When I get to a problem message in Outlook Express, marked with a blue "down arrow" that means low priority, it locks up Outl. Expr. so I cannot display it, delete it, or do anything. I have to close Outl. Exp. and reopen it and avoid coming to it. I got another message from the same online retailer marked with same arrow and was able to delete it, but this one locks me up. I tried logging on with the email client in Win 7 on my wife's laptop to see if I could delete it, but it's apparently gone from the server. So it seems the message is gone but still in my Inbox. How can I get rid of it?1 person got this answerI do too

Turn off the preview pane so that when you select it, OE doesn't try to render it. Then hold Shift as you delete it. It should go away.Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]--------------------------------https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Brian.TillmanIf a reply helps, please vote it as helpful. If a reply solves the issue, please mark it as an answer.

When I get to a problem message in Outlook Express, marked with a blue "down arrow" that means low priority, it locks up Outl. Expr. so I cannot display it, delete it, or do anything. I have to close Outl. Exp. and reopen it and avoid coming to it. I got another message from the same online retailer marked with same arrow and was able to delete it, but this one locks me up. I tried logging on with the email client in Win 7 on my wife's laptop to see if I could delete it, but it's apparently gone from the server. So it seems the message is gone but still in my Inbox. How can I get rid of it?Did Brian's suggestion work? If yes, please mark his post as the answer.If it didn't work, create a new Inbox.Move all messages you want to save to a local folder you create, avoiding the problem message and then delete the Inbox as follows.Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store Folder will reveal the location of your Outlook Express files. Write the location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer or, copy and paste it into Start | Run.In WinXP, Win2K & Win2K3, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default marked as hidden. To view these files in Windows Explorer, you must enable Show Hidden Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options Icon | View, or in Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | View.With OE closed, find the Inbox.dbx and delete it. A new Inbox will be created automatically when you open OE.General precautions for Outlook Express:Do not archive mail in the Inbox or Sent Items. Create your own user defined folders and move the messages you wish to save to them. Empty Deleted Items folder daily. Although dbx files have a theoretical capacity of 2GB, I recommend about a 300MB max for less chance of corruption.Information about the maximum file size of the .dbx files that are used by Outlook Express:http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=903095After you are done, follow up by compacting your folders manually while working *offline* and do it often.Click on Outlook Express at the top of the folder tree so no folders are open. Then: File | Work Offline (or double click Working Online in the Status Bar). File | Folder | Compact all folders. Don't touch anything until the compacting is completed.Turn off e-mail scanning in your anti-virus program. It is a redundant layer of protection that eats up CPUs and causes a multitude of problems such as time-outs and account setting changes. Your up-to-date A/V program will continue to protect you sufficiently. For more, see:http://www.oehelp.com/OETips.aspx#3And backup often.Outlook Express Quick Backup (OEQB):http://www.oehelp.com/OEBackup/Default.aspx Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA

Thank you for your answer, Bruce. Brian's answer did solve it, and I marked it as the answer.

Brian, Thank you very much. It did solve the problem. I guess the Shift reinforces the Delete key, to delete a whole group of messages without the "are you sure you want to delete?" window.

Thanks for the feedback.Bruce HagenMS-MVP Oct. 1, 2004 ~ Sept. 30, 2010Imperial Beach, CA