Change how often Outlook connects to the server

[Guest]

I know there is an easy way to go from 10 mins or whatever the default is to
have it check every minute, but I can't find it, and it's taking FOREVER to
get new email. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Hi Judy,
Outlook
Tools
Options
Internet options tap
Check my local network connections for new mail every xxx min.
Rgrds,

 

[Laura Rooke]

go to Tools, Options,Mail Setup , Send/Receive

but you can also manually hit the send/receive button.

I have the time interval set to 3 minutes.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Note that almost no servers can handle being hit for mail downloads every minute. 10-15 minutes is a good interval.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Laura Rooke]

I've seen this stated before - that 10-15 minutes is ideal - but for both my
MSN and my COMCAST accounts, I have them set to check for mail every 3
minutes - maybe I'm just too impatient - I've never had a problem, or am I
giving them problems?

--
Laura Rooke (MVP - Mobile Devices)
Note that almost no servers can handle being hit for mail downloads every
minute. 10-15 minutes is a good interval.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Brian Tillman]

I've seen this stated before - that 10-15 minutes is ideal - but for
both my MSN and my COMCAST accounts, I have them set to check for
mail every 3 minutes - maybe I'm just too impatient - I've never had
a problem, or am I giving them problems?

Three minutes can work without problems often, but if you want to make sure
you'll never run into send/receive issues caused by timing, then a longer
send/receive interval is advised. I'm aware of some ISPs that limit the
frequency with which you can link to the mail server.

 

[Laura Rooke]

Thanks Brian.

 

[Guest]

I have Outlook 2002 sp3 set to send/receive every 15 mns which seems to be
the actual frequency it checks for mail most of the time.

Frequently though, Outlook checks for mail every 1 to 2 mns! Since my
computer is otherwise unresponsive during these send/receives it is terribly
frustrating. Do you know why this occurs and what I can do about it?

Note that almost no servers can handle being hit for mail downloads every minute. 10-15 minutes is a good interval.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

You didn't say what kind of mail account(s) you have.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Guest]

Default POP/SMTP, Fax Mail Transport MAPI, and Send Fax to Outlook POP/SMTP.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I suspect that if you took out the fax accounts, you might see different behavior.

Also, do you have Outlook set to send immediately when connected?

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Guest]

I need the Fax Mail Transport account to fax. The Send Fax to Outlook is used
to send faxes from the fax console to outlook. Why do you believe them to be
troublesome? Is there a change in their configuration to be made?

Yes. Outlook is set to "send immediately when connected".

 

[Guest]

I read some other posts about file size and defragmenting the HD.

My pst is 1.69 GB. When I ran defrag it found 2 files that cannot be
defragmented, Outlook.pst being one of them. The defrag report states that it
is fragmented into 56,221 segments. If I move Outlook.pst (and the other
problem file) to a different drive, defrag my operating system HD, then move
Outlook.pst back to it, do you think it will be ok?

 

[Brian Tillman]

I read some other posts about file size and defragmenting the HD.

My pst is 1.69 GB. When I ran defrag it found 2 files that cannot be
defragmented, Outlook.pst being one of them. The defrag report states
that it is fragmented into 56,221 segments. If I move Outlook.pst
(and the other problem file) to a different drive, defrag my
operating system HD, then move Outlook.pst back to it, do you think
it will be ok?

You shouldn't have to do that. If Outlook and any add-ins referencing it
are closed completely, you should be able to defrag the PST.

 

[Guest]

I even tried to defrag in safe mode with the same results. The other file
that will not defrag is a .wmv.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I even tried to defrag in safe mode with the same results. The other
file that will not defrag is a .wmv.

I wouldn't worry too much about defragging a PST.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, but how else do I improve outlooks performance?

Outlook can take about 5 mns to start and complete a check for mail.

Every time outlook checks for mail (this feature is set to 15 mns but it
checks much more often than that) all keystrokes and mouse clicks become
temporarily unresponsive.

Every so often, previously read mail will show up as unread.

Word, as email editor, crashes frequently when closing.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Thanks, but how else do I improve outlooks performance?

Outlook can take about 5 mns to start and complete a check for mail.

Every time outlook checks for mail (this feature is set to 15 mns but
it checks much more often than that) all keystrokes and mouse clicks
become temporarily unresponsive.

Every so often, previously read mail will show up as unread.

Word, as email editor, crashes frequently when closing.

If all of this were to happen to me, I'd start with a new mail profile.

 

[Guest]

Do I use the same pst with a new mail profile or do I start over with a blank?

 

[Brian Tillman]

Do I use the same pst with a new mail profile or do I start over with
a blank?

Well, you can start with a new PST if you want, but I'd try the existing one
first. Moving data from one PST to another, while easy, is reasonably
tedious if your existing PST is of significant size. Never import, by the
way.