"Windows Mail can compact the message store"

Carol in GA

unread,

Feb 17, 2007, 9:37:05 PM2/17/07

to

I've had Vista installed for almost a month now and this evening I keep
getting a message when I close Windows Mail that says:

"Windows Mail can compact the message store. This can take a few minutes."
and asks "OK or Cancel"

What is this?

Richard Urban

unread,

Feb 17, 2007, 11:47:31 PM2/17/07

to

When you delete messages the space isn't necessarily freed up. By compacting
the store occasionally, every 100 shutdowns by default, it keeps the store
smaller than it otherwise would be. This is a good thing BTW.

--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

"Carol in GA" <Caro...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:42087CFE-CBA9-4715...@microsoft.com...

Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM

unread,

Feb 18, 2007, 8:55:13 AM2/18/07

to

"Richard Urban" <richardurba...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:u1SYnfx...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> When you delete messages the space isn't necessarily freed up. By
> compacting the store occasionally, every 100 shutdowns by default, it
> keeps the store smaller than it otherwise would be. This is a good thing
> BTW.

Actually, WinMail does not keep the message itself in the database. It does
store all sorts of information about the message there, though, and that
space is not recovered until the database is compacted. Steve Cochran has
written a nice little free program dealing with the database, WMUtil:
http://www.oehelp.com/WMUtil/Default.aspx

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Answer in newsgroup. Don't expect an answer to email.

Justin

unread,

Mar 16, 2007, 2:03:44 AM3/16/07

to

What are the advantages of that program?

You can compact the DB yourself. To repair the DB, seems to me you are
better off just deleting it and letting it rebuild. Even with 7,000+ emails
it didn't take very long.

Clean blank files?

Thanks

"Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM" <franks...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:7E76E693-E9A5-4090...@microsoft.com...

Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM

unread,

Mar 20, 2007, 9:37:16 PM3/20/07

to

"Justin" <No...@None.com> wrote in message
news:ui3uuF5...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> What are the advantages of that program?
>
> You can compact the DB yourself. To repair the DB, seems to me you are
> better off just deleting it and letting it rebuild. Even with 7,000+
> emails it didn't take very long.

I don't see how to compact the database yourself, and deleting it must be
done in both locations and then the rebuilding causes me problems with
duplicate messages.

Justin

unread,

Mar 23, 2007, 5:58:30 PM3/23/07

to

"Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM" <franks...@mvps.org> wrote in message

news:4BCBAC61-140A-4AD0...@microsoft.com...

> "Justin" <No...@None.com> wrote in message
> news:ui3uuF5...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> What are the advantages of that program?
>>
>> You can compact the DB yourself. To repair the DB, seems to me you are
>> better off just deleting it and letting it rebuild. Even with 7,000+
>> emails it didn't take very long.
>
>
> I don't see how to compact the database yourself, and deleting it must be
> done in both locations and then the rebuilding causes me problems with
> duplicate messages.

Dups - That's odd. No problems here.

I believe by default WM will compact every 100 runs. Change it to 1 and
exit. Then put it back.

Steve Cochran

unread,

Mar 27, 2007, 10:09:20 PM3/27/07

to

In WinMail, unlike OE, the messages don't get compacted, only the database
does. So they won't be affected.

Justin

unread,

Mar 29, 2007, 2:09:01 PM3/29/07

to

Only if you delete a lot of email. For the average user, doing this every
other month can help keep your WM app running at full speed.

"TK" <T...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:91290CDB-FEA2-47E1...@microsoft.com...
>
> So what I get from this is that it is a good thing to compact the message
> store? I have just been saying no, because I wasn't sure what it was.
> Thanks.

Steve Cochran

unread,

Mar 29, 2007, 5:59:34 PM3/29/07

to

Yes. It removes old entries in the database and cleans it up.

steve

"TK" <T...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:91290CDB-FEA2-47E1...@microsoft.com...
>
> So what I get from this is that it is a good thing to compact the message
> store? I have just been saying no, because I wasn't sure what it was.
> Thanks.
> "Steve Cochran" wrote:
>

sirsally

unread,

Apr 30, 2007, 2:42:12 PM4/30/07

to

mikeyhsd

unread,

Apr 30, 2007, 6:58:31 PM4/30/07

to

when you delete mail it leaves holes in the data base.

compacting just gets rid of the holes and makes WM run more smoothly.

just do not disturb the compacting till it gets done.

personally I find that 100 closing is too long to wait, and have mine set to compact at 5 closings.

mike...@comcast.net

"sirsally" <sirs...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:93F11E6E-8716-40CB...@microsoft.com...

Captain Dan

unread,

May 27, 2007, 11:41:02 AM5/27/07

to

I'm trying to post this as a new question ... but that button is not
responding to enable me to do so ... what a pain!! Anyway ... is there any
way this notification can be turned off? I keep getting it and it's very
annoying...

