unable to compact all folders in OE

Hello. I've followed these directions from
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
Outlook Express

The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another application.

OK Cancel

How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from view and i
was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem for months without
success. Thanks.

We all run into this every now and then (usually when we've created, moved
or renamed a folder during the OE session). Simply close OE, reopen it and
compact again.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

marrie wrote:
Hello. I've followed these directions from
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
Outlook Express

The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another
application.

OK Cancel

How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from view and
i
was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem for months without
success. Thanks.

I tried that, restarted, removed my temp files, restarted, removed my
prefetch files, and restarted but i get tis message every time i try and
compact.

PA Bear wrote:
: We all run into this every now and then (usually when we've created,
: moved or renamed a folder during the OE session). Simply close OE,
: reopen it and compact again.
: --
: ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
: MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
: AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org
:
: marrie wrote:
: Hello. I've followed these directions from
:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
: and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
: Outlook Express
:
: The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another
: application.
:
: OK Cancel
:
: How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from
: view and i
: was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem for months
: without success. Thanks.

Do a manual compact:

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.

When the compact stops, grab the blue top of the error box and drag it to
the side. The folder the compact got /stuck/ on will be revealed.

If it is anything except Folders File, try compacting each folder
separately.

File | Folder | Compact for each.

If it is getting stuck on Folders File, close OE and delete Folders.dbx as
follows. Note that sup folders will appear in the folder tree by themselves,
but can quickly be dragged back to their original position.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the folder
location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then Start | Run | Ctrl+V will put the
location in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files. Otherwise, write
the location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer.

In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default
marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable
Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options
Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question {Folders.dbx}
and delete it. A new one will be created automatically when you open OE.

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.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"marrie" wrote in message
...
Hello. I've followed these directions from
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
Outlook Express

The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another
application.

OK Cancel

How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from view and
i was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem for months without
success. Thanks.

I can't drag as my screen reader will not let me do so and it won't show me
the banner thing, just the message with the ok and cancel buttons.


Bruce Hagen wrote:
: Do a manual compact:
:
: 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.
:
: When the compact stops, grab the blue top of the error box and drag
: it to the side. The folder the compact got /stuck/ on will be
: revealed.
:
: If it is anything except Folders File, try compacting each folder
: separately.
:
: File | Folder | Compact for each.
:
: If it is getting stuck on Folders File, close OE and delete
: Folders.dbx as follows. Note that sup folders will appear in the
: folder tree by themselves, but can quickly be dragged back to their
: original position.
:
: Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the
: location of your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to
: highlight the folder location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then Start |
: Run | Ctrl+V will put the location in the box - Click OK and you'll
: see the OE files. Otherwise, write the location down and navigate to
: it in Windows Explorer.
:
: In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by
: default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer,
: you must enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control
: Panel | Folder Options Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools |
: Folder Options | View.
:
: With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question
: {Folders.dbx} and delete it. A new one will be created
: automatically when you open OE.
:
: 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.
:
: Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
: http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
: --
: Bruce Hagen
: MS-MVP Outlook Express
: ~IB-CA~
:
: "marrie" wrote in message
: ...
: Hello. I've followed these directions from
:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
: and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
: Outlook Express
:
: The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another
: application.
:
: OK Cancel
:
: How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from
: view and i was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem for
: months without success. Thanks.

If it's just Folders.dbx, ignore it.

Else, close OE and then use Task Manager (right click the taskbar) to verify
that all instances of msimn.exe are closed. Then open OE, click File | Work
Offline, and try again.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
http://www.fjsmjs.com


"marrie" wrote in message
...
Hello. I've followed these directions from
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
Outlook Express

The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another
application.

OK Cancel

How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from view and
i was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem for months without
success. Thanks.

The prompt with OK and Cancel is not present when you do a manual compact
with OE open.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"marrie" wrote in message
...
I can't drag as my screen reader will not let me do so and it won't show me
the banner thing, just the message with the ok and cancel buttons.


Bruce Hagen wrote:
: Do a manual compact:
:
: 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.
:
: When the compact stops, grab the blue top of the error box and drag
: it to the side. The folder the compact got /stuck/ on will be
: revealed.
:
: If it is anything except Folders File, try compacting each folder
: separately.
:
: File | Folder | Compact for each.
:
: If it is getting stuck on Folders File, close OE and delete
: Folders.dbx as follows. Note that sup folders will appear in the
: folder tree by themselves, but can quickly be dragged back to their
: original position.
:
: Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the
: location of your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to
: highlight the folder location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then Start |
: Run | Ctrl+V will put the location in the box - Click OK and you'll
: see the OE files. Otherwise, write the location down and navigate to
: it in Windows Explorer.
:
: In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by
: default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer,
: you must enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control
: Panel | Folder Options Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools |
: Folder Options | View.
:
: With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question
: {Folders.dbx} and delete it. A new one will be created
: automatically when you open OE.
:
: 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.
:
: Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
: http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
: --
: Bruce Hagen
: MS-MVP Outlook Express
: ~IB-CA~
:
: "marrie" wrote in message
: ...
: Hello. I've followed these directions from
:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
: and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
: Outlook Express
:
: The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another
: application.
:
: OK Cancel
:
: How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from
: view and i was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem for
: months without success. Thanks.

