dbx file size

[Don]

I have noticed since I installed the service pack 2 that my dbx files do not
reduce in size after deleting messages. I noticed this through my backup
program that kept increasing in the size of the zip file. When I checked the
backed up files, I found that the dbx files from my Outlook Express folder
were showing several megs in size when I had deleted all the files from the
particular folder. I went into the files in Outlook Express and manually
deleted the large dbx files (after making sure that my messages were deleted
or saved in other folders) and then went back and opened the folder I had
just deleted (to reestablish it). Upon checking those files again they were
now much smaller. The files I noticed this most in were the "deleted items"
and "sent items". What's causing the files to grow in size after deleting
the messages?

 

[Service Pack]

Are you saving copies of messages that you sent on Sent Items folder? Is
your OE setup to delete all items on Deleted Items folder? Last, have you
performed maintenance Tools > Options >Maintenance Tab > Clean Up Now?

 

[Incognitus]

I have noticed since I installed the service pack 2 that my dbx files do
not reduce in size after deleting messages. I noticed this through my
backup program that kept increasing in the size of the zip file. When I
checked the backed up files, I found that the dbx files from my Outlook
Express folder were showing several megs in size when I had deleted all the
files from the particular folder. I went into the files in Outlook Express
and manually deleted the large dbx files (after making sure that my
messages were deleted or saved in other folders) and then went back and
opened the folder I had just deleted (to reestablish it). Upon checking
those files again they were now much smaller. The files I noticed this most
in were the "deleted items" and "sent items". What's causing the files to
grow in size after deleting the messages?

File | Folder | Compact all folders.

 

[Don]

I do save cpoies of sent emails ... for a period of time (usually until I
have verified that the recipient has received the mail) and then I go back
into the "sent items" folder and delete them; followed by the deletion of
the "deleted items" from the folder. I have now configured my OE to delete
items on exit but still wonder why the manual delete did not reduce the size
of the file before the backup. Lastly I am uncertain about the "clean up
now" option as I do not want to delete or lose those messages I am saving
(such as pending completion msgs, receipts, etc). The options in the "clean
up now" do not assure me that I will have control over which messages/items
are cleaned up.

 

[Don]

I just did the compact all folders and will watch my results on the backup.
Thnx

 

[Kath Adams]

Deleting mail does not free up the space until you do the Compacting.
You should do this manually, frequently whilst offline.
Do not store mail in any of the default folders of OE, move them to
folders created by you under Local Folders.

 

[Don]

Thanks for the info .. I do already use created folders for storage but had
not been compacting.