Richard Urban

unread,

May 27, 2007, 12:08:59 PM5/27/07

to

If you want the message store to be compacted occasionally (highly
desirable) you will need to see this message to allow you to choose to do
so.

You can change the frequency of the compacts. On a fresh install of Vista -
not an upgrade from Windows XP - the default is once for every 100 times you
exit Windows Mail. I would NOT suggest you go any higher that this setting.
I have it set to compact every 25 exits.

--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

"Captain Dan" <Capta...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FD9406D9-492E-4E31...@microsoft.com...

Parker@discussions.microsoft.com Jim Parker

unread,

May 31, 2007, 10:24:00 AM5/31/07

to

Jim Parker

unread,

May 31, 2007, 10:25:01 AM5/31/07

to

where do they go?

I have not been able to locate e mails like I could with OUTLOOK

??THANKS
JIM

H.Craven

unread,

Aug 9, 2007, 7:18:09 AM8/9/07

to

I agree very much
--

Chaz

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Aug 16, 2007, 10:38:41 PM8/16/07

to

Let it do its thing. The message store needs to be compacted periodically.

Gary VanderMolen

"U2ooner" <U2o...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:C6E82FAA-6400-4A5F...@microsoft.com...
> My question is the same as Carol in GA. How do you get rid of the message?

Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM

unread,

Aug 23, 2007, 7:50:40 AM8/23/07

to

Bad idea.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM

Do not send mail.

"DarkMaster108" <DarkMa...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B0F5C085-7069-44F5...@microsoft.com...
> If you want to turn it off, go to:
>
> Tools>Options>Advanced>Maintenace
>
> and uncheck the box which says "Compact the database on shutdown every..."
>
> However, its a good idea to do it, it doesn't delete any messages, but can
> spped up WM.

>
> "U2ooner" wrote:
>
>> My question is the same as Carol in GA. How do you get rid of the
>> message?
>>
>> "Jim Parker" wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >

Anne

unread,

Aug 30, 2007, 7:02:02 PM8/30/07

to

"Richard Urban" wrote:

> When you delete messages the space isn't necessarily freed up. By compacting
> the store occasionally, every 100 shutdowns by default, it keeps the store
> smaller than it otherwise would be. This is a good thing BTW.
>

> -- So, does this mean to click "OK"

G in AZ@discussions.microsoft.com Amy G in AZ

unread,

Sep 24, 2007, 4:38:03 AM9/24/07

to

Yeah I have been wondering that exact same thing. I had emails and then they
were gone, and I can't find them!!

slee

unread,

Sep 24, 2007, 11:02:01 AM9/24/07

to

Well...Whatis this? It keeps popping up every few seconds.
--
slee

Dave

unread,

Sep 24, 2007, 11:06:32 AM9/24/07

to

Click on OK, and Windows Mail will remove the deleted messages, and reclaim
the space they took up.

"slee" <sl...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3219A85B-9812-4E1D...@microsoft.com...

Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM

unread,

Sep 24, 2007, 11:24:02 AM9/24/07

to

"Dave" <da...@beepbeep.com> wrote in message
news:e74FCyr$HHA...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Unlike Outlook Express, WinMail does not store messages in a DBX file.
Instead, each message is an individual EML file. What gets compacted is the
database that WinMail uses to keep track of all the messages. Like any
database, "deleting" a message just marks the record to be deleted. Then
the message is actually deleted, but the database still has the record until
it is compacted. This means the database keeps getting bigger (and slower)
until it is compacted.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM

I won't answer email.

Geri

unread,

Sep 28, 2007, 4:58:01 PM9/28/07

to

Hi
So in plain english is it a good thing to say yes to compact messages or
not? Will I lose my messages if I compact them or is it just compacting old
ones. I am not great with computers and I don't like saying yes to things I
don't know what they are. So just a simple answer if you please should we do
this and will it create problems with my computer if I do? It sounds like
other people have had problems after they have done this. Thank you in
advance for your help.

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Sep 28, 2007, 5:05:00 PM9/28/07

to

Yes, it is a good thing. It should not create problems.

Gary VanderMolen

"Geri" <Ge...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:C05A979E-A005-4A48...@microsoft.com...

slee

unread,

Oct 2, 2007, 8:54:00 AM10/2/07

to

How do you stop the window that keeps popping up everytime you read an email?
This is very annoying.
--
slee

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Oct 2, 2007, 8:11:02 PM10/2/07

to

What does the windows say?
You mean the one about compacting the message store? That one
should not come up every time you read an email.

Gary VanderMolen [MS MVP-WLM]

"slee" <sl...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:49DA3E88-8D8A-429C...@microsoft.com...

