Why is opening Outlook so slow

[Guest]

Hi,

I am running outlook (version from office xp) with xp pro sp2. Why does it
take so long to open outlook? I have 4 email accts with 4 different IPs.
Also I am on several email lists and 4000 unopened emails that I am saving
for future lookups when needed.
Should I be doing a compress or something? If so, how? I do not delete
many emails.

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Do you archive? I would perform an archive, set up an auto archive, and then
compact your PST.
Compact by: Go to Folder List. Right Click Personal Folders and Choose
Properties. Next clixk Advanced and then choose Compact.
Check the size of your PST.
The default location is: C:\Documents and Settings\your name\Local
Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Otherwise you can do a search for *.pst
I also believe you have to unhide folder to see it if it's in the default.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply. I belong to a few "How to" mailing lists, so that is
why I save 90% of the email, even if it is unread. That way I can search for
it when needed. If I archive, will I be able to go into Outlook and do a
search and find stuff in both my "current" pst file and the archive? Or do I
have to use some other means to do a search across both .psts?

Thanks.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I am running outlook (version from office xp) with xp pro sp2. Why
does it take so long to open outlook? I have 4 email accts with 4
different IPs. Also I am on several email lists and 4000 unopened
emails that I am saving for future lookups when needed.
Should I be doing a compress or something? If so, how? I do not
delete many emails.

What version of Outlook? What types of accounts? Have you turned off IM
integration at the bottom of Tools>Options>Other?

 

[Guest]

You can search your archive as well when in Outlook. When you want to look it
up you can go to: File, Open, Personal Folders File and open your archive.pst
It will always be there in your list of folders unless you right click
archive and choose close. So you can open and close the Archive at anytime.
I have about 4-6 daily emails that I subscribe to as well. I archive
everything except 3 months and newer. I usually don't need to go back any
further, but it's always there if I need it.

 

[Francine Otterson]

There can be several factors that can cause Outlook to run slowing including
profile, program or network issue. I would start with checking the basics
first.

I take it you are not on an Exchange server and all of your emails are being
delivered to personal folders. The person folder(s) may have become to
large function efficiently. I typically recommend not going over 800mb
because I see performance issues beyond that. I would start by bringing the
personal folders down to manageable sizes and doing scanpst on them to
ensure there is no corruption.

Also run a detect and repair on the Program itself under Help to see if any
errors are found.

Make sure the all updates have been doe on the system as well.

Regards,

 

[Guest]

Not sure what you mean by "type" of accounts. how would I determine the type
that I have? I did not turn off IM intergration, so whatever the default is.
I will have to lookup outlook version at home.

Thanks.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Not sure what you mean by "type" of accounts. how would I determine
the type that I have?

You knew the types when you added the accounts (i.e., Exchange, POP, HTTP,
IMAP), how could you have forgotten them?

 

[Guest]

I am running Outlook 2000 and am having a similar problem as the original
poster. I am also not on an exchange server, this is just my home computer.
Sometimes it can take 2-5 minutes to open Outlook, which is a ridiculous
amount of time.

I don't understand why the size of your personal folders would affect the
speed with which Outlook opens. Could someone explain? I can understand if
you're searching for an email, it'll take a long time because of the quantity
of emails. But why would that affect the speed with which the Outlook program
opens up?