How to delete messages stuck in Outbox

Microsoft Outlook is moving mail to the Outbox folder before sending it. Sometimes, messages get stuck in the Outbox. No operations can be done because Outlook claims the message is currently in use. There are 3 methods to send it.

Step 1.

Open the message from the Outbox and close it. Now, click Send once again.

Step 2.

Second way is to switch Microsoft Outlook to Offline mode. (Fig. 1.)

Fig. 1. Switching Microsoft Outlook to Offline.

Next, you need to restart Microsoft Outlook. Remember to get back to Online mode. You should be able to send messages.

Step 3.

The last way is to create a new PST file, because the primary could be corrupted. You can do it in File/New/Outlook data file. (Fig. 2.)

Fig. 2. Creating the new PST file.

Next, set this PST file as a default data file in Tool/Account settings/Data Files tab (Fig. 3.)

Fig. 3. Setting the newly created PST file as a default storage in Outlook.

After restarting Outlook, your original pst-file will be visible as the secondary set of folders. Once the messages in the Outbox are in the secondary pst file, you should be able to sent messages from the Outbox.