Here is the fix that worked for me.
I did a search on microsoft's support center and I found the fix!
There are two solutions, the SECOND one (#2, editing the registry) worked for me:
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SYMPTOMS
Outlook Express may be very slow when you try to open it, create a new mail message, or switch identities.
CAUSE
This behavior can occur for one of the following reasons:
The Pstores.exe file and associated .dll files may be corrupted, or their versions may be incorrect.
-or-
The ProtectedStorage registry key has incorrect parameters.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue:
#1 Rename the Pstore.log file, and obtain a new copy of the Pstores.exe file and associated files.
-or-
#2 Delete, and then re-create the ProtectedStorage registry key.
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Fix #1
Rename the Pstore.log File
Search for a Pstore.log file. If you do not find the file, skip to the next section. If you find it, rename it:
Click Start , point to Files , and then click Files or Folders .
In the Named field, type pstore.log .
Verify that the Look In field displays your primary hard drive (usually C), and then click Find Now .
Right-click the pstore.log file found in the search, and then click Rename .
Rename the file "pstoreold.log" (without the quotation marks), and then press ENTER.
Obtain a New Copy of Pstores.exe and Associated Files
To obtain a new copy of the Pstores.exe file and associated files, reinstall Microsoft Internet Explorer. For information about installing or reinstalling Internet Explorer, please see the "Internet Explorer Setup Frequently Asked Questions" page at the following Microsoft
Web site:
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Fix #2
Delete the ProtectedStorage Registry Key
WARNING : Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT or Windows 2000, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).
Delete the ProtectedStorage registry key by using the following method:
Click Start , click Run , type regedit , and then click OK .
Locate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
Find the ProtectedStorage key, right-click it, and then click Delete .
Quit Registry Editor.
Re-Create the ProtectedStorage Registry Key
To re-create the ProtectedStorage registry key:
Click Start , point to Programs , and then click MS DOS Prompt .
In the MS-DOS Prompt window, type the following command
c:\windows\system\pstores.exe -install
and then press ENTER.
Type exit , and then press ENTER to close the MS-DOS Prompt window.
Quit all programs, and then restart the computer.
MORE INFORMATION:
This behavior can occur after you uninstall a previous version of McAfee VirusScan and then install a new version. You cannot remove files that are in use until you restart the computer. If you do not restart the computer after you uninstall the previous version of McAfee VirusScan, certain .dll files that are installed by the newer version are removed when you do eventually restart the computer. For more information on this issue, please visit the Product Knowledge Center at the following McAfee Web site:
The third-party contact information included in this article is provided to help you find the technical support you need. This contact information is subject to change without notice. Microsoft in no way guarantees the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
If this article does not solve the issue, then proceed to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base
