unknown error in windows mail

When I try to use the empty delete items on my mail stored in my
deleted mail file, I receive an error message stating that an "unknown error
has occurred "and mail still remains in the file . What can I do?

Same problem here. Is it a glitch in Vista?

This will fix your problem:
Read the "First" section in this tutorial about antivirus programs to
help prevent this from happening again, then install the KB941090
Microsoft Update in the "Second" section to fix the stuck message
problem.

I'm not sure you should delete it. You can delete the message(s) that
cause it, though. Download and install this fix, with Windows Mail not
running:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/941090

Although it's labelled as for mail stuck in the Outbox, it also works in
other folders. If you don't know whether to use the 32-bit version or
the 64-bit version, try the 32-bit version first. Certain common
antivirus programs, such as most of those from Norton or McAfee,
or a recent one from Trend, tend to cause such problems, although
seldom immediately, so if you have such a program, remember where
to find the fix - you are likely to need it again.

You may need to delete those messages after the fix makes them
deletable again, though.

what is the answer to get rid of the problem??

Download and install this fix, with Windows Mail not running:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/941090

Although it's labelled as for mail stuck in the Outbox, it also works in
other folders. If you don't know whether to use the 32-bit version or
the 64-bit version, try the 32-bit version first. Certain common
antivirus programs, such as most of those from Norton or McAfee,
tend to cause such problems, although seldom immediately, so if you
have such a program, remember where to find the fix - you are likely
to need it again. A recent antivirus program from Trend also causes
assorted problems in Windows Mail.

I have about 50 items in my deleted box that I can't empty out.

Download and install this hotfix, with Windows Mail not running:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/941090

Although it's labelled as for mail stuck in the Outbox, it also works in
other folders. If you don't know whether you have a 32-bit version
of Vista or a 64-bit version, try the 32-bit version of the hotfix first.
Certain common antivirus programs, such as most of those from
Norton or McAfee, tend to cause this and other problems in Windows
Mail, although seldom immediately, so if you have such a program,
remember where to find the hotfix and hope it will install again if you
need it again. A recent version of the Trend antivirus program also
causes assorted problems in Windows Mail.

Thanks for the help. As soon as I downloaded what you told me to do, I was
able to get rid of my deleted items

Your welcome. I'm glad to hear that your problem is fixed now. Thank
you for the feedback.

In Windows Mail, unknown errors and undeletable messages are often due
to interference from an antivirus program. What if any antivirus programs
do you have?

For a temporary fix, download and install this hotfix, with Windows Mail
not running:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/941090

Although it was written for mail stuck in the Outbox, it also works in
other folders. If you don't know whether you have a 32-bit version
of Vista or a 64-bit version, try the hotfix for the 32-bit version first.
The Vista SP1 update includes this hotfix and more, but takes longer
to install.

This will help show you how to fix the stuck undeletable email message
problem in Windows Mail for all folders.

The KB941090 update will just fix the problem for now. You must stop
the cause to prevent it from happening again. Read the "First" section
in this tutorial about antivirus programs to help prevent this from
happening again, then install the KB941090 Microsoft Update in the
"Second" section to fix the stuck message problem.

Download and install this hotfix, with Windows Mail not running:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/941090

Although it's labelled as for mail stuck in the Outbox, it also works in
other folders. If you don't know whether you have a 32-bit version
of Vista or a 64-bit version, try the hotfix for the 32-bit version first.
Certain common antivirus programs, such as most of those from
Norton or McAfee, tend to cause stuck messages and other problems
in Windows Mail, although seldom immediately, so if you have such a
program, remember where to find the hotfix and hope it will install
again if you need it again. A recent version of the Trend antivirus
program also causes assorted problems in Windows Mail.

The Vista SP1 update contains this hotfix and more, but takes longer
to install.

This will help show you how to fix the stuck undeletable email message
problem in Windows Mail for all folders.

The KB941090 update will just fix the problem for now. You must stop
the cause to prevent it from happening again. Read the "First" section
in this tutorial about antivirus programs to help prevent this from
happening again, then install the KB941090 Microsoft Update in the
"Second" section to fix the stuck message problem.

I also was able to delete an item I've had in my inbox for two months (and
hadn't been able to delete) thanks to the suggestion posted here.

This will help show you how to fix the stuck undeletable email message
problem in Windows Mail for all folders.

The KB941090 update will just fix the problem for now. You must stop
the cause to prevent it from happening again. Read the "First" section
in this tutorial about antivirus programs to help prevent this from
happening again, then install the KB941090 Microsoft Update in the
"Second" section to fix the stuck message problem.

This will help show you how to fix the stuck undeletable email message
problem in Windows Mail for all folders.

The KB941090 update will just fix the problem for now. You must stop
the cause to prevent it from happening again. Read the "First" section
in this tutorial about antivirus programs to help prevent this from
happening again, then install the KB941090 Microsoft Update in the
"Second" section to fix the stuck message problem.

Similar situation here but it's my deleted items folder where the problem
occurs. In drop down folder list, it's showing I have over 300 deleted
messages in the deleted items folder. Right clicking or going to the Edit
drop down to "empty the deleted folder" gives me the message of "An Unknown
Error Has Occurred". However, when I actually open the deleted items folder,
it appears totally empty!
I've checked out many of these discussion posts looking for a solution and
tried a few fixes but none work, not even the positive sounding advice from

Compact and repair the database, as there appears to be a mismatch. See
www.oehelp.com/WMUtil/

I was able to delete messages one at a time from the deleted folder by
clicking edit and then clicking "empty deleted items folder"