Micorsoft Outlook - creating a rule doesn't work the first time...

[Rhonda]

When I create a rule by clicking the create rule on toolbar when the message
is highlighted, I check all the conditions, then when the rule is created and
it asks if I owuld like to run the rule, it doesn't move the message to the
folder I ask it to. Then I need to go to Tools > Rules and Alerts and then
delete the rule I just made. Close the box, do the whole process over of
creating a rule, then run the rule it works. Why doesn't it work the first
time?

I have Windows XP Home with Office 2003 and current updates.


Thanks!

 

[Mary]

Rules work on incoming mail as it arrives. You must move already delivered
mail yourself.

 

[Rhonda]

I know I can move that message to the folder, but when new messages come in
that would fall under that rule, they still don't go into the folder.

I understand that, but when the rule is created, a box opens up asking if I
want to run the rule in current folder which is where the message is, but
when it runs the rule, it does nothing the first time. The second time I
create the rule on the exact same message with the same conditions as I
applied the first time around (I delete the first rule as to not having a
bunch of rules being run that are not working), when the box comes up, it
WILL move the message to the folder listed in that rule.

If I leave that first rule created and I have other messages that come in
that would fall under that rule, the rule doesn't work unless I create
another rule which then becomes the same rule with a (1) or a (2) etc.
(depending on how many times I had to create that rule to get it to finally
work).

I am just curious why it does it like this and if others have the same
problem.

Thanks.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I know I can move that message to the folder, but when new messages
come in that would fall under that rule, they still don't go into the
folder.

Post the exact rule definition and an example of a message you think it
should act upon but doesn't (masking any real mail addresses, of course).

 

[Rhonda]

OK but it isn't the rule itself. If I delete the first one and write a
second one EXACTLY the same, it works.
This is what it has for the Rule Description:
Apply this rule after the message arrives
sent to (e-mail address removed)
and on this machine only
move it to the Junk E-mail Folder

 

[Rhonda]

I just tried to set up a new rule using the icon on the top toolbar and it
did it again where it doesn't "run" the rule in the inbox folder. I took a
look at the rule that is created by clicking Tools > Rules & Alerts and
looking at the rule. For some reason it changed the rule to read "on other
machine" instead of saying " on this machine only". Sometimes when I create
the rule it will work perfectly and other times it doesn't. Apparently it
has something to do with what machine it's on (why it would choose "on other
machine" is a mystery, only have 1). Any idea if there maybe a default for
this to always have the rule come up "on this machine only"?
Thanks.

 

[Brian Tillman]

OK but it isn't the rule itself. If I delete the first one and write
a second one EXACTLY the same, it works.
This is what it has for the Rule Description:
Apply this rule after the message arrives
sent to (e-mail address removed)
and on this machine only
move it to the Junk E-mail Folder

If you have other rules after this one in the list, be sure to include the
"stop processing more rules" action as well.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I just tried to set up a new rule using the icon on the top toolbar
and it did it again where it doesn't "run" the rule in the inbox
folder. I took a look at the rule that is created by clicking Tools
the rule to read "on other machine" instead of saying " on this
machine only". Sometimes when I create the rule it will work
perfectly and other times it doesn't. Apparently it has something to
do with what machine it's on (why it would choose "on other machine"
is a mystery, only have 1). Any idea if there maybe a default for
this to always have the rule come up "on this machine only"?

Are you using a POP/SMTP account, oo are you using an Exchange account at
your place of employment? If the former, was your PST ever on another
machine and moved to the machine you're using now?