Virus Scan - Takes Forever because of the Outlook.pst file?

[penny1000000]

Hope someone can advise me what to do.....

WHen doing a VIRUS SCAN on my computer, it takes forever to do, and it appears that about a quarter of the time is taken up with the Outlook.pst and backup Outlook files. When I look at the screen as these files click from one to the other, I see that so many of the emails (probably most of them) that it is "SCANNING" are emails and attachments that I've DELETED YEARSSSSS ago!? I DON'T WANT these emails or attachments anymore, hence why I've deleted them, but copies of them are in this Outlook.pst & some other files, (backup.pst?)(I'm not sure).. I need to CLEAR this Outlook.pst file??.. Is this something I can do without interfering with the working of Outlook?.. It's just seems ridiculous to have these copies of emails in this file when I absolutely don't want them? And, they would be taking up space on my hard drive, which is actually running out of space?

Hope someone can advise? I would really appreciate your knowledge....

Thanks... Suzie.

[techdribble]

you can try compressing the pst file to reclaim space. Outlook doesnt give back the space when you delete emails etc. Not sure which version you have but in 2007 if you right click on "Personal Folders" in the Mail Folders list. Select "Properties from.." On the general tab press the Advanced button then select "Compact Now" which should reclaim space. The Anti-Virus I use (NOD32) doesnt have a problem with the .pst file but I also try a schedule scans for when I am not using the computer.

[JoshC1]

Hey, I know how to fix your problem!
Use Thunderbird instead!
It's a awesome, open source, easy to use email client!
It is so much better than outlook!
http://www.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/thunderbird/