# Outlook express question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 17, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-question/229704 "2004-02-17T21:03:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kookiecanuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e495f1/32.png) [@kookiecanuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kookiecanuck)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-question/229704/1 "2004-02-17T21:03:40Z")
Next to my INBOX folder it says that I have 15 unread messages (blue number) yet inbox is empty. How can I delete the invisible messages? Thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-question/229704/2 "2004-02-17T21:20:48Z")
Go to the **View** menu, select **Current View** and click on **Show All Messages**. This _should_ make them all show up. ---
**Author:** ![kookiecanuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e495f1/32.png) [@kookiecanuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kookiecanuck)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-question/229704/3 "2004-02-18T05:36:59Z")
Still no luck. Should I just un-install and re-install? ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-question/229704/4 "2004-02-18T13:32:14Z")
Creating a new identity by going to **File|Identities|Add New Identity** should fix the problem. You can then import any mail and addresses from your old one. ---
**Author:** ![fluoextinchcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b2d939/32.png) [@fluoextinchcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluoextinchcl)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-question/229704/5 "2004-02-20T11:36:10Z")
You did not mention if you are using a version of Windows XP. If you are indeed having this problem in XP Home or Professional, Outlook Express might be reporting an incorrect unread message count stored within the operating system itself. You can use Microsoft’s **TweakUI** Power Toy to reset an incorrect unread message count. [Powertoy Download page](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp) ([microsoft.com](http://microsoft.com)). Disclaimer: The power toys are unsupported both by Microsoft, and especially by me. Most of them can do unrecoverable damage to your computer’s software if used incorrectly. Use at your own risk. After downloading and installing TweakUI for Windows XP, start the program: Press _Start_, choose _All Programs_ then _Powertoys for Windows XP_ then _TweakUI for Windows XP_. The bottom option in the left hand tree is Repair. Choose it. On the right hand panel a drop down list will appear. Pick _Repair unread mail count_ from the list. Press the _Repair Now_ button. Close TweakUI and restart your computer. I hope this works for you. ---
**Author:** ![fluoextinchcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b2d939/32.png) [@fluoextinchcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluoextinchcl)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-question/229704/6 "2004-02-20T11:39:07Z")
The download link provided above is the TweakUI for XP _PROFESSIONAL_ Edition. [This one](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/downloads/default.asp) is for XP _Home_ Edition. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-express-question/229704/7 "2004-02-20T15:21:55Z")
Note: you may have to have at least one unread message to do this. (Just send an email to yourself.) Click **Edit** , then **Mark All Read**. I think that should do it.