To free up disk space, Outlook Express can compact messages. This may take up to a few minutes.

Anonymous
2010-01-04T16:48:32+00:00

Every few minutes the message :

"To free up disk space, Outlook Express can compact messages.  This may take up to a few minutes."

This is irrelevant for two reasons :

(1) I do not use Outlook Express, and therefore have no messages to compact.

(2) I do not need to free up disk space as I am currently using only five per cent of a very large disk.

Could someone please tell me how I get rid off this very irritating message.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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Anonymous
2012-06-10T21:36:30+00:00

Here are the things I did that resolved the issue for me:

I reset Compact Check Count to 0, and I uninstalled Windows Search 4.0. 

As for Outlook Express: I don't use it.

Thank you for the reply...and thanks for the advice & info.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_xp-performance/outlook-express-can-compact-messages-how-do-i-turn/b7e41d7f-d0db-4930-9c64-19e3c7b7d5cf?tm=1339359499078&page=1#_self

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Anonymous
2010-01-17T22:00:57+00:00

Try resetting the compact count in the registry:

  1. Start the registry editor.
  2. Open this key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities{identity}\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0

where identity is a string of letters, numbers, and dashes. 3. Set the value of Compact Check Count to 0. 4. Close the registry editor.

For more information, see Why You Should Let Outlook Express Compact Messages When It Asks You .

Warning: Incorrectly editing the registry might damage your system and prevent Windows from starting. Before doing it, back up your important data, make a restore point, and make sure you know how to repair a damaged system.

Boulder Computer Maven

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-08-01T05:16:20+00:00

    I've tried all the solutions listed here and more.  I am still getting this message and I DO NOT USE Outlook Express.  How can I uninstall it from my PC to get rid of this most irritating message???!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-07-26T13:29:44+00:00

    Thanks Bruce.  99% sure that fixed my system too.  If not, will report back.

    The problem only started after I upgraded to SP3, even though I had been using Windows Live Search and Windows Live Mail as my default mail client and Outlook Express had not been in my startup folder.

    Thanks again.

    You're welcome. That's probably it. It is more common that one may expect.

    Bruce Hagen ~ MS-MVP [Mail]

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-07-26T12:24:31+00:00

    Thanks Bruce.  99% sure that fixed my system too.  If not, will report back.

    The problem only started after I upgraded to SP3, even though I had been using Windows Live Search and Windows Live Mail as my default mail client and Outlook Express had not been in my startup folder.

    Thanks again.

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