I did that and it still says the message. I've tried even deleting what I
thought was the offending dbx file. Oh. and does it mater that i have all
toled about 103 or so folders? does the amount of folders matter in oE?
Chould this be why I'm getting the mesage? Thanks.

Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM wrote:
: If it's just Folders.dbx, ignore it.
:
: Else, close OE and then use Task Manager (right click the taskbar)
: to verify that all instances of msimn.exe are closed. Then open OE,
: click File | Work Offline, and try again.
:
: --
: Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
: http://www.fjsmjs.com
:
:
: "marrie" wrote in message
: ...
: Hello. I've followed these directions from
:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
: and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
: Outlook Express
:
: The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another
: application.
:
: OK Cancel
:
: How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from
: view and i was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem for
: months without success. Thanks.

I've seen it appear sometimes when manually compacting folders. by the way,
I can compact everything else nicely through the clean up tab except the
local folders section. Thanks.

Bruce Hagen wrote:
: The prompt with OK and Cancel is not present when you do a manual
: compact with OE open.
: --
: Bruce Hagen
: MS-MVP Outlook Express
: ~IB-CA~
:
: "marrie" wrote in message
: ...
:I can't drag as my screen reader will not let me do so and it won't
:show me the banner thing, just the message with the ok and cancel
:buttons.
:
:
: Bruce Hagen wrote:
: : Do a manual compact:
: :
: : 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.
: :
: : When the compact stops, grab the blue top of the error box and
: : drag it to the side. The folder the compact got /stuck/ on will
: : be revealed.
: :
: : If it is anything except Folders File, try compacting each folder
: : separately.
: :
: : File | Folder | Compact for each.
: :
: : If it is getting stuck on Folders File, close OE and delete
: : Folders.dbx as follows. Note that sup folders will appear in the
: : folder tree by themselves, but can quickly be dragged back to
: : their original position.
: :
: : Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the
: : location of your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to
: : highlight the folder location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then Start
: : | Run | Ctrl+V will put the location in the box - Click OK and
: : you'll see the OE files. Otherwise, write the location down and
: : navigate to it in Windows Explorer.
: :
: : In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by
: : default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows
: : Explorer, you must enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under
: : Start | Control Panel | Folder Options Icon | View, or in
: : Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.
: :
: : With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question
: : {Folders.dbx} and delete it. A new one will be created
: : automatically when you open OE.
: :
: : 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.
: :
: : Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
: : http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
: : --
: : Bruce Hagen
: : MS-MVP Outlook Express
: : ~IB-CA~
: :
: : "marrie" wrote in message
: : ...
: : Hello. I've followed these directions from
: :
:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
: : and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
: : Outlook Express
: :
: : The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another
: : application.
: :
: : OK Cancel
: :
: : How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from
: : view and i was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem
: : for months without success. Thanks.

Clean Up Now only does News. The compacting dialog box does have a Cancel
option. When compacting stops, is there not another dialog box on top of
that one? You should be able to grab the blue strip at the top using the
left mouse key and move it so you can see the Compact dialog box and see
what folder it is stuck on. You say you can't do this, but I have no idea
why you can't.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"marrie" wrote in message
...
I've seen it appear sometimes when manually compacting folders. by the
way, I can compact everything else nicely through the clean up tab except
the local folders section. Thanks.

Bruce Hagen wrote:
: The prompt with OK and Cancel is not present when you do a manual
: compact with OE open.
: --
: Bruce Hagen
: MS-MVP Outlook Express
: ~IB-CA~
:
: "marrie" wrote in message
: ...
:I can't drag as my screen reader will not let me do so and it won't
:show me the banner thing, just the message with the ok and cancel
:buttons.
:
:
: Bruce Hagen wrote:
: : Do a manual compact:
: :
: : 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.
: :
: : When the compact stops, grab the blue top of the error box and
: : drag it to the side. The folder the compact got /stuck/ on will
: : be revealed.
: :
: : If it is anything except Folders File, try compacting each folder
: : separately.
: :
: : File | Folder | Compact for each.
: :
: : If it is getting stuck on Folders File, close OE and delete
: : Folders.dbx as follows. Note that sup folders will appear in the
: : folder tree by themselves, but can quickly be dragged back to
: : their original position.
: :
: : Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the
: : location of your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to
: : highlight the folder location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then Start
: : | Run | Ctrl+V will put the location in the box - Click OK and
: : you'll see the OE files. Otherwise, write the location down and
: : navigate to it in Windows Explorer.
: :
: : In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by
: : default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows
: : Explorer, you must enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under
: : Start | Control Panel | Folder Options Icon | View, or in
: : Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.
: :
: : With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question
: : {Folders.dbx} and delete it. A new one will be created
: : automatically when you open OE.
: :
: : 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.
: :
: : Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
: : http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
: : --
: : Bruce Hagen
: : MS-MVP Outlook Express
: : ~IB-CA~
: :
: : "marrie" wrote in message
: : ...
: : Hello. I've followed these directions from
: :
:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...orruption.mspx
: : and all seemed to go well but I got the following error message.
: : Outlook Express
: :
: : The folder is currently in use by Outlook Express or by another
: : application.
: :
: : OK Cancel
: :
: : How can this be if I had teh folders list closed and hidden from
: : view and i was off line? Ive been trying to solve this problem
: : for months without success. Thanks.