Outlook Won't Lose Weight After "AutoArchive" Diet
I run Outlook 2003 so I don't think I would have the 2Gb problem referenced in your last newsletter ( http://langa.com/newsletters/2006/2006-11-02.htm#3 )... however, in the interest of keeping it smaller...I ran autoarchive on all my folders....I now have an archive.pst file in addition to outlook.pst. Problem is...outlook.pst did not change in size one whit....what's up with that? If some items move to archive.pst shouldn't outlook.pst get smaller? Thanks. Your newsletter is the best. ---Michael
Alas, Outlook (and Outlook Express, for that matter) isn't very bright about file-size management. After you remove data by deleting or through the AutoArchive feature, Outlook .PST files tend to retain their original, bloated size: When you archive or delete mail, it's not really deleted from the original folder, but just marked as archived or deleted.
Even if the size doesn't bother you, it's a potential security hole, as sensitive information you've nominally "deleted" really isn't gone, but remains in the file.
To really get rid of it and to shrink the file size, you need to "compact" the file using Outlook's well-hidden "Compact Now" (or OE's "Compact) feature. In the folder tree in Outlook's left pane, right click on Personal Folders and choose Properties. Click on the Advanced button, then the Compact Now button. In OE, it's Tools/Options/Maintenance/Clean Up Now/Compact .
If you haven't done this before, or haven't done it recently, it may take a few minutes for the old archived/deleted messages to be *really* removed from the file, and the new, trimmer version of the file to be written.
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