Cannot View E-Mail Messages in Outlook Express Folder

• 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:

1. 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




2. Quit Outlook Express.



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



4. Open Outlook Express.

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