Outlook Express Identities

Rainy · External Since: Apr 16, 2009 Posts: 17

Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her to go
to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities... 5
different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and to
delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would start
working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this normal? Rainy

C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
Express
3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number

there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all with
dbx folders inside.. some different than others..

I am hoping you can help me.. thanks..

Jose · External Since: Jan 27, 2009 Posts: 150

On Nov 6, 6:55 pm, "Rainy" <love_swe....RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her to go
> to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities... 5
> different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and to
> delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would start
> working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this normal? Rainy
>
> C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
> Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
> Express
> 3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number
>
> there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all with
> dbx folders inside.. some different than others..
>
> I am hoping you can help me.. thanks..

Could be normal depending on who has been using OE and what they have
been doing.

OE supports multiple OE identities for a single XP login on purpose.
My OE just has one identity.

Here is an article that 'splains how identities work in OE.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/209169

If the user really only needs one OE identity, it would help to
determine what it is from the OE identity changing function, look at
the other identities by switching to them, see if they make sense or
not and delete things that don't make sense if they are confusing. If
the user has no idea what an identity is, they will never see them -
maybe they have a reason.

What is the problem that compels you to delete these files?

Bruce Hagen · External Since: Apr 17, 2004 Posts: 7779

"Rainy" <love_sweetz RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
news:uxzl0yzXKHA.4020@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her to
> go to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities... 5
> different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and to
> delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would start
> working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this normal?
> Rainy
>
> C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
> Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
> Express
> 3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number
>
> there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all with
> dbx folders inside.. some different than others..
>
> I am hoping you can help me.. thanks..

Start here.

When OE crashes or won't start:
http://www.insideoe.com/problems/errors.htm#crash
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA

PA Bear [MS MVP] · External Since: Jan 08, 2009 Posts: 294

[crosspost to OE General]

cf. http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain

OE Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of
the current identity's store.

Tip: Avoid deleting FOLDERS.DBX unless absolutely necessary!

<canned>
1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and Deleted
Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for archiving
(saving) such messages.

1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
folders, too.

2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
(http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).

2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
Folder Options | View (cf.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html).

3. Close OE.

4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete the
files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.

To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following caveats:

- Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
folders created for this purpose.

- Empty Deleted Items folder daily.

- Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working
offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm

- Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt to
close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic Compacting
is taking place.

- Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional protection:

Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com

Rainy wrote:
> Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her to
> go
> to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities... 5
> different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and to
> delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would start
> working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this normal?
> Rainy
>
> C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
> Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
> Express
> 3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number
>
> there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all with
> dbx folders inside.. some different than others..
>
> I am hoping you can help me.. thanks..

Rainy · External Since: Apr 16, 2009 Posts: 17

OE crashed! thanks. Rainy
"Jose" <jose_ease.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:677cf0dd-d775-4ec6-9ba4-26d572e8b376@l2g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
On Nov 6, 6:55 pm, "Rainy" <love_swe....RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her to
> go
> to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities... 5
> different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and to
> delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would start
> working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this normal? Rainy
>
> C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
> Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
> Express
> 3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number
>
> there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all with
> dbx folders inside.. some different than others..
>
> I am hoping you can help me.. thanks..

Could be normal depending on who has been using OE and what they have
been doing.

OE supports multiple OE identities for a single XP login on purpose.
My OE just has one identity.

Here is an article that 'splains how identities work in OE.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/209169

If the user really only needs one OE identity, it would help to
determine what it is from the OE identity changing function, look at
the other identities by switching to them, see if they make sense or
not and delete things that don't make sense if they are confusing. If
the user has no idea what an identity is, they will never see them -
maybe they have a reason.

What is the problem that compels you to delete these files?

