Outlook 2010 Quirk

neil_g

neil_g

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Thought I'd mention this, not sure how many people on here are using Outlook 2010..

We've noticed a little "quirk" in 2010, not sure if this is true for 2007 also so might be worth checking.. basically the OST file (outlook data file) does not shrink/compact unless the machine has Outlook open and there are NO other tasks using the CPU, which these days is pretty much never.

In my case my OST was 13GB and my actual mailbox size was 450MB and one of my colleagues had a 21GB file for a 700MB mailbox... :cuckoo:

path to the file:

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

you can force a compact through the Mail option in Control Panel, however Outlook cannot be used while processing.

handy to know if you have a laptop with a smaller hard drive..
 
Do you have access to any shared mailboxes at all ? (I am assuming you used cached mode ?)

By default, OL2010 will cache any shared mailboxes you have, often leading to massive .OST's.

The setting can be turned off in the registry - I can pass on the kb article if you're interested ?
 
The fact that Outlook uses a single OST file for everything is the reason I avoid it like the plague. I use Thunderbird for both home and work related mail.
 
GaryS70 said:
Do you have access to any shared mailboxes at all ? (I am assuming you used cached mode ?)

By default, OL2010 will cache any shared mailboxes you have, often leading to massive .OST's.

The setting can be turned off in the registry - I can pass on the kb article if you're interested ?
Click to expand...

yeah the penny just dropped on that one.. :bang:

just deleted and recreated my mail profile, took 5 mins and sorted..
 
arad85 said:
The fact that Outlook uses a single OST file for everything is the reason I avoid it like the plague. I use Thunderbird for both home and work related mail.
Click to expand...

You're using Thunderbird with an Exchange server and have one at home as well?
 
DemiLion said:
You're using Thunderbird with an Exchange server and have one at home as well?
Click to expand...
No I'm on IMAP4 server in work (opted out of the exchange server route) and POP at home (google mail)...
 
DemiLion said:
In which case you wouldn't be using OST files.
Click to expand...
Aha.. I mean .PST files (well it was several years ago I opted out...). Everything held in one file seems to be a real bad idea and a pain to backup.
 
arad85 said:
Aha.. I mean .PST files (well it was several years ago I opted out...). Everything held in one file seems to be a real bad idea and a pain to backup.
Click to expand...

It's a pain to back up one file? It's about the perfect option in back up terms.
 
DemiLion said:
It's a pain to back up one file? It's about the perfect option in back up terms.
Click to expand...
Yes - my e-mail client is always open so I wouldn't trust a backup taken of an open file (especially one that's a single M$ open file and that holds such important data).
 
I don't mind it personally. I still use Office 2003 which seems to have been about the best there is so far. So many improvements and fixes over Office XP and not quite the bloated horrible playskool style mess that 2007 was.
 
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