compacting windows mail

[seniorcit42]

when I close out of windows mail (not live mail), I get the message "windows
mail can compact the messages store" when I click o.k. it starts and then
says "windows mail in use" and stops. I end up with 5 files on my screen that
I have to delete every time. Have checked the Defaults program for mail and
get the response "this program has all its defaults" where do I go from here?

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

Close Windows Mail. 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

 

[divots3]

It seems that when I do break down and allow the "compact" I end up loosing
and email , or more. What exactly is this function doing? I find hard to
believe that this function would delete an email. Doews it "file" emails
past a certain date in a hidden folder?

Jim

 

[Gary VanderMolen]

The compacting function in Windows Mail should not remove or delete
any email. All it does is remove the excess spaces from the database
which is an index to the messages. The spaces develop when you delete
messages.