Bobbie

unread,

Oct 7, 2007, 10:19:00 PM10/7/07

to

--
bobbie

hriba dhaou

unread,

Oct 7, 2007, 10:25:05 PM10/7/07

to

"Bobbie" <Bob...@discussions.microsoft.com> a écrit dans le message de
news:7FC95834-4FA2-43E8...@microsoft.com...

pkfav

unread,

Oct 7, 2007, 11:48:01 PM10/7/07

to

"Carol in GA" wrote:

> I've had Vista installed for almost a month now and this evening I keep
> getting a message when I close Windows Mail that says:
>
> "Windows Mail can compact the message store. This can take a few minutes."
> and asks "OK or Cancel"
>
> What is this?

I also just started to get this prompt.thak god i havet used it yet
util i could fid more out about it!i persoalized my laptop so wast expectig
to have this kid of waste of space after deletig a e-mail so i would
appreciate a full laymens terms explaination about the whole matter ad if its
best to just ot bother with it or if is eventually going to cause any kind
of problem!thaks for any help on this whole matter in advance! thanks
pkfav/dean

Warren

unread,

Oct 8, 2007, 5:34:39 AM10/8/07

to

The Vista Mail compression just compacts the messages to be next to each
other. Like, drop a handful of silly putty into a plastic sandwich bag.
Now, burp that bag. If you don't know what burp means, simply squeeze the
bag around the silly putty to bleed out all the air, and then close the bag
when all the air is out of the bag. That's all it does, in laymen's terms.
:) Will not erase, delete, or change any messages in any way you will see
through Windows Mail. It only makes your computer and hard drive more
efficient/faster.

"pkfav" <pk...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:98F07620-9F29-477F...@microsoft.com...

Cal Bear '66

unread,

Oct 8, 2007, 1:06:14 PM10/8/07

to

It does not compact the message store -- it compacts the message database. A
very good idea to help prevent corruption. I have mine set to compact the
database on every Windows Mail shutdown, and after nine months of use, I have
had no problems with Windows Mail.

I Bleed Blue and Gold
GO BEARS!

"Warren" <sand...@carolina.rr.com> wrote in message
news:OYk635Y...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

at the keyboard@discussions.microsoft.com Grandma at the keyboard

unread,

Oct 10, 2007, 11:43:00 PM10/10/07

to

Grandma at the keyboard

unread,

Oct 10, 2007, 11:54:02 PM10/10/07

to

I read all the answers to this question and I still don't understand... do I
click yes or cancel... and why?

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Oct 11, 2007, 12:55:49 AM10/11/07

to

Click Yes. Compaction needs to take place periodically.

--
Gary VanderMolen [MS MVP-WLM]

"Grandma at the keyboard" <Grandmaatt...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:14B5D760-225A-4A26...@microsoft.com...

Dave

unread,

Oct 11, 2007, 12:09:34 PM10/11/07

to

Click Yes.
It's like a trash compactor... removes empty space.

"Grandma at the keyboard" <Grandmaatt...@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote in message news:14B5D760-225A-4A26...@microsoft.com...

Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM

unread,

Oct 11, 2007, 9:05:34 PM10/11/07

to

"Gary VanderMolen" <ga...@NoMail.invalid> wrote in message
news:%23Zh2BM8...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Click Yes. Compaction needs to take place periodically.
>
> --
> Gary VanderMolen [MS MVP-WLM]

Just noticed your new signature. :)

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP IE, OE/WM

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Oct 11, 2007, 10:39:29 PM10/11/07

to

"Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM" <franks...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:2E8CD713-BEAE-46DD...@microsoft.com...

> "Gary VanderMolen" <ga...@NoMail.invalid> wrote in message news:%23Zh2BM8...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>

> Just noticed your new signature. :)

Yep, that was effective October 1st.
Now I have to be on my best behavior. ;-)

Julia

unread,

Oct 22, 2007, 12:03:03 PM10/22/07

to

Not sure if my question is getting through so here goes again. After
compacting winmail I have lost a folder. Where can I find it. I did not
touch anything before completion. I am running vista home premium.
Thanks
Julia

Willc

unread,

Nov 12, 2007, 1:58:02 PM11/12/07

to

Frank,
I need to keep a track of all of my messages/content/received/sent and when
I compact them they are removed are they not? If they are moved how do we
find where they are? Or do we have to save each email and reply separetly in
its own folder?

Greatly appreciate any help.

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Nov 12, 2007, 3:01:55 PM11/12/07

to

Compacting should not remove or affect any non-deleted messages.

--
Gary VanderMolen [MS-MVP WLM]

"Willc" <Wi...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:041D574A-31CA-4C92...@microsoft.com...

Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM

unread,

Nov 13, 2007, 8:53:32 AM11/13/07

to

"Willc" <Wi...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:041D574A-31CA-4C92...@microsoft.com...

