WLM no longer compacts files on exit

My email store was about 4Gb, quite stable (I have run the 2011 version since its arrival). Because of recent troubles, ably resolved on this site, I had to temporarily shift many files out, and eventually back in. With lots of backup copies during this, the ending volume was about 8Gb.

Then I deleted all the unneeded files. Previously the compacting variable was untouched, at the default of every 100 program exits, no problem. Now I set it to every 1. It refused to run. So I set it to every 2. It exited normally on the "off" times, but on the "on" time it produced the error message
"The folder is currently in use by WLM or another application"
It does this even when I close everything, reboot and immediately run WLM and exit. And the message store is now up to 9Gb.

Is there any fix, short of reinstalling?

koalady said:

...Is there any fix, short of reinstalling?

You can always try a repair of Windows Live Essentials via Programs and Features.

roncerr said:

koalady said:

...Is there any fix, short of reinstalling?

You can always try a repair of Windows Live Essentials via Programs and Features.

Thank you: I tried that. But after 18 minutes, this window appeared: "sorry, something unexpected occurred and WLM must close." But then, another window, "WL Essentials repaired successfully."
But it didn't the error remained: refused to compact the folders on exit.

Now I guess I should "just" uninstall/reinstall WLM? The quotes are because it seems a hazardous enterprise, with data corruption a possibility? Please advise! And thank you in advance...

Hello koalady.
Give this a try and see if WLM compacts when closed.

Switch to Mail mode before exiting
File/Work Offline
File/Exit

@BrightBlessings. I followed your instruction and hit the 'work offline' button on the 'ribbon' menu. It started to go offline, but then produced an error message, noting that there were incoming messages that could not be completed. (this is because despite a lengthy correspondence with Yahoo, my email provider, my POP mail arrives at my client at a time of its choosing, despite my having automatic downloading switched OFF in WLM).

I restarted WLM. Same error:
Unable to send or receive messages for the goTalk Yahoo account. An unknown error has occurred.

Server: 'pop.mail.yahoo.com'
Windows Live Mail Error ID: 0x80004005
Protocol: POP3
Port: 110
Secure(SSL): No

I re-booted the system and the error STILL occurs. I tried sending a test message. Same error. So I can no longer send or receive POP mail.

So I think I'd better repeat my request for advice on how to safely reinstall the *%!*** program!

Are you sure you have a POP account with Yahoo? I thought they charged a fee for POP access.