Outlook we compressed our files and now can't access e-mails HELP

[bnbhoha]

My sister compressed her files when the pop up came in XP which asked her to. She clicked yes and now she can't access most of her e-mail and more importantly her drafts in outlook. I told her to do system restore and that had no affect. My last option is to ask for anyone's expert advise here. The draft in the e-mail are important to her. Any adivce? Thanks

[TJohns]

Ummm...uncompress them again.

Try right-click on the folder in question (maybe MY DOCUMENTS...hard to tell from the little info given), click PROPERTIES, click ADVANCED, turn off the COMPRESSED setting, OK to complete

When you say "most of her email", Windows compression is usually an all-or-nothing style activity (within a folder, anyway). It'd be very strange for some emails to be affected but not others???

Trevor

[Bjs]

I think you may be lucky ... hopefully

In windows explorer > tools > folder options > view tab
Hidden files and folders > check > show hidden files and folders
Uncheck both options just under this ... one for hide extensions and the one below for protected.
Check apply, click ok in warning box, click ok.

You now head to

C:\Documents and Settings\"users name is here"\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{5F44B-CA47-4429-8292-537102F09}\Microsoft\Outlook Express folder

Hopefully it compressed and created BAK files.

If it has done so close the email client and proceed with copying all files from this folder to a safe location (backup)

Now in the outlook express folder delete those files having duplicates in BAK only

Ie if delete.dbx has a copy called delete.bak you may delete the delete.dbx, followed by renaming the delete.bak to delete.dbx

Hopefully you understand this.

Once done you should be able to reopen the email client and recover data.

Once completed close email client ... copy the file from the backup back to the outlook express folder ... yes to replace files and then close windows explorer ... reopening email client should return to the point after the compression took place.

-----

If no BAK files exist ... they may be recovered using a number of recovery programs ... but this should be done with caution ... backup the outlook express folder to some where safe before recovery takes place.

Followed by the directions already advised above to restore them.

[Nelson37]

OUTLOOK or OUTLOOK EXPRESS? Big Difference.

Did this "pop-up window" contain the word ARCHIVE? Very important.

Both progs maintain files in self-contained database files. Outlook in single ".PST" files. The Archive function in Outlook will create a seperate PST file containing older entries.

Describing what you have done and are attempting to achieve much, much more clearly will result in far more accurate estimates of how to resolve your problem.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

yeah, and when you say you compressed your files do you mean you right clicked a folder in Outlook and chose the compress option, or do you mean in Windows Explorer you right-clicked a drive and chose Disk Cleanup?

[corrinemurphy39]

Hi there,
It would have been great if you had specified which Outlook you were talking about, Outlook or Outlook Express. I am a regular Outlook user and have been using Outlook 2007 for quite some time. I had once been in a similar situation when I had selected the compress option accidentally. However I found some good Outlook recovery software that could repair Outlook 2007 pst file and I luckily ended up getting back all my emails. You could try one of the many Recovery software that are available for download on the internet.