> Frank,
> I need to keep a track of all of my messages/content/received/sent and
> when
> I compact them they are removed are they not? If they are moved how do we
> find where they are? Or do we have to save each email and reply separetly
> in
> its own folder?
>

> "Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM" wrote:
>
>> "Richard Urban" <richardurba...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:u1SYnfx...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> > When you delete messages the space isn't necessarily freed up. By
>> > compacting the store occasionally, every 100 shutdowns by default, it
>> > keeps the store smaller than it otherwise would be. This is a good
>> > thing
>>

>> Actually, WinMail does not keep the message itself in the database. It
>> does
>> store all sorts of information about the message there, though, and that
>> space is not recovered until the database is compacted. Steve Cochran
>> has
>> written a nice little free program dealing with the database, WMUtil:
>> http://www.oehelp.com/WMUtil/Default.aspx

Compacting in WinMail only changes the database about messages, removing the
records about deleted messages. The actual messages are deleted when you
delete them. If neither you nor a misbehaving anti-virus program has
removed them they are still there in WinMail's store folder, although they
are hard to find because the file name for each piece of email is
meaningless to a human.

If you go to Tools | Options | Advanced | Maintenance | Store Folder WinMail
tells you where the messages are stored. From there instructions would
depend on exactly what you want to do.

I can't fit your last question into the context of the rest of your message?

--
Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM
www.fjsmjs.com
Do not send email

Tink

unread,

Nov 23, 2007, 5:30:02 PM11/23/07

to

You can change this by going to tools,options,advanced, maintenance,compact
database.
--
T

hawk

unread,

Nov 24, 2007, 10:40:00 AM11/24/07

to

About 2 weeks ago the
"pop up", came up came up when I closed windows mail. I clicked ok to
copact. Since the I still get the "pop up" everytime I close windows mail.
WHY ?
--
hawk

typer

unread,

Nov 24, 2007, 12:49:00 PM11/24/07

to

Hi Carol, the answers on this discussion page confuse me.. i have been
receiving the 'compact" msg as well.. i only have about 30 emails (sent and
rec'd) in my acct.. some of the answers listed refer to 7,000 messages before
this prompt shows up.. do the emails get erased or what???
grace

typer

unread,

Nov 24, 2007, 12:55:00 PM11/24/07

to

It seems to me that Frank and Richard are answering posts without answering
requests for assistance in PLAIN ENGLISH.. why the heck can't we just keep
our emails and not have to go thru 5 prompts in the systems in hopes of
locating compacted emails.. seems counter intuitive and not at all user
friendly.

Dave

unread,

Nov 24, 2007, 1:12:48 PM11/24/07

to

I don't know what you mean by "locating compacted emails".
WM/WLM offers to compact the message database every so many times you close
the program.
This does not delete any messages, it just eliminates the space in the
database where information for any deleted messages was located, and is no
longer needed.
You can change the time interval where it offers to do the compaction.
When it offers, let it do it.

--
http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview

"typer" <ty...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1B774A1D-EF00-41F7...@microsoft.com...

Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM

unread,

Nov 25, 2007, 9:42:27 AM11/25/07

to

"typer" <ty...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:2C862B4A-5FE3-41FC...@microsoft.com...

Compacting the database does not remove messages. It removes the space in
the database taken up by messages that have already been deleted.

Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM

unread,

Nov 25, 2007, 9:50:02 AM11/25/07

to

"typer" <ty...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:1B774A1D-EF00-41F7...@microsoft.com...

Messages are not stored in the database (WindowsMail.MSMessageStore)
Compacting removes the space in this database taken up by information about
messages that have been deleted already. If that isn't clear enough you are
going to have to ask your question more clearly.

Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM

unread,

Nov 26, 2007, 11:01:31 AM11/26/07

to

"hawk" <ha...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:80893EE0-4E20-4904...@microsoft.com...

Have you answered "Yes"?

prietapelon...@discussions.microsoft.com

unread,

Nov 28, 2007, 12:39:00 PM11/28/07

to

"Carol in GA" wrote:

> I've had Vista installed for almost a month now and this evening I keep
> getting a message when I close Windows Mail that says:
>
> "Windows Mail can compact the message store. This can take a few minutes."
> and asks "OK or Cancel"
>

> What is this? This is the same message I get, but I don't what it is. Can you be more descripted? How does it help me?

rober...@bellsouthnospam.net

unread,

Nov 28, 2007, 1:58:54 PM11/28/07

to

"priet...@clearwire.net"
<prietapelon...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8926B5D0-71C6-4EE1...@microsoft.com...

Windows Mail wants to pack part of its database to remove
the deleted messages. If you don't let it, it will just keep
asking. If you let it, it will wait until you have closed the
program a number of times, often 100 times, before it
asks the same question again.

Bridgette

unread,

Dec 17, 2007, 12:39:03 PM12/17/07

to

how do I erase the "compact the message store message"? I clean up my own
mail.Thx, Bridgette

"Richard Urban" wrote:

> When you delete messages the space isn't necessarily freed up. By compacting
> the store occasionally, every 100 shutdowns by default, it keeps the store

> smaller than it otherwise would be. This is a good thing BTW.
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban
> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>
> Quote from George Ankner:
> If you knew as much as you think you know,
> You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
>
>
>
> "Carol in GA" <Caro...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:42087CFE-CBA9-4715...@microsoft.com...

