I set up a rule in Outlook to move messages to a folder. As a test, I set it up to move messages from ME to that folder, and sent myself a message. The folder indicates an unread message - previously the folder was empty - but when I open the folder, my message isn't in there. I try it again. Now the folder shows TWO unread messages, and again, there's nothing in it.

I can't access the message I sent myself. What is going on?

It's now the following week, and the folder still shows two unread messages. When I open the folder, it's empty. This can't be Working As Designed, so I presume it's a bug.

Who do I report this to?? It would be a really nice feature, if it worked.

Thanks!

Check whether there is a filter on the folder.

There is no filter. The feature just doesn't work.

Did it work for you when you followed my steps? Or do rules like this just not work?

PS. Reporting this bug to Microsoft has been an exercise in frustration. There is no easy way to do that, unless I'm missing something. If you know how, please advise. Thanks

Mystery apparently solved...or not. My company switched to Microsoft Office 365 - the online version of Outlook - and then downloads the mail to the Desktop version of Outlook. Apparently the old functionality of Desktop Outlook isn't there with Office 365. The features stopped working with the mail server switch.

I have no idea why that is - once mail is in Outlook, you would think Outlook would know what to do with it, right? I mean, the source of email has nothing whatsoever to do with the functionality of a desktop application. (???) Unless my logic is skewed. For example, it also doesn't work when you create Search Folders either - and these are already in the Inbox. The Search Folder shows the number of messages supposedly in the folder, but when you open the folder, nothing is there.

Anyway, the IT team is looking into it to see if there's a workaround. If anyone else ran across this and knows what to do, please advise. Thanks

It turns out that Niton is correct - there was a filter. However, it was a filter I removed, but which it turns out WILL NOT go away.

I clear out the filters (again and again, with and without IT watching me), but the instant I create a new search folder, the filter returns. The filter dialog is blank before I create the search folder, but after I create the search folder and go in to look, the filter is back. I can't kill it.

Is there a switch somewhere other than the View > View Settings > Filter dialog that controls this??

Thanks!

If nothing else works then try the command line switch /cleanviews

"Restores default views. All custom views that you created are lost."

https://support.office.microsoft.com...rs=en-CA&ad=CA