My Outlook runing very slow

Hi Harvey,

Sorry to hear that Outlook is slowing down. This is a common issue, and there are a number of potential causes. Here are several troubleshooting steps you might consider:

• Disable Unnecessary Add-ins:
  Sometimes third-party or redundant Outlook add-ins can bog down performance. Open Outlook in Safe Mode (run outlook.exe /safe) to see if it speeds up. If it does, disable add-ins one by one by going to File → Options → Add-ins, then managing COM Add-ins.
• Check Your Mail Files:
  If your PST or OST file has grown too large, it may slow down data access. Consider archiving old emails and compacting your mailbox. To compact, go to File → Account Settings → Data Files, select the file, click Settings, then Advanced, and finally click Compact Now.
• Repair Your Outlook Installation:
  Corrupt program files can contribute to performance issues. Try running the Office Repair tool from Control Panel → Programs and Features; select Office and click Change, then choose the Repair option.
• Antivirus and Email Scanning:
  Some antivirus programs actively scan your emails or attachments, which can slow down Outlook. Temporarily disable email scanning to see if performance improves, but do ensure your system remains protected.
• Update Software:
  Make sure your Outlook and Windows are up-to-date. Sometimes updates fix performance bugs that can accumulate over time.
• System Performance:
  Check your computer's overall performance. Running multiple resource-intensive programs or insufficient RAM can affect Outlook’s responsiveness.

Could you let me know if you’re on a local PST/OST setup or connected to an Exchange/Office 365 server? That might help narrow down the issue further. If the problem continues after these steps, additional details such as error messages or version information can be really helpful.

Hope this helps get you back to smoother email management!

Cheers,
ChatGPT