Dave

unread,

Dec 17, 2007, 1:05:01 PM12/17/07

to

The "compact message store" cleans up after you are done cleaning up...
It removes the space taken up by deleted messages in the database.
Let it run.

--
http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview

"Bridgette" <Brid...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:29B98580-95CA-41E9...@microsoft.com...

Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM

unread,

Dec 17, 2007, 8:13:02 PM12/17/07

to

"Bridgette" <Brid...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:29B98580-95CA-41E9...@microsoft.com...

> how do I erase the "compact the message store message"? I clean up my own
> mail.Thx, Bridgette

What steps do you take to remove unneeded message records from
WindowsMail.MSMessageStore and reduce its size to speed up WinMail?

--
Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM
www.fjsmjs.com

Do not reply with email

hhatkin

unread,

Jan 6, 2008, 7:18:00 PM1/6/08

to

"Gary VanderMolen" wrote:

> What does the windows say?
> You mean the one about compacting the message store? That one
> should not come up every time you read an email.
>
Yes, that one, and it doesn't appear for ME every time I read an e-mail,
but it does appear every time I close WMail and it IS annoying then!

hhatkin

unread,

Jan 6, 2008, 7:44:01 PM1/6/08

to

I haven't used this group before and find its structure confusing,
thus missing the fact that my question has been answered many times!
Sorry:-)

rober...@bellsouthnospam.net

unread,

Jan 6, 2008, 7:54:00 PM1/6/08

to

"hhatkin" <hha...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F28A40E6-D8F2-484A...@microsoft.com...

You need to compact it now and then to get rid of references to deleted
messages.

However, you may have Windows Mail set up to do it too often.
Click on Tools, then Options, then Advanced, then Maintenance.
You can adjust the number after Compact the database on
shutdown every; 100 is a good choice. Click on Close, then Apply,
then OK. Once you let it compact the database, it will remove the
message for that number of shutdowns.

hhatkin

unread,

Jan 6, 2008, 7:53:03 PM1/6/08

to

"Jim Parker" wrote:

> where do they go?
>
> I have not been able to locate e mails like I could with OUTLOOK
>
To find where they are stored you have to do in WMail: Tools, Options,
Advanced, Maintenance, Store Folder.
I'm pretty sure OE WAS a lot easier for finding them!

art

unread,

Jan 10, 2008, 1:03:00 PM1/10/08

to

--
knownothing

rober...@bellsouthnospam.net

unread,

Jan 10, 2008, 2:45:34 PM1/10/08

to

"art" <a...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:78C8371F-BEC8-4A97...@microsoft.com...

By default, every 100 times you close Windows Mail, it will offer to
compact the message store (mostly removing references to deleted
messages), and then every time until you let it do so.

If you let it compact the message store, the message will go away
until you close the program that number of times again.

lizzy@discussions.microsoft.com bizzy lizzy

unread,

Jan 14, 2008, 12:17:00 PM1/14/08

to

I also get this message but always thought if I empted the delete box the
mail were gone for good

rober...@bellsouthnospam.net

unread,

Jan 14, 2008, 2:13:23 PM1/14/08

to

The messages are gone, but some references to them in the message
store file are not. That message will keep appearing until you let it
compact the message store file, then go away for a number of times
you close the program - usually 100 times.

"bizzy lizzy" <bizzy li...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F9319DBA-5627-4CAA...@microsoft.com...

rober...@bellsouthnospam.net

unread,

Jan 28, 2008, 4:01:54 PM1/28/08

to

"jkordosky" <jkor...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:39B3DC1E-D7C9-433F...@microsoft.com...

>
>
> "Carol in GA" wrote:
>
>> I've had Vista installed for almost a month now and this evening I keep
>> getting a message when I close Windows Mail that says:
>>
>> "Windows Mail can compact the message store. This can take a few
>> minutes."
>> and asks "OK or Cancel"
>>
>> What is this?

Windows Mail is offering to compact the index file for email messages, to
remove
the references to deleted messages, and will keep doing so until you let it
do this.
The actual messages are stored in separate files. Once you let it do this,
this
message will disappear until you close Windows Mail a certain number of
times -
usually 100 times.

MitchOttawa

unread,

Mar 16, 2008, 10:14:00 PM3/16/08

to

I have been running Vista for 2 months and the message asking if I wanted to
compact just started appearing. It does so every time I log onto my windows
mail. After reading these threads, I still do not understand what the program
will do if I respond "yes". Someone else asked that question a few threads
ago and did not get an answer as well. What the heck is this?

