Outlook 2003 IMAP Performance Fixes
A performance issue was discovered in Outlook 2003 when several (or large) IMAP folders are subscribed. The problem arises when Outlook checks for mail, scanning not only the Inbox but also all the IMAP mail folders stored on the server. Combined with a frequent mail check interval or a relatively slow Internet connection, this unfavorable configuration can cause slowness and timeouts in Outlook.
This guide illustrates how to reconfigure Outlook 2003 by lengthening the mail check interval and unsubscribing IMAP mail folders.
1) In your main e-mail window, click the "Tools" menu item, and select "Options".
2) Click on the tab labeled "Mail Setup" and then the button labeled "Send/Receive..."
3) Ensure that the following options are set, under the heading "When Outlook is Online":
- Include this group in send/receive (F9): Checked
- Schedule an automatic send/receive every __ minutes: Checked, and set the value to 15 minutes, or more if you do not need to check for new mail this frequently.
Click "OK" to leave the Send/Receive Groups option window, and "OK" once more to leave the Options window.
4) In your main e-mail window, click once on any of your IMAP folders
[1] (these are the mail folders stored on the server).
From the Tools menu at the top [2],
choose IMAP Folders... [3].
5) In the "IMAP Folders" window, click the Subscribed tab [1].
Then click the Query button [2].
6) A list of your IMAP mail folders should appear.
To select all of your folders, click once on the first folder listed [1].
Scroll down to the bottom of list by clicking the down-arrow [2].
When you reach the end of the list,
hold down the SHIFT key on your keyboard and click the last folder [3].
All of your IMAP folders will be selected.
Click the Unsubscribe button [4].
Uncheck "When displaying hierarchy in Outlook, show only subscribed folders." [5].
Click OK [6].
