How to index Outlook?

January 18, 2006 12:52 PM

How can I get desktop search programs to co-exist with Outlook?

Every time I try to use a desktop search engine (ie. Google, MSN, Yahoo, Lookout, etc.), it seems to index all my Outlook IMAP folders with no problem.

Each time, however, Outlook soon stops downloading new messages. When I press "Send/Receive", it acts as if it is scanning for new messages. However, nothing is delivered. By checking on another computer, I can see that indeed I do have new messages in my inbox.

The only way I can fix it is to uninstall the indexing program, delete my existing email profile, and then create a new profile. Upon doing so, my missing messages show up.

I'd really like to make use of one of these programs, but I'm stumped.

By the way, I'm running Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4, and Outlook 2003 SP1.

posted by neurodoc to computers & internet (4 comments total)

I can only suggest trying Copernic Desktop Search which may make the problem go away as there is an option in the preferences to not index emails as they arrive.
posted by mr_silver at 1:25 PM on January 18, 2006

Try first updating to Outlook 2003 SP2. It's probably something with one of the other add-ins. Try to disable some of the add-ins/COM add-ins, until you figure out which one of them is causing the problem.
posted by Sharcho at 5:28 PM on January 18, 2006

In addition to the above, try Lookout - the desktop search engine that was so good MS had to buy it. I don't favour the new MS version as much as the old (original) - but it's very good.
posted by DrtyBlvd at 5:43 AM on January 19, 2006

I've tried Copernic before, and have had the same problem. But I see they've updated recently, so maybe I should try again. And as I mentioned in my original message, Lookout has the problem as well.

I'll see if an update to SP2 helps...The only extensions installed are SAVCORP90 (Symantic anti-virus) and something caled "Exchange Extensions Property Page". I don't know if either of these could cause this problem.
posted by neurodoc at 10:37 AM on January 19, 2006