I have allowed my sent folder to get too big. I cannot however move or
delete any of the messages out of my sent folder. The Delete button does not
work nor can I move them to a history folder.

Follow the instructions below for Deleted Items. If the problem is not
solved, you will have to repeat it for Sent Items, however is losing all the
messages an option? If not, you can try to back them up first.

Backup & Resto
http://www.insideoe.com/backup/

If you don't care about losing them, just go ahead and repeat this for Sent
Items.

Tools | Options | Maintenance | Store folder will reveal the location of
your Outlook Express files. Press the Tab key to highlight the folder
location, then Ctrl+C. Close OE, then Start | Run | Ctrl+V will put the
location in the box - Click OK and you'll see the OE files. Otherwise, write
the location down and navigate to it in Windows Explorer.

In WindowsXP, 2K & 3K, the OE user files (DBX and WAB) are by default marked
as hidden. To view these files in Explorer, you must enable Show Hidden
Files and Folders under Start | Control Panel | Folder Options | View.

With OE closed, find the DBX file for the folder in question {Deleted
Items.dbx} and delete it. A new one will be created automatically when you
open OE.

Do not archive mail in default OE folders. They will eventually become
corrupt. Create your own user defined folders for storing mail and move your
mail to them. Empty Deleted Items folder regularly. Keep user created
folders under 100MB, and Default folders as empty as is feasible.

After 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.

In Tools | Options | Maintenance: Uncheck Compact messages in background and
leave it unchecked. {N/A if running XP/SP2}.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"KBAR" wrote in message
news
I have allowed my sent folder to get too big. I cannot however move or
delete any of the messages out of my sent folder. The Delete button does
not
work nor can I move them to a history folder.