Missing Folders in Outlook Express

• Microsoft Outlook Express version 4.0 for Windows 95
• Microsoft Outlook Express version 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to view the folders on an Internet Mail Access Protocol (IMAP) server in Outlook Express, the folders may be missing.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Folders.nch file is missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, rename the Folders.nch file, and then refresh your folder list. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Quit Outlook Express.

2. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.

3. In the Named box, type "folders.nch" (without quotation marks), and then click Find Now.

4. Right-click the Folders.nch file located in the following folder, and then click Rename

         <Outlook Express>\<username>\Imap\<servername>
   

   where <Outlook Express> is the path to your Outlook Express folder, and <servername> is the name of your IMAP server.

5. Rename the Folders.nch file to Folders.xxx.

6. Start Outlook Express.

7. On the Folder toolbar, right-click the IMAP server, and then click Refresh Folder List on the menu that appears.

MORE INFORMATION

The Folders.nch file is a local file that stores a cache of all folders on a server. Your subscriptions are stored on the IMAP server and are not affected if the Folders.nch file is missing or damaged. Refreshing the folder list creates a new Folders.nch file. It is not necessary to subscribe to all folders again.