Rainy · External Since: Apr 16, 2009 Posts: 17

> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:Oz67uB0XKHA.872@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> [crosspost to OE General]
>>
>> cf. http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain
>>
>> OE Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location
>> of the current identity's store.
>>
>> Tip: Avoid deleting FOLDERS.DBX unless absolutely necessary!
>>
>> <canned>
>> 1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and Deleted
>> Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for
>> archiving (saving) such messages.
>>
>> 1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
>> folders, too.
>>
>> 2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
>> (http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).
>>
>> 2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
>> Folder Options | View (cf.
>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html).
>>
>> 3. Close OE.
>>
>> 4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete the
>> files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.
>>
>> To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following caveats:
>>
>> - Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
>> folders created for this purpose.
>>
>> - Empty Deleted Items folder daily.
>>
>> - Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working
>> offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm
>>
>> - Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not attempt
>> to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
>> Compacting is taking place.
>>
>> - Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
>> corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
>> protection:
>>
>> Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
>> http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
>> www.banthecheck.com
>>
>>
>> Rainy wrote:
>>> Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her
>>> to go
>>> to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities... 5
>>> different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and
>>> to
>>> delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would start
>>> working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this normal?
>>> Rainy
>>>
>>> C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
>>> Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
>>> Express
>>> 3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number
>>>
>>> there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all
>>> with
>>> dbx folders inside.. some different than others..
>>>
>>> I am hoping you can help me.. thanks..
>>

I guess I didn't explain correctly.. OE crashed, it won't open.. thanks
Rainy

PA Bear [MS MVP] · External Since: Jan 08, 2009 Posts: 294

Rainy wrote:
>>>> Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her
>>>> to go
>>>> to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities... 5
>>>> different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and
>>>> to
>>>> delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would start
>>>> working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this normal?
>>>> Rainy
>>>>
>>>> C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
>>>> Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
>>>> Express
>>>> 3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number
>>>>
>>>> there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all
>>>> with
>>>> dbx folders inside.. some different than others..
>>>>
>>> cf. http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain
>>>
>>> OE Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location
>>> of the current identity's store.
>>>
>>> Tip: Avoid deleting FOLDERS.DBX unless absolutely necessary!
>>>
>>> <canned>
>>> 1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and
>>> Deleted
>>> Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for
>>> archiving (saving) such messages.
>>>
>>> 1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
>>> folders, too.
>>>
>>> 2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
>>> (http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).
>>>
>>> 2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
>>> Folder Options | View (cf.
>>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html).
>>>
>>> 3. Close OE.
>>>
>>> 4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete the
>>> files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.
>>>
>>> To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following caveats:
>>>
>>> - Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
>>> folders created for this purpose.
>>>
>>> - Empty Deleted Items folder daily.
>>>
>>> - Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working
>>> offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm
>>>
>>> - Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not
>>> attempt
>>> to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if Automatic
>>> Compacting is taking place.
>>>
>>> - Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
>>> corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
>>> protection:
>>>
>>> Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
>>> http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm
>
> I guess I didn't explain correctly.. OE crashed, it won't open..

You didn't explain it /at all/ and I guess my CrystalBall© missed.

Start here: http://www.insideoe.com/problems/errors.htm#crash

Panic · External Since: Dec 13, 2006 Posts: 46

To get to the correct identity open Outlook Express in the identity you wish
to work with. Then click on Tools...Options... and select the Maintenance
tab at the top. Now click on the Store Folder button. A window will open
up with the location pathname. Highlight it, right click and choose Copy.
Now at your basic desktop click on Start...Run.. and right click and choose
Paste. That will enter the path you want. Click the OK button and "voila"
it will take you where you want to be.

"Rainy" <love_sweetz.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:uxzl0yzXKHA.4020@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her to
> go to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities... 5
> different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and to
> delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would start
> working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this normal?
> Rainy
>
> C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
> Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
> Express
> 3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number
>
> there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all with
> dbx folders inside.. some different than others..
>
> I am hoping you can help me.. thanks..
>
>

Bruce Hagen · External Since: Apr 17, 2004 Posts: 7779

How do you do that if OE won't open? <g>
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA

