Question:

I did a search for an email message (edit>> Find>> Message) and found it to be "invisibly" in my inbox. When I went directly in to my inbox, it was not there. I then did another search for the same email message and was able to move it to a folder that I could see it in. I am wondering how many other emails there are that are invisibly in my inbox and how I can fix this issue?

Answer:

It seems that your inbox.dbx file has become corrupt. A fix for this would be to create a new Inbox.dbx file (instructions below). The problem with this is, in your case, is that you will most certainly lose any email messages that are residing there. You can try working with your Store folder to see if you can retrieve any messages before creating an new inbox folder, here's how:

1. Open Outlook Express and open the desired identity.

Note: Each identity has its own Store folders

2. Go to Tools>> Options>> Maintenance tab>> Store Folder button.
3. Once you click the Store folder button, you will need to copy the entire path of your store folder. To do this, hold your cursor next to the beginning of the text string. Left click and hold the click and drag your cursor to the end of the text string. The entire path should now be highlighted. Now, press CTRL + C on your keyboard to copy the text string.
4. Close Outlook Express
5. Go to Start>> Run. Press CTRL + V on your keyboard.
6. Press Enter on your keyboard.
7. All folders for the selected identity will now be shown.

To create a new Inbox.dbx file:

1. Go to Start>> Programs>> Accessories>> Windows Explorer
2. In Windows Explorer, go to the Tools menu and select Find>> Files and Folders. Be sure to include hidden files and folders in your search.
3. In the 'Named' box, type in: inbox.dbx
4. Right click the file and select 'rename'
5. Rename the file to inbox.old
6. Restart Outlook Express.

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