Outlook Express stores messages in a folder, location defined in Tools > Options > Maintenance > Store Folder. It converts every folder to respective .dbx file, for example inbox.dbx. Large dbx files turn Outlook Express to load slower.

Create New folder under Inbox. The format of the folder name should follow ‘Inbox-yyyy-mm’. Use the same format for your Sent box too. After you have created the folder, move all messages to their respective folder.

Close Outlook Express now. Go to the Store Folder, delete the file inbox.dbx and start Outlook Express again. The new inbox.dbx will be clean once again!

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