Cannot View E-Mail Messages in Outlook Express Folder

ID: Q230187

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Outlook Express version 4.01 Service Pack 2 for Windows 98
Microsoft Outlook Express versions 4.0, 4.01, 4.01 Service Pack 1, 4.01 Service Pack 2 for Windows 95
Microsoft Outlook Express versions 4.0, 4.01, 4.01 Service Pack 1, 4.01 Service Pack 2 for Windows NT 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you view the properties of an e-mail folder in Outlook Express, the properties may indicate that the folder contains e-mail messages even though there are no messages in the folder.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if the index (.IDX) file associated with the folder is corrupt.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

Back up the IDX and MBX files associated with the Outlook Express\Mail folder.

NOTE: The default location for these files is <Windows>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express\Mail, where <Windows> is the drive and path where Windows is installed.

For information about creating a backup of your mail folders, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q188854 How to Back Up the Address Book and Mail Folders

Quit Outlook Express.

Delete the IDX file for the folder that you cannot view correctly in the <Windows>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Express\Mail folder.

Open Outlook Express.

The Index files are created when Outlook Express starts.

NOTE: If you move new messages into the folder before you correct this issue, the IDX and MBX files may be synchronized and you may not be able to retrieve the messages using this process.

Additional query words:


Keywords          : kbui outexw95 outexnt win98 outexw98 
Version           : WINDOWS:4.0,4.01,4.01 Service Pack 1,4.01 Service Pack 2
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: July 1, 1999