Sheesh, I got them all back, with the help of MS online, and then went offline, deleted all duplicates, and cleaned up other messages, and NG posts, and then tried to Compact All Folders, but it wouldn't do all---window reported OE was being used by another program!

So, I compacted each folder, separately, went online, Refreshed Desk Top, and there were all the msgs in the Recycle Bin AGAIN! Is this what you're referring to as "copying" them?

I've never gone offline to compact or delete msgs before reading this recently. But, also never lost anything, either. LOL

MS tech said my v. of OE does not compact folders "behind" the scenes, so I'm grateful for that.

So, now shall I just delete what's in the Recycle Bin??? I'm a wreck and one-half...and blind to boot!

Thank YOU!