@Opus1 (Opus1) posted a new topic, subject "Outlook express takes forever to load!". It read:

   I recently had some computer problems which led me to basically strip my computer and reinstall everything, including Windows XP and Outlook Express.
    
    Now I have a problem I've never encountered before: Outlook Express takes forever to load. I just timed it, and from clicking on the icon to being useable took just over 2 minutes. When I send/receive mail while in OE, it only takes a few seconds, so clearly that's not the problem. I'm thinking it's doing some sort of archiving or security check every time it starts, but I'll be damned if I can figure out what it is.
    
    I've gotten all of the required updates and service packs, and temporarily disabled my anti-virus program, before anyone suggests that as a possible solution.
    
    Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

To which @Fear_Itself (Fear Itself) replied

    Have you defragged lately? A slow hard drive would account for sluggish program launch.

Then @Ross (Ross) said

    Do you store all your mail in your inbox, or in folders inside your inbox? Move it into folders outside the inbox. I think OE has to check the whole inbox every time it starts
    
    If you don't, then… don't start, anyway.

To which @slortar (slortar) replied

    Have you disabled anything Outlook Express relies on, like Windows Messenger?


{'source': 'discourse', 'url': 'https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-takes-forever-to-load/260266', 'title': 'Outlook express takes forever to load!', 'views': 765, 'has_accepted_answer': False, 'word_count': 208, 'like_count': 0, 'reply_count': 3, 'participant_count': 4, 'posts': 4, 'tags': '', 'author': '@Opus1 (Opus1)', 'participants': '@Opus1 (Opus1), @Fear_Itself (Fear Itself), @Ross (Ross), @slortar (slortar)', 'image_url': [None], 'created_at': '2004-08-17T17:23:40.000Z', 'last_posted_at': '2004-08-17T19:20:51.000Z'}