Calling all computer whizzes-Need Computer advice/email questions (upkeep, stores)

[ADR]

Ok. I keep getting pop up on Outlook express saying : Error: Outlook Express can compress all messages to free up disk space-allow-yes/no.

My email is running slow and I am sure this probably needs done bad, I have NEVER done it.

But I read on internet where some people lost emails and folders whn they allowed it.

Should I do it

Don't do it

Back up all my outlook express( however you do that) and the allow it.

What to do-what to do.

[rdub1968]

You can safely compress your email. You can back everything up first to be safe.
You should also clean out your deleted items, sent items, and inbox of any emails you no longer need. That will help performance a little.
Although if your 'email' is running slow, I would think it is because of your computer not the Outlook Express.

[jwp1983]

Originally Posted by rdub1968

You can safely compress your email. You can back everything up first to be safe.
You should also clean out your deleted items, sent items, and inbox of any emails you no longer need. That will help performance a little.
Although if your 'email' is running slow, I would think it is because of your computer not the Outlook Express.

^^ This!

If you're using POP as your email protocol then it creates a file on your pc and stores all emails in it. This would get bigger and bigger, obviously, with the more email you receive, create, send, and delete. Like rdub said, delete as much as you possibly can, this will help your email client (Outlook Express) run faster. Also, for good upkeep, I'd run a defrag after deleting emails.

If you're using Exchange as your email protocol then the same holds true. Delete as much as you can. Emails are hosted and saved on a server but you have a temporary file that opens everytime you connect to the mail server. The more email you have, the longer it will take to load Outlook Express with all of the emails you have.

PM me if you have any questions.

[bs13690]

What exactly do you mean by it is running slow?

1. When you first open the program, does it take longer to load than it used to?
2. Is it slow to open emails, create emails, etc.?
3. After the program loads does it just run slow?

Compressing the email may speed up performance as compression basically removes the "empty" spaces. When you delete emails it sort of leaves an empty space in the database. Compression removes that space making the file smaller. As a general rule a smaller file is accessed more quickly.

You might also try running Disk Defragmenter.

[rdub1968]

I guess I should add you should look into getting an email account from either Gmail, Yahoo, etc. and forgo the email clients entirely. Unless you have dial up, there is no need for an Outlook Express any more. Either that and if you use a laptop and compose emails offline.

I have had the same Yahoo email account for over 10 years and have switched ISPs probably 10 times. I don't use ISP email any more, and don't have to worry about losing emails or contacts since it is all stored on their reliable servers.

[ADR]

Originally Posted by rdub1968

I guess I should add you should look into getting an email account from either Gmail, Yahoo, etc. and forgo the email clients entirely. Unless you have dial up, there is no need for an Outlook Express any more. Either that and if you use a laptop and compose emails offline.

I have had the same Yahoo email account for over 10 years and have switched ISPs probably 10 times. I don't use ISP email any more, and don't have to worry about losing emails or contacts since it is all stored on their reliable servers.

Can I switch to Yahoo or someone else recommended Thunderbird without losing all that is stored in Outlook folders now? Or should I save anything from Outlook folders I wish to keep on hard drive and get rid of folders in Outlook? My wife has several folders with stuff saved from years in Outlook .


Thanks to all by the way, as you can tell we are computer novices.

[rdub1968]

Thunderbird is another program like Outlook Express. If you wanted those emails elsewhere you would have to forward them to your Gmail or Yahoo account then file them in the online folders you create.

I would move to the online email (as long as you don't compose a lot of email offline), then go through and decide what you really need. I think they also have an Import feature so you can import contacts.