Make sure you haven't got any email messages open when you attempt to start the compacting that would certainly be the most logical reason for the error you recieved. Regards. Tristram Llewellyn tristram.llewellyn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Technical Support Sight and Sound Technology ________________________________ From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Peter Beasley Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:29 AM To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Outlook express queery Recently when I get the message that in order to free up space outlook express can compact all messages and I say ok, after a few seconds I hear the windows error sound and get a message telling me that the file is in use by outlook express or another application. Has anyone any ideas as to what might be happening? Get your FREE SECURE email account from www.topmail.co.uk ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email ______________________________________________________________________