I need to create a new profile in Outlook; what to do about the Archive Folders?

Theres something wrong with my current profile, so Id like to just get rid of it and start over (am using Exchange).
However, if I try to start over, I think I lose all the info in the Archive Folders. Actually, I dont think I "lose" the archive data, it just wont show up in the new profile.

being that I have alot of data in the Archive folders that I refer back to often, what to do when starting with a new profile?

 

After you create the new profile...

go under Account settings and add the old archives.pst file in as Archive Folder.

You may also want to export your feeds if you use the RSS feeder. That does not follow from profile to profile.

 

Thanks Surf; had no idea there was an "Archives PST"-shows how much I know...

As for creating a new profile: is it best to just remove the pst and ost folders from where they are right now, reopen Outlook and just let it recreate them on its own (and then import the Archive folder later)? Or, is there a better way?

BTW-ive noticed that the auto-archive feature is also archiving my "Notes" and "to-Dos". Is there any way to have auto-archive just archive my email folders and not everything else?

 

Just delete and recreate. Your archive should still be in the same place as before.

If you're using exchange, PST files aren't created locally, those should be done manually.

Up to you about using the auto-archive feature, we discourage this at work since people there always wonder where stuff goes after. We try to tell them that it's in the archive they set up but they always insist they didn't move it We know that! lol.

 

You don't need to delete and recreate. Go to control panel and open up the Mail Applet. Create a new profile.

There and done. You can keep the old profile as a backup and have Outlook startup using the new profile from there.

 

I dont like using it either but my exchange connection has gotten so slow that its unbearable to use. truth is, my current profile may just be corrput b/c I dont think im really using that much space (500,000kb's for the archive and 1.3mm kb for the OST).
Are those considered large?

 

No, and your archive should be local on your PC so it shouldn't slow down Outlook too much. How much storage are you alloted on your Exchange server?

 

Honestly, I have no idea but I have done everything imaginable to speed it up but its is constantly freezing up on me.
I am going to move the files now, let Outlook create a new OST and see what happens. If that doesnt work, i think im just gonna reinstall 7 and Outlook (and 64 bit this time).
The existing OST file that I have now...I should just cut and paste it into a separte folder and Outlook will automatically create a new one when its reopened?

Thanks for the help.

 

Look at my previous post. You don't need to move the files. Just create a new profile.

Plus realize, that having outlook cache a lot of offline item + archived items will slow it down.

 

I feel like creating a new profile is actually more time consuming...its asking me for all these exchange settings that I just dont know and, I have to move the NK2 file...I think its just easier to let Outlook create all that by itself.

So having an archive folder will slow things down? I thought that was suppossed to spead it up by making the OST file smaller/easier to read.

 

it still loads up the archive file.

Your exchange server sux if it asks you all those settings. Get me to run the beast. All it will ask in for your login info.

 

Try compressing the data files? That cleans them up

 

Ive compressed the PST; how do I do the .OST?

 

Under Tools/Account settings/Change

 

Thanks.

Side question: with regard to the PST and OST files, what constitutes too large?

 

Depends on the format you have chosen. If you have the old file format (pre-Outlook 2003), your max is 1.83GB, with the newer Unicode format (default for 2003 and above) you can go to at least 20GB, but a maximum of 33TB is possible. In other words, if you use the new format, then don't worry about the size.

 

Thanks.

Then is what in G-Ds name is slowing down my Outlook???
In my tray, right above the Oultook icon, its constantly saying "trying to connect to the server". This happens intermittently but enought to cause me serious lags. Virtually anything I do gets me a "not responding" along with afreeze and, I have to wait between 5-10 seconds before I am ok to keep on working.
I have compressed all the necessary files (im under 1gb on each), Ive removed all 3rd party add-ons, ive removed my anti-virus from covering Outlook, checked my internet connections and, I am using a brand new/super fast laptop.

Any ideas?

My exchange provider is convinced it has nothing to with them (of course )

 

It probably has to do with your connection to the server idling.

I know I get the same pause on my laptop, but not on my desktop.

 

What does that mean?

How do you resolve the "idling"?

 

not sure how to resolve it. At least not yet. I'll find out in the next few days when I have lunch with my Exchange/outlook ninja expert