Outlook Express 6 IMAP Performance Fixes
A performance issue was discovered in Outlook Express 6 when several (or large) IMAP folders exist. The problem arises when Outlook Express 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 Express.
This guide illustrates how to reconfigure Outlook Express by not checking all IMAP mail folders and lengthening the mail check interval.
1) In your main e-mail window, click once on one of your IMAP folders [1] (these are the mail folders stored on the server).
Click "Tools" from the menu bar [2].
Click "Accounts" [3].
2) Click once on your mail account in the list (it might be the only one listed).
Click the Mail tab [1], and then click Properties [2].
3) Click the "IMAP" tab [1].
Uncheck the option "Check for new messages in all new messages" [2].
Click the "OK" button [3].
4) Click "Close" to close the Internet Accounts window.
5) Back in your main e-mail window, click the "Tools" item on the menu bar, and select "Options..."
6) Make sure that the "General" tab is selected. There are a great number of options here to explore, but the one that we are concerned with right now is the checkbox labeled "Check for new messages every __ minutes". Make sure this option is checked and set the value to 15 minutes, or a higher number if you do not need to check mail so frequently.
When finished, click the button labeled "OK" to return to Outlook Express's main window.
