Unable to delete Email message with Windows Vista

If you are using Email for Windows Vista and find you have an Email message that you cannot delete, there is a solution. I found this at:

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2270/vista_what_to_do_when_you_cannot_delete_a_message_in_windows_mail

A number of users are experiencing problems with Windows Mail and deleting messages from the Inbox and Outbox. The message will first become unviewable in the reading pane and will then generate an error when you try to delete it. This is usually caused by a corrupt mailstore. To rebuild the mailstore (WindowsMail.MSMessageStore), follow these steps:

1. Back up the email you wish to keep. While rebuilding the mailstore shouldn't result in any loss of email, it is always better to be safe.

2. Close Windows Mail.

3. Click the Start Button and select Computer.

4. Navigate to C:\Users\your username/AppData/Local/Microsoft/WindowsMail.

5. Delete WindowsMail.MSMessageStore.

6. Open the Backup directory.

7. Open the new directory.

8. Delete WindowsMail.MSMessageStore.

9. Open Windows Mail to rebuild the mailstore database.

You should now be able to view and delete the problematic message(s).

Note - in order to follow the above directions, I had to enable "show hidden files" in the folder view options

Update Sept 2007 - A fix is now available from Microsoft at:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941090

Apply the above fix and then restart your computer. When you go into Windows Mail the message will still be in your outbox but now you can delete it!

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