How to Optimize Microsoft Outlook 2003
- 1). Delete all emails that you do not need to keep a copy of. Click the "deleted items" folder within your folder list on the left side of the screen and click "Tools" - "Empty deleted items folder" on a daily basis.
- 2). "Right Click" the "Inbox" folder on the left screen panel and select "new folder." Enter a name to describe and categorize the types of emails that you need to retain. Click "Tools" - "Rules and Alerts" and click the "New Rule" button. Use the template to establish rules based upon the email subject or sender's name to automatically assign your emails to the new folders that you created.
- 3). Right-click any individual emails you receive that are not part of a rule and select "Move to Folder" to manually assign them to your created folders. Outlook performance is optimal when the number of emails in the default "Inbox" folder is minimal. You can also work more efficiently by organizing your emails for retrieval and follow up.
- 4). Right-click each of your mail folders on the left side of the screen and select "Properties" - "AutoArchive." Select "Archive this folder using these settings" to establish time frames to move older items to external storage files, or to delete them entirely. This procedure is particularly useful with the "Sent items" folder.
- 5). Update your Microsoft Windows operating system regularly to ensure that is working as efficiently as possible. Microsoft service packs include updates to Microsoft Outlook that are designed to correct problems with the software and increase performance.
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