Outllok Express

[BJS]

When Outlook Express says it will clean up and create disc space WHAT actually happens. I don't seem to lose any saved e-mails but the recycle bin seems to have a lot of my mail folders in it.
Thanks for any replies.

[ChuckFickens]

When you delete a message from outlook it firstly goes into the deleted items folder, if you then empty the deleted items folder it (obviously) disappears from that folder.

However, at this point the message has not been deleted, it's just been marked as deleted and hidden from your view but it's still there taking up disk space, when you clean up then all those deleted items that are just hidden from view are actually deleted properly, freeing up the disk space they were using.

[BJS]

Thanks for that ChuckFickens, even this wrinklie can understand that.So the next question is -If the deleted mail is just hidden, is there a way i.e. case of deleting a mail by error, of restoring these mails so as they can be read again.

[ChuckFickens]

There are ways of getting back deleted mails prior to the clean up taking place, but I can't think of an easy way to do it for free.

There are paid for bits of software that will do it, or it's possible to purposely damage the mail database and then run an error fix procedure on it and the mails will reappear.

The first option can cost a fair bit, the second option is not something I'd ever suggest most users try as there is a large risk of getting it wrong and losing all mails.