"Windows Mail can compact the message store"

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 VA.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E5F46C79-4BF3-4F5A-8553-CE1AB64AA1E6@microsoft.com...
> I don't want to compact the message store. Does anyone know how to get
> rid
> of that annoying message????
>
> "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?
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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 VA DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E5F46C79-4BF3-4F5A-8553-CE1AB64AA1E6@microsoft.com...
>I don't want to compact the message store. Does anyone know how to get
>rid
> of that annoying message????
>
> "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?
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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" <ediz DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:D7A2D98A-2426-4D1F-BE35-C8FE57654A08@microsoft.com...
>I have the same situation but IS compacting actually nesseccary?
>
> "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?
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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

"ediz" <ediz.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D7A2D98A-2426-4D1F-BE35-C8FE57654A08@microsoft.com...
>I have the same situation but IS compacting actually nesseccary?
>
> "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?
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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


"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?
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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" <CaliforniaAutumn.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4464E9AA-8F56-4DD6-AD20-7E17F335F42D@microsoft.com...
> 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" wrote:
>
>> 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" <ediz.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:D7A2D98A-2426-4D1F-BE35-C8FE57654A08@microsoft.com...
>> >I have the same situation but IS compacting actually nesseccary?
>> >
>> > "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?
>>
>>
>>
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

"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" <CarolinGA.RemoveThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:42087CFE-CBA9-4715-9C3C-94F8E469BA00@microsoft.com...
> > 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?
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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?

"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" <slee.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:49DA3E88-8D8A-429C-A26D-7A24DFB3DD72@microsoft.com...
> > How do you stop the window that keeps popping up everytime you read an email?
> > This is very annoying.
>
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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 RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C7273C52-36FA-481A-8511-52A7E8BDCF5C@microsoft.com...
> 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?
>
> "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" <slee RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:49DA3E88-8D8A-429C-A26D-7A24DFB3DD72@microsoft.com...
>> > How do you stop the window that keeps popping up everytime you read an
>> > email?
>> > This is very annoying.
>>
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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" wrote:

> 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" <MitchOttawa DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B87CF060-DCA5-442A-800F-2B1A0612EFB6@microsoft.com...
> >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" <slee DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:49DA3E88-8D8A-429C-A26D-7A24DFB3DD72@microsoft.com...
> >> > How do you stop the window that keeps popping up everytime you read an email?
> >> > This is very annoying.
> >>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

You're very welcome.

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)


"tabbykat1010" <tabbykat1010 DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:9129E067-5508-43F1-8A43-982E56C81ED5@microsoft.com...
> 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" wrote:
>
>> 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" <MitchOttawa DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B87CF060-DCA5-442A-800F-2B1A0612EFB6@microsoft.com...
>> >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" <slee DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:49DA3E88-8D8A-429C-A26D-7A24DFB3DD72@microsoft.com...
>> >> > How do you stop the window that keeps popping up everytime you read an email?
>> >> > This is very annoying.
>> >>
>>
>>
>>
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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" <Geri DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:C05A979E-A005-4A48-9183-2B67C3E7ACF9@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" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:u1SYnfxUHHA.996@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.
> >>
> >>
>
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store" 

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

--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (Mail)


"Dr. RHA" <DrRHA.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:71072127-F782-442E-A3D1-35BE2F0D0102@microsoft.com...
> 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" <Geri.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:C05A979E-A005-4A48-9183-2B67C3E7ACF9@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" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:u1SYnfxUHHA.996@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.
>> >>
>> >>
>>
 >> Stay informed about: "Windows Mail can compact the message store"