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
    2010-11-21T19:47:05+00:00

    Hi All

    I'm with the majority here just wanting a fix!!

    I've revisited this discussion about once every 3 months since last March, mainly to find the Registry key to reset the compact count (because I have better things to spend my time on than trying to remember that kind of thing)

    1. Outlook Express has never been installed on this machine (although as it is a "corporate image", it may have been active at some point in the build history, I have no way of knowing)
    2. it is definitely not active in add and remove programs
    3. it is definitely not present in start up
    4. windows search definitely has all of the boxes which could cause it index OE unchecked
    5. I haven't tried letting it run, mainly because I don't trust what it will do if it can't find the right files
    6. Nero has never been installed either

    I've just reset the registry key to 0 (again) however if I recheck after rebooting it will have incremented to 1 and will continue to do so

    So any more suggestions would be gratefully received.

    Using WIN XP SP3, Office 2003, Windows search installed

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-11-16T01:41:43+00:00

    The problem is something is indexing OE.

    <Repost>  Is Windows Search installed on this machine?

    Bruce Hagen

    MS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010

    Imperial Beach, CA

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-11-16T01:37:57+00:00

    I am sorry, I thought that was implied, as I replied to the thread that addressed this.  I will retype what pops up when my computer is turned on.  "To free disk space, outlook express can compact messages.  This may take a few minutes"  I have the option to accept or cancel.

    I did uncheck the box in Add/Remove Windows Componets.  Why would this not help.  I am sorry but I do not understand.

    Reply to 3rd part of your statement: I do not feel opening OE and going to Tools, etc. is a remedy, because I do not trust outlook express and do not want to expose my computer to this system.  I have never had this problem and have had my computer since 2006.  Why would it all of a sudden (within the last few days)want to install & and compact my messages?

    I am asking what could have caused this to happen so I can stop it, and stop the message from popping up.

    Thank you for what you do in helping.

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