Archive mail folders doesn't work

[Ed]

I'm using Office 2007 with Vista Sp1. I'm the sole user of the computer. My
Outlook.pst file loads slowly and frequently freezes. It is 583 mb, with a
hundred mail folders and thousands of emails going back ten tears. Is it true
that if I archive most older mails it will load faster?

Assuming yes, I've been unable to archive. For example
-- I right-click on the folder named "Legal", select Properties, select
AutoArchive tab.
-- I uncheck the button "Do not archive items in this folder".
-- I check the button "Archive this folder using these settings"
-- I set "Clean out items older than 60 months" and "Move all items to
default archive folder"
-- I do not select "Permanently delete old items"
-- No retention policies are set by adminstrator, which is me
-- Click Apply, OK

The flickering legend at the bottom of the screen indicates it is archiving
for a few seconds. In the left side mail panel the Archive Folder appears,
and a sub-folder "Legal" is created. But the folder is empty, as are all
other folders under the Archive folder. Nothing has been removed from the
original Legal folder.

Alternatively, I have tried selecting "Move old items to the default archive
folder" which is Archive.pst in the same path as Outlook.pst. Same result.

As another approach I went to Tools, Options, Other, AutoArchive and tried
the settings there, to take effect in one day, but that didn't work either.

How can I archive old mails, either those in selected folders or in all
folders?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Archiving works on the modified date for items.

Try this, display your folder with the Modified column added from Field
Chooser, Then sort using this column. Do you have items in that folder
that meet your archive rules?

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact.
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375


After furious head scratching, Ed asked:

| I'm using Office 2007 with Vista Sp1. I'm the sole user of the
| computer. My Outlook.pst file loads slowly and frequently freezes. It
| is 583 mb, with a hundred mail folders and thousands of emails going
| back ten tears. Is it true that if I archive most older mails it will
| load faster?
|
| Assuming yes, I've been unable to archive. For example
| -- I right-click on the folder named "Legal", select Properties,
| select AutoArchive tab.
| -- I uncheck the button "Do not archive items in this folder".
| -- I check the button "Archive this folder using these settings"
| -- I set "Clean out items older than 60 months" and "Move all items to
| default archive folder"
| -- I do not select "Permanently delete old items"
| -- No retention policies are set by adminstrator, which is me
| -- Click Apply, OK
|
| The flickering legend at the bottom of the screen indicates it is
| archiving for a few seconds. In the left side mail panel the Archive
| Folder appears, and a sub-folder "Legal" is created. But the folder
| is empty, as are all other folders under the Archive folder. Nothing
| has been removed from the original Legal folder.
|
| Alternatively, I have tried selecting "Move old items to the default
| archive folder" which is Archive.pst in the same path as Outlook.pst.
| Same result.
|
| As another approach I went to Tools, Options, Other, AutoArchive and
| tried the settings there, to take effect in one day, but that didn't
| work either.
|
| How can I archive old mails, either those in selected folders or in
| all folders?
|
| Thanks,
| Ed

 

[Ed]

Hey Milly (that's my mom's name, Milly Miller, nee Amelia),

The modified date of all emails (except those of the past 16 months) is June
17, 2007, which is the date I transferred the Outook file to my new computer.
All other dates like date sent and date received are the actual dates
regardless of how long ago.
Is there a workaround so that I can archive only files actually sent or
received before 2004?

Thanks,
Ed Miller

 

[Gordon]

Hey Milly (that's my mom's name, Milly Miller, nee Amelia),

The modified date of all emails (except those of the past 16 months) is
June
17, 2007, which is the date I transferred the Outook file to my new
computer.

Presumably you did an Import? That's what happens when you import - the
modified date gets changed to the date of import. Next time just open the
pst file and drag and drop.