NetworkClue

[ncadmin]

try this large shopping list of possibilities I have compiled when troubleshooting slow Outlook, some of which I have listed below:

You need to determine if it is the SERVER or the CLIENT that is causing the slowness.

Phase 1 - Server or Client
Connect to Exchange System Manager and check total # of Logons for that user. Poor connections to the exchange server (when not using Outlook anywhere) can cuase a problem with excessive sessions.

Phase 2a - Client - Outlook Config

Apply patch KB933493 - already done (Addresses OST and PST speed issues for Outlook 2007)
Disable Plug-ins (one-at-a-time)!

Disable Google Desktop plug-in/add-in
Disable M$ Desktop Search plug-in/add-in
Disable the Anti-Virus Plug-in

Turn off 'Remove Extra Line Breaks' - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308319/en-us - addresses slow plain text e-mails
Corrupt message in Inbox - move all messages out of inbox
Disable Instant Messenger Plugin
Turn of the use of RSS feeds

Phase 2b - Client - Config Profile
Start outlook in safe mode. if it is still slow - try the solutions below:

Delete outcmd.dat file in application data\microsoft\outlook - may be corrupt
run outlook.exe /cleanview (for outlook XP and older only)
Disable anti-virus on the computer (try the AV plug-in first)

Phase 2c - Server - Performance possibilities
Refer to the Exchange Forum - http://forums.networkclue.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=11

References:
http://www.google.com/search?q=outlook+2003+slow+preview+pane
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/SpeedingUpASlowOutlook2007.aspx[
http://www.techimo.com/forum/t159030.html
http://www.rk-net.com/Windows9X/Outlook1.htm
http://stana.net/content/networktips.asp?Action=GetRecord&ID=21
lots of similar complaints here - unfortunately few solutions:
http://forums.microsoft.com/technet/showpost.aspx?pageindex=13&siteid=17&postid=1719691&sb=0&d=1&at=7&ft=11&tf=0&pageid=1[/b]
http://entsupport.symantec.com/docs/n2004011514362548 - email is scanned multiple times

[ncadmin]

So by following my own tips listed above I found the solution a client was running into with their Outlook 2007 w/ Exchange on a Windows XP box.

When you switch to a large mesage, there was no response for about 5 seconds, then the preview pane would activate (the Thinking/Progress bar would move) and be slow for antoher 5 seconds (As if it was taking for ever to RENDER).

By turning off the Anti-Virus plug-in loading times dropped to almost ZERO. Obviously we are waiting for a performance enhancement for Outlook 2007.

For your reference, below are some Internet articles addressing HTML rendering in Outlook:
http://entsupport.symantec.com/docs/
http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=446030
http://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/archives/2007/01/microsoft_takes_email_design_b.html
http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2007/01/10/microsoft-breaks-html-email-rendering-in-outlook/

For now I have applied the recommended RegHan2004011514362548ck so that file scanning only occurs once. Hopefully a performance enhancement will be released for office 2007.