Mitch

"Gary VanderMolen" wrote:

> What does the windows say?
> You mean the one about compacting the message store? That one
> should not come up every time you read an email.
>

> Gary VanderMolen [MS MVP-WLM]
>
>
> "slee" <sl...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:49DA3E88-8D8A-429C...@microsoft.com...
> > How do you stop the window that keeps popping up everytime you read an email?
> > This is very annoying.
>

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Mar 17, 2008, 2:25:55 AM3/17/08

to

By default the compaction process asks to run after you've opened
and closed Windows Mail 100 times. That frequency can be adjusted
under Tools, Options, Advanced, Maintenance. Once you let it do its
thing, it should not bother you again for another 100 runs.
What it does, it removes blank spaces that have developed in the
database. Every time you delete an email, that slot in the database
is made into a blank. Periodic removal of the blanks will make database
accesses faster.
--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)

"MitchOttawa" <Mitch...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B87CF060-DCA5-442A...@microsoft.com...

Clarissa

unread,

Mar 24, 2008, 8:26:01 PM3/24/08

to

Does Windows Mail compact everything, like inbox, outbox, sent, deleted,
drafts, etc. etc?

Also, when I had Win 98 SE I used to go in and delete the sent folder,
delete folder, and occasionally the outbox folder. I'd restart OE and the
files would recreate themselves, enabling me to have a cleaner and faster
database in OE.

Can I do this in Windows Mail? Will the folders recreate themselves when I
restart Win Mail?

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Mar 24, 2008, 9:01:57 PM3/24/08

to

Windows Mail (WM) uses a different storage method than OE.
In OE, all the messages were grouped together in .dbx files.
IN WM, each message occupies its own file, so no message
compaction needed. The 'compaction' mentioned in WM is
internal to the message database. Each time you delete a message,
it leaves in empty spot in the database (index). Compaction
removes the empty spaces, thereby speeding up database access.

I don't recommend deleting folders in WM.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)

"Clarissa" <Clar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:DB5AA6A0-3B67-4AE6...@microsoft.com...

Laura

unread,

Mar 24, 2008, 9:17:58 PM3/24/08

to

What is the purpose of the Clean up function in WM? I see an option to delete messages? Is that for news group message only?

"Gary VanderMolen" <ga...@NoMail.invalid> wrote in message news:%23GWzSPh...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Mar 24, 2008, 11:26:12 PM3/24/08

to

It is not clear to me whether the Clean Up Now function applies
only to newsgroup messages, or also to emails. I've never used it.
Perhaps someone who has used it can brief us.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)

"Laura" <inv...@sample.invalid> wrote in message news:upRbYYhj...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Laura

unread,

Mar 25, 2008, 7:48:38 AM3/25/08

to

Well, I played guinea pig on my own machine. I ran the "clean up". It
appears that it only works on newsgroup messages. It deleted the locally
cached *.nws files on my hard drive. I'm not sure about "compacting" as
there was not option to compact the database. There is a database file found
in c:\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\windows mail\backup\new. The timestamp
of the file is from last night so it did not get impacted by the cleanup
process. At least the process does free up space by deleting the locally
stored nws files.

"Gary VanderMolen" <ga...@NoMail.invalid> wrote in message

news:OyAz5fij...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Clarissa

unread,

Mar 25, 2008, 8:10:02 AM3/25/08

to

Gary, my reply to your post yesterday at 6:06pm -

It was great cleaning the OE database. It was easy and convenient, and I
loved having the control of making my email program work faster.

I noticed that OE kept an inaccurate kilobyte count. OE said my Inbox was
37MB. I only had about 29 messages in my inbox. I created a new folder in
OE and dumped the messages from the Inbox into the new folder I created.

Then I deleted inbox.dbx and it recreated itself just as I knew it would. I
then put the messages back into the newly created Inbox in my OE.

Last thing: I re-checked the inbox.dbx and it was then correct. It
registered about 2MB or something like that. In other words the database was
small again, and accurate.

Apparently OE kept inaccurate kilobyte/megabyte numbers. Shame on OE!!!

I just hope WM doesn't do this very same thing. It doesn't appear that I
have that much control with Vista, plus my machine is formatted with an NTFS.

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Mar 25, 2008, 1:37:36 PM3/25/08

to

Thanks for your feedback. It makes sense that Clean Up applies only
to news messages, but Microsoft should make that distinction clearer.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)

"Laura" <inv...@sample.invalid> wrote in message news:uGaZy4m...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Mar 25, 2008, 1:43:24 PM3/25/08

to

Not sure which post of mine you are replying to, because we are
(apparently) not in the same time zone.

I haven't done anything with OE for over 16 months now, so I tend
to forget how it compared to Windows Mail.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)

"Clarissa" <Clar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:15034516-CDD9-413D...@microsoft.com...

