Fixing “The operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed”

Situation: When working on Outlook, you may receive this message “The operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed” randomly.

Resolution 1: Run Outlook repair. Go to File>Account Settings>Repair.

You canĀ use the Inbox Repair tool (SCANPST.EXE) to diagnose and repair errors in your Outlook data file.

Resolution 2: Run office online repair.

Resolution 3: Try running the SARA Tool: https://diagnostics.outlook.com/#/

Resolution 4: It could be add-ins issue. Go to Outlook add-in Adobe Send & Track for Microsoft Outlook – Acrobat. Disabling it.

Resolution 5: Enable Exchange cached mode.

Resolution 6: That happens because you may have a large email size so that you must wait a moment for the sync completed.

Resolution 7: This seems to be a problem only with IMAP accounts.

I fixed my problem on the IMAP account (which, ahem, started after a Microsoft update) by using Outlook’s “repair” tool:

– In Outlook, right click on the mailbox in the left-side navigation bar.

– Choose “Account Properties.”

– In a blue toolbar about 1/3 of the way down the window, “Repair” is one of the choices.

– Click Repair. It only took about 5 seconds.

If you move the emails and receive this popup,

  1. Open Outlook > File > Options > Mail > Under Conversation Clean up, Uncheck When a reply modifies a message, don’t move the original > Restart Outlook (it is is already unchecked, check it Restart Outlook, Uncheck it and Restart Outlook)

2. If above doesn’t work, uncheck all options under Conversation Clean Up

3. Account Settings > Open your account > More settings > Under Advanced tab, put INBOX in Root Folder Path. (If your all folders disappear, simply remove INBOX from here). Note: Do NOT use option # 3 above.  With an IMAP account this will empty an entire folder!  Really, REALLY dumb suggestion that cost me a ton of data!

4. Select Cleaned up items will go to this folder.

This is a known issue with IMAP accounts. The change (read state) needs to sync with the server before you can move it, which only takes a split second, but outlook keeps a hold on the message until you switch messages.

Published by

Bob Lin

Bob Lin, Chicagotech-MVP, MCSE & CNE Data recovery, Windows OS Recovery, Networking, and Computer Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net How to Install and Configure Windows, VMware, Virtualization and Cisco on http://www.HowToNetworking.com