error notice.


"Bruce Hagen" wrote in message
...
Reboot and try again. If it still fails, grab the blue strip of the
error prompt and drag it out of the way. This will expose what folder
it
got stuck on. Let us know.

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
~IB-CA~

"ColTom2" wrote in message
...
Hi:

At the end of the compacting files folder process I am getting an
error notice as follows: "This folder is currently in use by Outlook
Express or by another application""

I have all applications that I can think of turned off that could
cause this including Anti-Virus, but I am still getting this notice
at
the end of the compacting process.

Does anyone have any idea as to what application could cause this
error? I am currently using Selected Startup and have any associated
application that I can think of turned off, but apparently I am
missing
something.

Thanks