Gleeson@discussions.microsoft.com David Gleeson

unread,

Mar 26, 2008, 9:08:02 PM3/26/08

to

Thanks, Gary,
A clear, understandble answer.
I'm having same issue.
David

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Mar 27, 2008, 1:36:58 AM3/27/08

to

You're welcome, David.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)

"David Gleeson" <David Gle...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:28F4FE25-C770-423B...@microsoft.com...

in VA@discussions.microsoft.com Steph in VA

unread,

Apr 1, 2008, 1:41:03 PM4/1/08

to

I don't want to compact the message store. Does anyone know how to get rid
of that annoying message????

Dave

unread,

Apr 1, 2008, 2:04:08 PM4/1/08

to

Why don't you want to? It removes the dead space from the message store(
index). It does nothing to your email messages. It should speed up the
mail program.

--
Vista Home Premium 32 SP1
http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview

"Steph in VA" <Steph in V...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E5F46C79-4BF3-4F5A...@microsoft.com...

Laura

unread,

Apr 1, 2008, 2:29:52 PM4/1/08

to

Click on Tools>>options and go to the Advanced tab. Click on the Maintenance
button. Now uncheck the option to compact the database after x uses.

As Dave posted, you really should compact the database on a regular basis.
Change the number of uses to a higher number but let it compact when
prompted.

"Steph in VA" <Steph in V...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E5F46C79-4BF3-4F5A...@microsoft.com...

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Apr 1, 2008, 3:27:56 PM4/1/08

to

Can you state the reason for your statement?
Eventually your message store would become so fragmented
as to severely slow down Windows Mail.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)

"Steph in VA" <Steph in V...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:E5F46C79-4BF3-4F5A...@microsoft.com...

ediz

unread,

Apr 3, 2008, 4:53:00 PM4/3/08

to

I have the same situation but IS compacting actually nesseccary?

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Apr 3, 2008, 8:22:14 PM4/3/08

to

Yes, the message store needs to be compacted periodically.
By default, you will be prompted after 100 runs of Windows Mail, but
you can change that interval under Tools, Options, Advanced, Maintenance

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)

"ediz" <ed...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:D7A2D98A-2426-4D1F...@microsoft.com...

rober...@bellsouthnospam.net

unread,

Apr 3, 2008, 8:43:33 PM4/3/08

to

Depends on how much you want Windows Mail to slow down and
take extra disk space because its database hasn't been compacted.

"ediz" <ed...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D7A2D98A-2426-4D1F...@microsoft.com...

dlstarry

unread,

Apr 11, 2008, 7:15:02 PM4/11/08

to

I just clicked on OK to compact my WM message store & everything is still OK
Thank You for all the info.
--
Windows Vista Home Premium
Service Pack 1
Dell Inspiron 530
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E4500 @ 2.20 GHz 2.20 GHz
Memory 2.00 GB
32-bit Operating System

dlstarry

CaliforniaAutumn

unread,

Apr 19, 2008, 10:53:00 PM4/19/08

to

Hello Gary!
I read all the threads on this subject and I think some people are still
confused. I didn't know what it means to compact the messages, but after
reading all of the threads, I think I understand it. I am going to compact
after this message. A good analogy that might help us (people who really
don't "get" computers) understand what it means to "compact the message
store" is:

Imagine you have a bookshelf (message store) filled with books (emails) with
bookends on each side. You are going to have a garage sale and pull out some
books for sale (deleted emails). Now, there are empty spaces on your
bookshelf where the old books used to be (leftover email stuff taking up
space). You squish the books together and move the bookends so there are no
more empty spaces (compacting the message store). Now you have more space
for new books.

Just thought this analogy would help. Thank you for taking the time and
having the patience to explain these "computer things" to us!

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Apr 20, 2008, 12:05:14 AM4/20/08

to

Your analogy is not correct for Windows Mail. What you describe
is what happens with compaction in OE, where all messages in
a folder are bundled together in a .DBX file. In Windows Mail, each
message is in its own file, so no message compaction is needed.
What does need compacting in Windows Mail is the database that
acts like an index or lookup table for the messages. Each time a
message is deleted, it leaves a blank record in the index. Removing
the blank records speeds up database accesses.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)

"CaliforniaAutumn" <Californ...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4464E9AA-8F56-4DD6...@microsoft.com...

Dubby@discussions.microsoft.com Deanna Dubby

unread,

May 5, 2008, 5:06:04 PM5/5/08

to

"Richard Urban" wrote:

> When you delete messages the space isn't necessarily freed up. By compacting
> the store occasionally, every 100 shutdowns by default, it keeps the store
> smaller than it otherwise would be. This is a good thing BTW.
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban
> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>
> Quote from George Ankner:
> If you knew as much as you think you know,
> You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
>
>
>
> "Carol in GA" <Caro...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:42087CFE-CBA9-4715...@microsoft.com...

J@discussions.microsoft.com David J

unread,

Jul 4, 2008, 8:43:00 AM7/4/08

to

If I've deleted something why would I want to have it compacted? I want it
gone forever, not filling up my hard drive. Isn't there some way to
accomplish that?

