How to Get Rid of the Outlook Express Can Compact Message

Computer pop-up messages can be time consuming and distracting.

The Microsoft Windows XP operating system may suddenly start displaying a message prompting the user to compact Outlook Express email messages, even if Outlook Express is not in use. Updating Windows XP to run the Windows Search service can cause this issue when Outlook Express is included in the search service index configuration. Change the Windows Search service configuration in the Control Panel to stop Windows from prompting you to compact Outlook Express.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button on the Windows XP taskbar and click "Control Panel." Double-click "System and Maintenance" in the "Control Panel" window that appears and click "Indexing Options."

2. Click the "Show All Locations" button. Click once on the "Outlook Express" index location from the list displayed and click the "Modify" button.

3. Click to clear the check box next to the "Outlook Express" index location and click the "OK" button. Click the "Close" button in the "Indexing Options" window.

References

• MSOutlook.info: Set Windows Desktop Search to Only Index Outlook
• MSOutlook.info: Compact Outlook Express Prompts