This is due to a recent OE update, (KB923694). Now when you compact, a copy
of your dbx files are sent to the Recycle Bin in the event that something
should go wrong and messages, or entire folders, are lost when you are
compacting.

Many people do not back up Outlook Express on a regular basis. This new
mandatory backup is something people have been asking for quite awhile as we
spend a lot of time helping people getting their messages back, and they
have to purchase a tool to recover messages.

You can empty the Recycle Bin any time you want and the bak files will go
away until you compact again.

For more info, see the information outlined in red he
www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#2

If you don't currently back up OE regularly, I would suggest you get this,
or a similar tool, (freeware):

This freeware tool backs up everything in OE in seconds. Disregard what is
written in red. That is referring to a different program.

Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):
http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Eddie Urbanski" wrote in message
...
Just recently my Outlook Express 6 has started Copying folders (I know not
to
where) whilst compacting. I used to compact a few times every day; took a
few
seconds each time. Now it takes about 2 minutes or longer every time. I
find
this very frustrating and wonder if some guru out there can help me. am
not
an idiot; but I am by no means computer literate!