Vista: What To Do When You Cannot Delete a Message in Windows Mail

Posted by Rob Rogers in Microsoft Vista

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).

About Rob Rogers

Once a prolific author here on Tech-Recipes, Rob has moved on to greener pastures.
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14 Responses to “Vista: What To Do When You Cannot Delete a Message in Windows Mail”

February 21, 2009 at 5:17 am, Rick said:

Followed your instructions and it worked perfect. Thank you very much

Reply
September 02, 2009 at 2:12 am, Name said:

Had a message that wouldn’t delete. This fixed my problem 100%. Thanks

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October 30, 2009 at 5:30 pm, Anonymous said:

I tried that but then every file now wouldnt delte, so I had to delete the backup wich wiped everything, so thanks stupid spam enail I hope your happy.

Reply
December 14, 2009 at 3:35 pm, Hozefa KB said:

Thanks, this solved my problem

actually, wait it didnt, when i select the messages and click the delete button, these messages disappear. but when i refresh the folder, those messages appear again.
WTH??

the messages are still there in my remote email account.
Thank alot for wasting my time…

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- December 31, 2009 at 1:40 am, s0merand0md00d said:
  
  If you are unable to delete a message in Windows Mail (getting “An unknown error has occurred”) mark that message as Read, then try again to delete
  
  Reply
  - January 07, 2010 at 3:19 pm, Hozefa KB said:
    
    i am not getting any errors, the email itself is restored back to inbox. even after refreshing and clicking on “send and recieve all”, the message is there. am i missing something?
    
    Reply
March 10, 2010 at 9:44 am, Sam said:

Thanks..It worked like a charm for me..

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March 11, 2010 at 9:09 pm, Bill said:

I have Vista. I want to empty my deleted items folder.
When I right click on DELETED ITEMS and select EMPTY DELETED ITEMS
FOLDER, I get ARE YOU SURE… and click YES.
Nothing happens.
I now have over 3,000 deleted items.
Help.

Reply
August 18, 2010 at 6:43 pm, Guest said:

Nice guy!

Reply
September 13, 2010 at 9:12 am, Nik_666 said:

the removed all my mails,how the hell do i get them back?

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- May 09, 2011 at 3:05 am, Rian said:
  
  To restore the mails
  
  1. open
  Windows Mail – you see the inbox etc are all empty, close again Windows Mail.2. Now open C:Usersyour username/AppData/Local/Microsoft/WindowsMail
  .
  
  You will see there is a new folder named Local Folder (1) – in my case that is the name..maybe you find similar name.
  
  3. You must exchange the name, so you change name Local Folder (1) –> Local Folder A ( for example ).. and change Local Folder –> became Local Folder (1)
  
  4. Open again Windows Mail.. then the windows Mail will restore all the folders and mails within.
  
  5. After you checked if all correct, you can delete the folder Local Folder A.. which now is unneeded..
  
  It is worked in my case.. I hope it works also for you.
  
  Reply
December 20, 2010 at 12:28 am, carol said:

This is what I keep getting when I want to date…I have Vista and my e-mail messages will not delete.. I did this and it did not work..

The host ‘pop.cental.cox.net’ could not be found. Please verify that you have entered the server name correctly.
Account: ‘pop.cental.cox.net’, Server: ‘pop.cental.cox.net’, Protocol: POP3, Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 11001, Error Number: 0x800CCC0D

Reply
June 30, 2012 at 6:08 pm, Lisa said:

I am trying to following your instructions, but I cannot locate “AppData” under my username! Where is “AppData?”

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- November 24, 2012 at 9:45 pm, Leo said:
  
  The AppData Folder is a hidden folder. In explore find folder options, view, and set it to show hidden folders. Once applied for should now see any hidden folders in the folder youire in.
  
  Reply