Compact Folders (Outlook XP)

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Is there a way to run a compact in a command line function?

I’ve got about 8 outlook data files showing in my folder list, and its a real pain to open each one, and compact. As I run a back-up each night unattended, it would be great if I could compact each pst file as part of the back-up process.

Anyone got any ideas?

Colin
colinmac@blueyonder.co.uk

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This doesn’t answer your question, but that sounds like a heck of a lot of work for potentially very little gain when done so frequently. How much difference does it make on a typical day?

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Yes you’re right in one respect. It probably takes 2 minutes per day (if I remember to do it).

But. That’s what computers are for and what they are good at.

I have approx 24 scheduled tasks running each nite, to defrag, clean, empty recycle bin, virus check, back-up etc. All with the intention that I have as clean (and fast) a system as possible when I start work each day. And that I have a reliable small and accurate back-up in case of problems.

Compacting the pst files is just another aspect of that process, and it would help keep the system clean and tidy and therefore less liable to slow-down, and save back-up space, which since it is done daily is fairly important.

So no it is not required, but yes it would be “nice to have”.

Colin

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I was always under the impression Outlook “self-compressed” when idle.
If you leave it running overnight, can you see any evidence of compression if you run it manually first thing?

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I’m not aware of that. I don’t believe any compacting is done.

This sentence is from the MS Outlook help file.

“A data file is a Personal Folders file (.pst). If you delete items from a data file, the size of the file will not change unless you compact the file. Compacting the file might take several minutes.”

Colin

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I may be biased, but I trust MJ’s knowledge more that MS’s

See this thread

Edited to add:

Actually, I take that back. MS do seem to know as much as MJ:

Q289987 : OL2002: How to Compact Outlook PST and OST Files

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Yes I did spot that !!!!

Anyway, that was a perfect thread to look at.

It apparently is true that compaction takes place when the pc is idle, but only when Outlook is running. This is not perfect for my automated tasks, but I can work around it.

Thanks

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I’m not aware of that. I don’t believe any compacting is done when idle.

This sentence is from the MS Outlook help file.

“A data file is a Personal Folders file (.pst). If you delete items from a data file, the size of the file will not change unless you compact the file. Compacting the file might take several minutes.”

Colin

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