Outlook XP Pro - Can not delete nor move files in a specific Folder

[Lloyd Lindsay]

Hi:

I have Outlook XP Pro running in a Windows XP Pro computer. My active
programs running at the same time are AVG free (anti-virus), Microsoft
Anti Spyware, and Google Desktop Search.

In the last two days, I have been unable to delete or move my messages
in a specific subdirectory folder that I renamed to "Notdeleting".

When I attempt to delete a message in the directory, I receive the
following warning: "The messaging interface has returned an unknown
error. If the problem persists, restart outlook."

When I attempt to move a message in the directory, I receive the
following warning: "Can't move the items."

While I can move the directory, it will always wind up with the
messages as a subdirectory of my Deleted Items folder. And when I
then try to delete the entire directory, I get the warning: "Unable to
delete this folder."

However, I was able to copy the messages in the "Notdeleting" folder
to another folder by using the Edit Copy to Another Folder command.
And I could move and delete the copies as I would any other regular
message.

Although I ran the Detect and Repair and the Inbox repair tool,
Scanpst.exe, I still can not delete the files in my Notdeleting folder
nor the folder itself.

What's the quickest and best way to fix the problem?

 

[K. Orland]

Hi Lloyd,
Are you using a PST? What size is it? You may also want to work in Outlook
offline (File > Work Offline) to try to delete, or open Outlook in safe mode
and try to delete then:

http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/commandlineswitches.htm

 

[Lloyd Lindsay]

Thanks for your response.

Hi Lloyd,
Are you using a PST? What size is it? You may also want to work in Outlook
offline (File > Work Offline) to try to delete, or open Outlook in safe mode
and try to delete then:

http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/commandlineswitches.htm

None of the above worked, but making regular backups saved the day.
Here is what I did.

1. I renamed my Outlook.pst file to May 3 06.pst

2. I then recovered my Outlook.pst file that I had backed up two days
ago. This version did not contain files that I could not move or
delete.

3. I then opened Outlook, which loaded the previous Outlook.pst file,
and then did a File Open to open the May 03 06pst file.

4. I then moved the new messages in the May 03.pst file to my
recovered Outlook.pst file.

5. Then, while in Outlook, I closed the May 03.pst file (which showed
up as a personal file in Outlook --- not an Outlook Today - personal
file).

6. I exited Outlook, and using Windows Explorer, moved the May
03.pst file to another directory.

7. I opened Outlook and it did not have a problem opening the new
modified Outlook.pst file.

8. I then exited Outlook, and using Windows Explorer, I deleted the
May 03.pst file.

Everything works now as it should.

The size of my Outlook.pst file was 33 MB and the Archive.pst file was
158 MB.

Unfortunately, I wasted time trying to run the Detect and Repair and
the Inbox repair tool, Scanpst.exe, but neither worked.