How to fix "Operation cannot be performed because message has been changed" message. when using Outlook and Gmail.

Anonymous
2020-04-21T11:53:43+00:00

Over the last two years, I have been using Outlook 2013, now Office 365. I've been experiencing an ongoing issue where I receive this message "Operation cannot be performed because message has been changed" message.  Typical scenarios: 1) A new email arrives in my Outlook inbox. I preview, or read the email. I attempt to delete the email. Operation cannot... message appears.  I either type a new email, or reply to an email, go on to another task leaving the draft until later. When I return to the draft email, complete the email, and attempt to send the email, Operation cannot... message appears. I also cannot even save the draft, same error message. This is the worst part of this bug, as I've wasted/lost the time effort spent on the draft email.

I have run the Office repair utilities. I have tried unchecking the email cleanup boxes, and a variety of fixes recommended on these Microsoft answers communities. I've noticed sometimes when I come back to a message, it does allow me to move/delete the message. It's like there's a sync issue that needs time to resolve. However, nothing appears to work when a draft message gets hung in this loop. I have to start over with a new reply email.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-04-21T16:42:46+00:00

    PS, There is no >more settings under account settings. 

    Options are: 

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-04-22T07:50:13+00:00

    Hi KeithLwood,

    In terms of the google account setting:

    1. In Outlook 2016/2019, navigate to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
    2. Select the IMAP account and click Change (or double-click the IMAP account name)
    3. Enter INBOX in the Root folder path field

    You will see the window below:

    Put INBOX in Root Folder Path, type the "INBOX".

    Yours Sincerely,

    George

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-22T14:02:32+00:00

    Thank you for the information, but I should have been more clear in stating my concerns. I don't understand the part about "(If your all folders disappear, simply remove INBOX from here)"

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-11T19:14:42+00:00

    This happens to me when I save and reopen an email out of drafts. I discovered a "work around": open the email to edit, delete the saved copy in drafts. Finish editing, hit send.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-07-15T02:09:30+00:00

    I have the same issue with IMAP accounts (not GMail)

    I too have tried the email cleanup fix, adding INBOX to the Root Folder path, deleting the user profile and account. Nothing seems to fix it.

    The issue only occurs with Office 365/Outlook 2016 and not Outlook 2013.

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