"Windows Mail can compact the message store"

[Alicia]

It's similar to getting a warning light on your dash that the oil pressure is
getting low. Are you sure you want to ignore that?

This is a great topic, I had no idea what the message was. I thought it was
something about a message I hadn't sent, or something, but when I looked
there was nothing in the drafts or outgoing part.

But one thing I'd like to know. If its compacting all the information, isn't
that going to make things still slow, why doesn't it just delete them? Or is
it doing that? I'm a little confused on that part. Compacting is just making
it smaller, but its not deleting it right?

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Unlike OE, Windows Mail doesn't need message compaction, it only needs
message store (database) compaction. It compacts the database which is an
index or lookup table for the messages. Every time you delete an email, that
slot in the database is made into a blank. Compaction removes all the blank
spaces that have developed in the database. Periodic removal of the blanks
will make database accesses faster.

 

[...winston]

Compacting is not the same as compression.
Compacting cleans up the waste and allows the program to re-index the remaining contents for better use and access.

 

[Sam Hobbs]

But one thing I'd like to know. If its compacting all the information,
isn't
that going to make things still slow, why doesn't it just delete them? Or
is
it doing that? I'm a little confused on that part

Compacting means that the data is moved in a manner that eliminates unused
space. Accessing the data requires the same amount of time, except a
possible reduction in time, but that reduction would be so slight as to be
non-existing.

Compression means changing the data in a manner that needs to be undone when
the data is accessed.

 

[evaderew]

Only if you delete a lot of email. For the average user, doing this every
other month can help keep your WM app running at full speed.

 

[mugs]

I've had Vista installed for almost a month now and this evening I keep
getting a message when I close Windows Mail that says:

"Windows Mail can compact the message store. This can take a few minutes."
and asks "OK or Cancel"

What is this?

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Just click OK. It won't bother you again for 100 more runs.

 

[Sue]

How can I undelete compacted messages? All of my folders in Windows Mail
have been compacted and I am unable to bring them back.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Windows Mail does not compact folders or messages.
The only thing it compacts is the index to the messages, which has
the deceptive name 'message store'.
What do you mean by your folders are "compacted"? Are any folders
missing or are messages inside the folders missing?

For each folder, make sure the view is set for "Read All Messages"
instead of "Hide Read Messages".

 

[ponsonbyguy]

aha...now thats my problem! I didn't backup, need to read a "compacted"
attachment file and can't. Any known way to do this short of taking this
flippin thing into the shop?

 

[Dave]

What do you mean by "compacted attachment file"?
When WM compacts the message store, it only affects the index.
It doesn't touch the messages or the attachments.

 

[joseph farina]

how can i get rid of the message i don't want this message i don't keepmy
e-mails

 

[Dave]

Let it compact it. It compacts the index, not the messages.
When you delete your messages, the message store still contains info about
where the message was located, and it's state (deleted).. compacting will
remove this unnecessary info.
by default it offers to compact after 100 closings of the program.

 

[Sam Hobbs]

Probably the reason you are more likely to get the message is because you
don't keep your messages. Since you don't, the index gets unused space more
often than for people that keep most of their messages.

 

[vipfae]

I also have this message and carelessly picked the wrong reply to it & now
have lost important folders!-How can I get them back? I am shocked they have
disappeared entirely & I still keep getting this message which having
sufferred this blow I quickly type "Cancel" (instead of "ok).

 

[david]

I've had Vista installed for almost a month now and this evening I keep
getting a message when I close Windows Mail that says:

"Windows Mail can compact the message store. This can take a few minutes."
and asks "OK or Cancel"

What is this?

David in CA. says "I HATE THAT MESSAGE!" I wish it would go away.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

If you allow it to do what it wants to do (compact the message store),
that message should go away.

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Sounds like the compaction process did not complete.
Try running the various repair functions in the WMUtil program:
http://www.oehelp.com/WMUtil

If no improvement, upgrade to Windows Live Mail:
http://download.live.com/wlmail

 

[Steve Cochran]

Folders should not be removed from compacting unless some 3rd party program
interferes. Try searching the message store in Explorer for the various
folders and their eml files. See www.oehelp.com/backup.aspx for more
information on where the messages are stored.

steve

 

[vipfae]

I have the same problem.Did you get help with this? If so, will you please
let me know.Thank you
(e-mail address removed)