Outlook Cannot Delete IMAP Email

Question

My Outlook file is a google IMAP account and I automatically download pictures based on the domain name. I cannot delete these files and receive the following message:

![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/ba30cb0d-dd97-4f1e-9648-2a77782b52b6?platform=QnA

Answer 1

Hello , Paul Mayerowitz

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

Apparently there's something wrong with the Outlook app. Here are the things you can do:

1. In the folder list, right-click the Deleted Itemsfolder or the Trashfolder, and then select Empty Folder. Restart Outlook and try again.
2. Try to delete these messages again by pressing Shift+Delete or Shift+. This can bypass the Deleted Items folder and permanently delete a message, but you won’t have an opportunity to change your mind later and recover the message.
3. Update or repair Office. Detailed steps can be found in Install Office updates (microsoft.com) and Repair an Office application (microsoft.com)
4. Use Outlook mailbox cleanup tool. Detailed steps can be found in Manage my mailbox size (microsoft.com)
5. Repair Outlook Data Files. Detailed steps can be found in Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost) (microsoft.com)
6. Open Outlook in safe mode and try again. To open Outlook in safe mode, right-click the Startbutton, and click Run. Type **Outlook.exe /safe,**and click OK.

**Tip:**If Windows can't find Outlook.exe /safe, try using the full path to Outlook (for example C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX, where XX is your version number).

If the problem still can't be fixed, please let me know, and I'll figure out another workaround.

Best Regard,

Yuhao Li| Microsoft Community Support Specialist