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Why do messages I have deleted in an IMAP have a strikethrough in the header?

This method applies to Outlook 2000, 2002/XP, 2003 and 2007.

When you mark an item on an IMAP e-mail server for deletion, it is displayed in strikethrough text in the header list. To permanently delete the items marked for deletion, do the following:

Purge IMAP items marked for deletion

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Click on Edit from the menu.

    Outlook 2007:         

    3. Outlook 2003:         purge IMAP items for deletion - Outlook 2003

    Outlook 2002/XP:   purge IMAP items for deletion - Outlook 2002/XP

    Outlook 2000:        purge IMAP items for deletion - Outlook 2000

  3. Click on Purge Deleted Messages.
  4. Click on Yes. Now all the deleted messages are gone.

Note   If you do not purge deleted items periodically, you might reach and exceed the allotted disk space on your e-mail account. If you exceed your allotted disk space, you will not receive any new messages and will not be able to send any messages.

Updated: 12/11/2006