On Thu, 6 May 2010 07:38:18 -0400, "Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]"
wrote:

"Gordon" wrote in message
...

The problem is, it ISN'T a tree structure. It's a database with labels
(AFAIK)...that's why ALL Outlook data is included in ONE file. The "folder"
names are just pointers or labels...they don't physically exist like folders
in Windows explorer.

Two points about this: 1) even if they are just "labels", as you call them,
they should still be searchable. If you can display them in the Nav Pane, you
should be able to display them in a search window. 2) File names and folder
names on disk are also just "labels". Files are laid out physically anywhere
on a disk. Nothing in a "folder" is colocated, except by chance or planning.
Structures in the metadata on the disk make the files appear to be in folders,
but they're just pointers to logical locations and then those logical
locations map to the physical locations, which can be anywhere. Windows file
system structures and Outlook folder structures are equally "real" or "fake",
depending on your point of view.

Exactly. Well said.