Outlook 2003 - Cannot Delete Found Files Using Built-In Search

[kjv1611]

This may be a silly duh kind of question, but it continues to allude me.

I'm using MS Office Outlook 2003 on an Exchange Server at work.

If I want to search for email items just by a keyword, and then delete them, then I plan on using the quick little search deal right there above the Inbox.

Well, I've noticed today that if I do use this feature in this way, I cannot delete any messages. Not ANY!

Here is the error message I get when trying to delete them:

The item could not be deleted. It was either moved or already deleted, or access was denied.

So Outlook is telling me, "there are 3 possibilities to your error." [WINK]

Any thoughts on this one?

My initial guess is that perhaps this search feature just pulls a query of some sort pulling the records based on your search request. And since it's just a simple query, you do not have direct access to the actual file (like a query in MS Access or a View in MS SQL Server). However when you use advanced search, Outlook does run a query, but instead of listing out the reslts of the query, it actually gives you access to the actual file (I'm not sure as to the HOW on this part).

Any thoughts/suggestions/explanations/references/jokes even would be nice.

Thanks in advance!

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[cmeagan656]

Just for giggles try right clicking on one of the messages that "search" had found and deleting it through the right click menu rather than using the X in the toolbar.

If the above is the way that you were trying it then try using the X on the toolbar instead.

I have a similar issue - mine happens when I move an email to another folder and then try to move it again or delete it in the same Outlook session. However, while its annoying it doesn't happen often enough for me to bother troubleshooting it.

Another options would be to try a Detect & Repair of Outlook from the Help menu. It didn't help in my case but...

Cheers.

 

[kjv1611]

I might try both of those delete options later to see. If I remember correctly, I was just using the <Del> button on the keyboard.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me