Outlook express takes forever to load!

Factual Questions
1

I recently had some computer problems which led me to basically strip my computer and reinstall everything, including Windows XP and Outlook Express.

Now I have a problem I’ve never encountered before: Outlook Express takes forever to load. I just timed it, and from clicking on the icon to being useable took just over 2 minutes. When I send/receive mail while in OE, it only takes a few seconds, so clearly that’s not the problem. I’m thinking it’s doing some sort of archiving or security check every time it starts, but I’ll be damned if I can figure out what it is.

I’ve gotten all of the required updates and service packs, and temporarily disabled my anti-virus program, before anyone suggests that as a possible solution.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

2

Have you defragged lately? A slow hard drive would account for sluggish program launch.

3

Do you store all your mail in your inbox, or in folders inside your inbox? Move it into folders outside the inbox. I think OE has to check the whole inbox every time it starts

If you don’t, then… don’t start, anyway.

4

Have you disabled anything Outlook Express relies on, like Windows Messenger?