I ahve an email that is stuck in the outbos and is blocking other mail from going. I have tried to locate the folder it was in and delete from there but it's still there. It isn't a pic or vid file just a short brief email.....

"Krahls"

1. Have you tried marking the message as read and then deleting it? That's what I've been doing and so far it has always worked. Other things:
2. Try repairing the database with WMUtil from oehelp.com
3. There are two copies of WindowsMail.MSMessageStore, One in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Microsoft\Windows Mail and one in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Microsoft\Windows Mail\Backup\New If you delete both of these the database will be rebuilt. However, while no messages should be lost, some may be downloaded again and you may lose some record of which have been read. I recommend that you only do this when they are causing you trouble, like when they are in the Outbox. Otherwise I now just mark them as read and ignore them.
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM Do not send mail.

Mee too What Can I do? Please.....
"Krahls" wrote:

Unfortunately this is a common bug with Windows Mail. Once you get a 'ghost' email stuck in the Outbox, and it won't let you send anything, your options are quite limited. If you don't feel comfortable doing the database deletion/regeneration method that has been posted here numerous times, then your only remaining option is to install and use a different email program. Mozilla Thunderbird is free: mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/
Gary VanderMolen
"Ceba"

I'd like to thank Frank, Gary, Steve Cochran and everyone who has provided help on ths issue. I just spent the last hour on the phone guiding my 72 year old Mother through deleting the Mail database files, and although she did fine and it did fix the problem, this was much more complicated than it ever should be for a piece of critical consumer software like WinMail.
For what it's worth, the WMUtil prgram doe not appear to be able to repair the database if the "ghost" email is in the Outbox, the only solution I could find was deleting the database (both the regular and backup copies) and starting fresh. Sheesh..amazing that MS has not addressed this yet. Why on earth would they remove the ability to compact the databases manually?

"Gary VanderMolen" wrote:

I'm glad you got it working. Its a drastic step to have to do and hopefully a more surgical approach can be developed.
There is no rationale for some of the things MS does, so there is no point in asking for one.
steve
"hitparader"

"hitparader"

It is possible to compact manually, by changing the compact frequency setting from the default 100 closings to 1, close WM, do the compaction and then return the setting to a more reasonable 10 or so? WM>tools>options>advanced>maintenance.

Please direct me to the most detailed explanation to delete and rebuild the database. I have been stuck in this situation or three weeks now and as someone who runs a consultancy from aq home office - I am dead in the water in conducting business. Thanks
"Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM" wrote:

"hitparader"

Agreed, this is also what I experienced.

Thanks for your feedback. This is the only way we can find out what fixes work and which ones don't. Gary VanderMolen

Delete both copies of WindowsMail.MSMessageStore as I described (While WinMail is closed)
Or, also while WinMail is closed, move the entire message store to your Documents folder.
If you do not remove Norton, McAfee or whatever security program that is causing this it will happen again. I suggest you switch to Thunderbird.
"julie"

Its easier with my WMUtil program (oehelp.com/WMUtil/)
steve
" mac"

First thing is to remove McAfee or Norton AV and antispam from the computer if they exist. You may need to visit their website to fully uninstall the product (for Norton see here: service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039. Then get something less invasive. There are a number of free antivirus programs, but with any you have to disable email scanning. See oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3
You can also try compacting and repairing the database using my WMUtil program (oehelp.com/WMUtil/).
After that, the only solution so far is to wipe out the database. So go to Tools | Options | Advanced | Maintenance | Store Folder to find the message store location. Then move everything under that Windows Mail directory to another directory, so that the Windows Mail directory is completely empty. Then restart WinMail and it will open fresh with nothing in the database. You can then add your accounts and if they work correctly then you can import messages from the directory to which you moved the files back into WinMail (see oehelp.com/backup.aspx#wm2wm).
steve
"julie"