Permanently removing messages from the computer

[Michael Ryznar]

Hello,

I would like to permanently delete all my messages to save space on my
computer. I have already backed up my message folder and I am ready to
start again with a clean slate.

The trouble is, that my Outlook Express doesn't seem to appear to
permanently delete my messages from the computer's hardrive.

The actual message folder is found at:
Macintosh HD > Documents > Microsoft User Data > Identities > Main
Identity > Messages

Yesterday before I deleted all my messages, this file was about 550
Megabytes in size (a year's worth of messages). Today, after I deleted
all my messages, it is still about 550 Megabytes in size. Certainly,
after deleting all my messages, this "Message" file should have
reduced in file size considerably. But it didn't. Could it be corrupt?

I have rebooted several times hoping that the Main Identity folder
needs to refresh itself but that didn't work - the Main Identity
folder refuses to become smaller even after I delete all my messages.

I have even cleared out the deleted messages folder the proper way by
going to: Tools > Run Schedule > Empty Deleted Items Folder but the
Main Identity folder will not shrink in size.

And so how are you to permenently delete all your messages to save
space on your computer?

Could my Main Identity Folder (or the messages file within the Main
Identity Folder) be corrupt?

Will I have to delete my Main Identity Folder manually by dragging it
to the trash or should I reinstall Outlook?

I am running Outlook Express Mac Edition 5.0.3 on a Mac with OS 9.2.2.
Many of my messages over the last year have contained attachments -
but I am not sure if this is relevant.

Thank you for any opinions or suggestions.

Mike

 

[Michael Ryznar]

Hello,

I would like to permanently delete all my messages to save space on my
computer. I have already backed up my message folder and I am ready to
start again with a clean slate.

The trouble is, that my Outlook Express doesn't seem to appear to
permanently delete my messages from the computer's hardrive.

The actual message folder is found at:
Macintosh HD > Documents > Microsoft User Data > Identities > Main
Identity > Messages

Yesterday before I deleted all my messages, this file was about 550
Megabytes in size (a year's worth of messages). Today, after I deleted
all my messages, it is still about 550 Megabytes in size. Certainly,
after deleting all my messages, this "Message" file should have
reduced in file size considerably. But it didn't. Could it be corrupt?

I have rebooted several times hoping that the Main Identity folder
needs to refresh itself but that didn't work - the Main Identity
folder refuses to become smaller even after I delete all my messages.

I have even cleared out the deleted messages folder the proper way by
going to: Tools > Run Schedule > Empty Deleted Items Folder but the
Main Identity folder will not shrink in size.

And so how are you to permenently delete all your messages to save
space on your computer?

Could my Main Identity Folder (or the messages file within the Main
Identity Folder) be corrupt?

Will I have to delete my Main Identity Folder manually by dragging it
to the trash or should I reinstall Outlook?

I am running Outlook Express Mac Edition 5.0.3 on a Mac with OS 9.2.2.
Many of my messages over the last year have contained attachments -
but I am not sure if this is relevant.

Thank you for any opinions or suggestions.

Mike

I found the answer:

(Clipped from an Apple Computer discussion list):

"Hold down the Option key when starting up OE - you'll be given an
opportunity to either "compact" or do a "complex rebuild" of OE's databases.
This not only gets rid of the space once occupied by now-deleted messages,
it also generates new database files - which are now minus all record of the
deleted messages."

-Quote from Don Archibald.

Thanks Don for this!

Mike