I have cleaned up and deleted old messages in my OE identity. For example my
OE folder called deleted says there are no messages but when I check the
..dbx file with windows explorer in local settings\application
data\identities and find my OE dbx files deleted items.dbx is still 48 mb. I
have also virtually emptied my sent folder but sent items.dbx is 49 mb. I
have done clean up and compact processes in tools options maintenance

How can I reduce the size of these monster file that are empty?

--
Norm

You have to compact the folders.

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupted. Create your own user defined folders for storing mail and move
your mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly. Keep user created
folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as is feasible.

After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while
working *offline* and do it often.

Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no
folders are open. Then: FileWork Offline (or double click Working Online in
the Status Bar). FileFolderCompact all folders. Don't touch anything until
the compacting is completed.

In ToolsOptionsMaintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Norm" wrote in message
...
I have cleaned up and deleted old messages in my OE identity. For example
my OE folder called deleted says there are no messages but when I check the
.dbx file with windows explorer in local settings\application
data\identities and find my OE dbx files deleted items.dbx is still 48 mb.
I have also virtually emptied my sent folder but sent items.dbx is 49 mb.
I have done clean up and compact processes in tools options maintenance

How can I reduce the size of these monster file that are empty?

--
Norm