Auto-Archive Problem in Outlook 2003

[cynewulf]

If this has been discussed before, and a solution presented, please
point it out to me.

First, I would like to say that generically, Auto-Archive works as
it's supposed to. The inbox items archives to the inbox in the
archive.pst, etc. In fact, any of the system-created folders (Sent
Items, etc.) work the way auto-archiving is supposed to.

The problem arises with user-created folders. When auto-archiving
happens, the folders are archived, but none of the contents.

I created three folders to test this out. One folder set to the
global rules (which I have set to one month age and daily archiving),
one folder set individually to the same setting, and as a control, one
folder set not to archive at all.

Every day I drag some e-mail into each of those three, leaving some in
the inbox. Every day, I get prompted if I want to archive the old
stuff. Every day, I say that I do. I watch the messages that say
that the folders (including my test folders) are being archived. And
every day, only those in the inbox (and sent items, etc.) are actually
archived. The ones in the test folders received on the same date as
the ones left in the inbox are left behind, untouched.

I've tried monkeying around with settings on the folders, in the
archive.pst, but nothing seems to get the items in the subfolders to
archive. What am I missing?

Thanks.

--Rich

 

[Brian Tillman]

The problem arises with user-created folders. When auto-archiving
happens, the folders are archived, but none of the contents.

Archiving works by comparing the Modified dates of the items with your
archiving criterion. Anything not _modified_ within your archive interval
will be moved to the archive PST. Your testing is updating the Modified
date and so your items are not candidates for archiving.

Add the Modified field to your view and you'll see what I mean.

 

[cynewulf]

Archiving works by comparing the Modified dates of the items with your
archiving criterion.  Anything not _modified_ within your archive interval
will be moved to the archive PST.  Your testing is updating the Modified
date and so your items are not candidates for archiving.

Add the Modified field to your view and you'll see what I mean.

Ah. So the simple act of dragging a piece of mail from one folder to
another "modifies" it. That's good to know. So when the date of
dragging passes the criteria, things should kick in and work
normally. I salute your knowledge of the obscure, sir. I probably
wouldn't have stumbled across that for another six months or so.

Thank you.