We’ve all done it once or twice — we’ll have a message stuck in the Outbox because it’s too large for Outlook to send. Deleting it doesn’t work – Outlook returns an error because the message is being processed by the MAPI spooler.
Use Desktop Search
You can use the Start menu’s Search field to find and delete messages stuck in the Outbox. You need to close Outlook to delete the message, so it’s no easier than setting Outlook to work offline, just an alternate method you can use.
However, in a preliminary test, it appears that this method might work to delete messages from a large pst file that errors when you try to delete the items from within Outlook.
To use, close Outlook then type outbox or store:mapi outbox in the search field. Wait for search to finish then find the message and delete. Messages deleted using this method bypass the Deleted Items folder and are permanently deleted.
Work Offline
In most cases, you can delete the stuck message if you set Outlook offline using the File, Offline menu. Wait about five minutes or so for the mail spooler process to shut down or close Outlook and reopen. Go to the Outbox and delete the message then put Outlook back online using the File, Offline menu.
In Outlook 2010, Work Offline is on the Send & Receive ribbon. The screenshot shows the default setting of On. When Outlook is Offline, the button is highlighted in orange.
If your version of Outlook doesn’t include a Work Offline command, disconnect from the Internet or disable the network card in the Control Panel, Network.
This is one time when patience is a definite virtue – make sure you give Outlook time to stop processing the message before trying to delete it. A very large message may require longer than 5 minutes to stop processing.
Alternate Method
If you are unable to delete the message while in offline mode or cannot go into offline mode, you’ll need to change your default delivery location.
- Add a new PST using the File, New, Outlook Data File menu.
- Open the Email Accounts dialog on the Tools menu.
- Select view or Change existing email accounts and click Next.
- Select the new personal folders file from the Deliver new email to the following location list.
- Click Finish and restart Outlook.
Browse to the old message store, delete the message from the Outbox and repeat steps 2 – 5 to restore the original PST as the default delivery location and close the new PST.
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Last reviewed on Mar 28, 2012
Thank you . the first suggestion works!!
Thank you so much–Search method worked like a charm and now I dont have that annoying message stuck there!!
OK, I deleted the message stuck in the outbox, but now I can’t bring up my Outlook. What do I do to get it back?
Which method did you use to delete the stuck message? What happens when you try to open Outlook?
I used the first method, “Use Desktop Search” and it worked quickly. I have been trying to delete the large message for days. Thank you……..thank you…..
I used the Desktop search, and it work great. Thank you so much.
The first suggestion worked perfectly! Thanks!!!
first method worked! thanks!!
Set to work off line, shut down outlook then delete file worked great
Thanks
nice one, thx!!
Thanks, only the “Work Offline” step worked for me, the message was 18mb and I only managed to delete it after about 15 minutes.
Wow. A minute per meg. Thanks for sharing.
The work offline method worked for me thanks