"Panic" <smartwit.RemoveThis@home.com> wrote in message
news:%23FjcrJ9XKHA.3612@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> To get to the correct identity open Outlook Express in the identity you
> wish to work with. Then click on Tools...Options... and select the
> Maintenance tab at the top. Now click on the Store Folder button. A
> window will open up with the location pathname. Highlight it, right click
> and choose Copy. Now at your basic desktop click on Start...Run.. and
> right click and choose Paste. That will enter the path you want. Click
> the OK button and "voila" it will take you where you want to be.
>
>
> "Rainy" <love_sweetz.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:uxzl0yzXKHA.4020@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her to
>> go to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities...
>> 5 different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and
>> to delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would
>> start working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this
>> normal? Rainy
>>
>> C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
>> Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
>> Express
>> 3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number
>>
>> there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all
>> with dbx folders inside.. some different than others..
>>
>> I am hoping you can help me.. thanks..
>>
>>
>
>

Steve Cochran · External Since: Oct 18, 2003 Posts: 3547

To answer your original issue, the files in the last used Identity will have
the newest dates, so the folders.dbx file that has the newest date is likely
the one you need to delete.

steve

"Rainy" <love_sweetz.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:eMPJt00XKHA.3696@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:Oz67uB0XKHA.872@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> [crosspost to OE General]
>>>
>>> cf. http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain
>>>
>>> OE Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location
>>> of the current identity's store.
>>>
>>> Tip: Avoid deleting FOLDERS.DBX unless absolutely necessary!
>>>
>>> <canned>
>>> 1a. Move any messages that you want to keep out of Sent Items and
>>> Deleted Items folders and into other local OE folders you've created for
>>> archiving (saving) such messages.
>>>
>>> 1b. Move 99% of your messages in your Inbox folder to other local OE
>>> folders, too.
>>>
>>> 2a. Write down the location of your identity's store
>>> (http://www.insideoe.com/files/store.htm#storemain).
>>>
>>> 2b. Enable 'Show Hidden Files and Folders' via Start | Control Panel |
>>> Folder Options | View (cf.
>>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial62.html).
>>>
>>> 3. Close OE.
>>>
>>> 4. In Windows Explorer, navigate to your store folder, find & delete the
>>> files Outbox.dbx, Sent Items.dbx, and Deleted Items.dbx.
>>>
>>> To avoid such problems in the future, adhere to the following caveats:
>>>
>>> - Don't use Inbox or Sent Items to archive messages. Move them to local
>>> folders created for this purpose.
>>>
>>> - Empty Deleted Items folder daily.
>>>
>>> - Frequently perform a manual compact of all OE folders while "working
>>> offline". More at http://www.insideoe.com/files/maintain.htm
>>>
>>> - Do not cancel Automatic Compacting, should it occur, and do not
>>> attempt to close OE via Task Manager or shutdown your machine if
>>> Automatic Compacting is taking place.
>>>
>>> - Disable email scanning by your anti-virus application. It can cause
>>> corruption (i.e., loss of messages) and provides no additional
>>> protection:
>>>
>>> Why you don't need your anti-virus to scan your email
>>> http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm
>>> --
>>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
>>> www.banthecheck.com
>>>
>>>
>>> Rainy wrote:
>>>> Hi I am trying to help a friend with her outlook express... I told her
>>>> to go
>>>> to the store folder and when she did, she found several identities... 5
>>>> different folders.. I wanted her to go to where her dbx are stored and
>>>> to
>>>> delete folders.dbx and then deleted items.dbx and see if OE would start
>>>> working again.. but she has so many to choose from.. Is this normal?
>>>> Rainy
>>>>
>>>> C:\Documents and Settings\My Name\Local Settings\Application
>>>> Data\Identities\{3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE}\Microsoft\Outlook
>>>> Express
>>>> 3C881BD4-E302-4BD4-831B-59097D1B58AE is only one number
>>>>
>>>> there are four more to choose from... all with different numbers, all
>>>> with
>>>> dbx folders inside.. some different than others..
>>>>
>>>> I am hoping you can help me.. thanks..
>>>
>
> I guess I didn't explain correctly.. OE crashed, it won't open.. thanks
> Rainy
>