Dave

unread,

Jul 4, 2008, 9:38:31 AM7/4/08

to

The message store is a file that keeps track of the messages, what folder
they're in, etc.
When you delete a message, the message store still contains data about it,
but not the message itself.
When you do the compaction, the data about the deleted messages is removed
from the message store, and the space is reclaimed.
It does nothing to the messages.

--
Vista Home Premium 32 SP1
http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview

"David J" <David J...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C7273C52-36FA-481A...@microsoft.com...

tabbykat1010

unread,

Aug 8, 2008, 12:13:00 PM8/8/08

to

This was the best description of those messages and what they do. I have
looked through so many of these messages and this was the best and easily
understandable. Thank you so much Gary!

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Aug 8, 2008, 1:33:54 PM8/8/08

to

You're very welcome.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)

"tabbykat1010" <tabbyk...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:9129E067-5508-43F1...@microsoft.com...

Dr. RHA

unread,

Aug 9, 2008, 8:38:00 PM8/9/08

to

Mr. VanderMolen: You are a valued asset to this "community". You certainly are
computer savvy, and your explanations in response to questions are concise
but clear and readily understandable. Your help with respect to the Windows
Mail compacting issue is especially appreciated. I'll wager that everyone who
read your threads concerning that matter will agree.

Thanks --- very much!
--
Dr. RHA

"Gary VanderMolen" wrote:

> Yes, it is a good thing. It should not create problems.
>
> Gary VanderMolen
>
> "Geri" <Ge...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:C05A979E-A005-4A48...@microsoft.com...
> > Hi
> > So in plain english is it a good thing to say yes to compact messages or
> > not? Will I lose my messages if I compact them or is it just compacting old
> > ones. I am not great with computers and I don't like saying yes to things I
> > don't know what they are. So just a simple answer if you please should we do
> > this and will it create problems with my computer if I do? It sounds like
> > other people have had problems after they have done this. Thank you in
> > advance for your help.
> >
> > "Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM" wrote:
> >
> >> "Richard Urban" <richardurba...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:u1SYnfx...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> >> > When you delete messages the space isn't necessarily freed up. By
> >> > compacting the store occasionally, every 100 shutdowns by default, it
> >> > keeps the store smaller than it otherwise would be. This is a good thing
> >> > BTW.
> >>
> >>

> >> Actually, WinMail does not keep the message itself in the database. It does
> >> store all sorts of information about the message there, though, and that
> >> space is not recovered until the database is compacted. Steve Cochran has
> >> written a nice little free program dealing with the database, WMUtil:
> >> http://www.oehelp.com/WMUtil/Default.aspx
> >>
> >> --
> >> Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
> >> http://www.fjsmjs.com
> >> Answer in newsgroup. Don't expect an answer to email.
> >>
> >>
>

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Aug 9, 2008, 9:02:11 PM8/9/08

to

Thank you for those kudos.
My motto is that verbosity often clouds the issue. :-)

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)

"Dr. RHA" <Dr...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:71072127-F782-442E...@microsoft.com...

Susanna

unread,

Aug 24, 2008, 2:46:00 AM8/24/08

to

The last time I clicked OK to this message, I later found several important
emails went missing. I checked in all the folders but couldn't find it. I
seek Help to try to locate the emails but to no avail.

I will not click OK from now on and will removed this constant message
permanently from my screen.

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Aug 24, 2008, 11:58:38 AM8/24/08

to

That's equivalent to never taking the garbage out. Eventually you run
out of room in your house because every spot is filled with garbage.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)

"Susanna" <Sus...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:79429E5C-1F28-4A76...@microsoft.com...

Thomas in Texas

unread,

Sep 28, 2008, 1:47:00 AM9/28/08

to

"Geri" wrote:

> >After compacting, windows puts edb logs on my desktop. Can I delete these or do I need to save them?

Angie

unread,

Oct 7, 2008, 2:03:01 AM10/7/08

to

Finally! A message I can understand! Thanks, Gary! I have just been changing
the number of shut downs to make it stop asking me for longer of periods of
time. After this, I let it do it's thing and went back and changed it back to
100. Thanks again!

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Oct 7, 2008, 2:25:34 AM10/7/08

to

You're very welcome, Angie. Thanks for your feedback.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)

"Angie" <An...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:76B60AB9-0C2D-4B8A...@microsoft.com...

Don_M

unread,

Oct 21, 2008, 10:01:01 AM10/21/08

to

My thanks, too Gary. Now I don't have to be annoyed anymore by that pop up
message. Knowledge IS power!

Gary VanderMolen

unread,

Oct 21, 2008, 3:01:07 PM10/21/08

to

You're very welcome, Don.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)

"Don_M" <Do...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:0952CDA6-502A-4CB4...@microsoft.com...