[SOLVED] The operation cannot be performed because the message has been modified.

If you're a marketer utilizing Windows 10 and Outlook, you've most likely encountered the error message "The operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed". This can be quite irritating, especially when you're attempting to send a crucial email. This post will delve into the reasons behind this issue and provide solutions to resolve it. Keep reading! - from Microsoft Community

Could you please provide the text that needs to be translated into English?

Error - The operation cannot be performed because the message has been modified.

"When attempting to move an email to a folder, I frequently encounter the following message. This occurs even though I have made no changes to the email except for reading it. The issue seems to resolve if I close the message or switch to another email and then try to move the original message again."

"The operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed"

The error "the operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed" typically arises when a user attempts to edit or delete a message that has already been altered or removed by another user. This can occur in a shared mailbox or public folder scenario, where two users try to modify the same email concurrently.

Fixes - The Operation Cannot Be Performed Because the Message Has Been Altered

To rectify the error, the user should first refresh the mailbox view and attempt the operation once more. Should the issue persist, kindly follow the steps detailed below. Prior to attempting these solutions, it is advised to back up Outlook emails from the browser beforehand.

• 0:00 The operation cannot be performed because the message has been modified
• 0:20 Create a backup
• 0:56 Disable conversation cleanup options

Method 1: Disable Conversation Clean Up Options

If you encounter the error message "the operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed," it is probable that you have enabled the conversation cleanup settings in your email configuration. This feature might lead to an error when attempting to move or delete a message that has already been removed by the conversation cleanup process. To resolve this issue, you will need to disable the conversation cleanup options in your email settings. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Open Microsoft Outlook. Navigate to "File" then "Options."

Step 2. Choose "Mail" from the left panel.

Step 3. Scroll down and uncheck the "When a reply modifies a message, don't move the original" option.

Step 4. Click "OK" and restart Outlook.

Translation:

This option should be disabled to prevent the "the operation cannot be performed because the message has been modified" error from occurring.

Method 2: Run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant Tool

Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant is a complimentary tool from Microsoft designed to assist in diagnosing and resolving various Outlook issues automatically. This utility can come in handy when Outlook is not functioning correctly or when encountering problems like the "operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed" error. To utilize the Microsoft SARA tool, follow these steps:

Step 1. Download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant from the official Microsoft website by visiting this link.

Step 2. Run Microsoft SARA and select "Outlook," then click "Next."

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions on your PC to resolve the issue: "The operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed."

Once the repair process is complete, restart Outlook and attempt to access the message again.

Method 3: Remove Third-Party Add-Ins to Fix Outlook Errors

If you continue to encounter the "the operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed" error in Microsoft Outlook, it is probably caused by a third-party add-in that is no longer compatible with the application. To resolve this issue, you will need to uninstall any installed third-party add-ins. Here's the process:

Step 1. Open Office 365 and sign in to your account.

Step 2. Navigate to "Account Settings > Options > Add-Ins > Go."

Step 3. Click the checkbox to remove "Adobe Send & Track for Microsoft Outlook - Acrobat."

Step 4. Click "OK" to confirm your actions.

If eliminating the third-party add-in doesn't resolve the issue, you might need to repair or reinstall Microsoft Outlook. To learn how to proceed with this, please continue reading.

Method 4: Repair Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft 365 is a versatile application suite that serves various purposes, from crafting presentations to managing emails. However, you might sometimes encounter an error message saying, "The operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed." Typically, resolving this issue can be achieved by repairing Microsoft 365.

Step 1. Close all running Microsoft applications.

Step 2. Open "Control Panel > Programs and Features".

Step 3. Right-click on the Microsoft 365 icon, and then choose "Change." From there, select "Quick Repair" followed by "Repair." Once the repair process is complete, restart Outlook.

Following the Outlook repair process, reopen the email to check if the error has been resolved.

Method 5: Check and Disable Email Scanning Step 1: Access Your Security Software Settings Locate and open your antivirus or email security software, then navigate to its settings or configuration menu. Step 2: Locate Email Protection or Scanning Options Within the settings, search for options related to email protection, email scanning, or email filtering. This may be under "Protection," "Scans," or "Features." Step 3: Disable Email Scanning Once you've found the relevant setting, disable or turn off the email scanning feature. Be cautious as this might leave your emails unprotected from potential threats. Step 4: Save Changes and Restart Software After disabling the email scanning, save the changes you made and restart your email client or security software for the changes to take effect. Step 5: Test Email Functionality Send a test email to yourself or someone else to confirm that the email scanning issue has been resolved and emails are sending correctly. Remember to re-enable email scanning after troubleshooting, as it's an important security measure to protect against malware and other threats.

If you encounter the error "the operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed," try disabling the email scanning feature of your antivirus software.

1. Open your antivirus software. 2. In the settings or options, disable the feature that says "Scan Outbound Mail (SMTP)." 3. Click "OK" to save the changes.

Recover/Repair Corrupted Outlook Files in Windows 11/10/8/7

If your Outlook stops working and PST files become damaged, you'll need to use a PST file repair tool like Fixo Document Repair to assist you.

This Office repair tool effectively repairs damaged or corrupted JPEG/JPG photos on your hard drive, SD card, and memory card, as well as fixes all corrupt, damaged, and broken MP4 and MOV videos. To recover and repair Outlook files, follow the steps below.

Conclusion

If you encounter the error "The operation cannot be performed because the message has been changed," there are several steps you can take to resolve it. These include disabling conversation cleanup options, running the Microsoft SARA tool, removing third-party add-ins, repairing Microsoft Office, or checking and disabling email scanning. If none of these work, you can attempt to recover or repair damaged Outlook files in Windows 11/10/8/7.

FAQs: The Operation Cannot Be Performed

If you'd like further assistance, please read through the related questions and answers.

1. How do you resolve the issue "The action can't be completed because the file is open?"

Here are the steps to resolve the issue: "The action can't be completed because the file is open" 1. Close the File: - Check which program or application has the file open. Look for any open windows or icons in your taskbar that might be related to the file. - Right-click on the program's icon and select "Close" or "Exit." Alternatively, you can use the Task Manager (press Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to end the process associated with the file. 2. Save and Close All Related Documents: - If the file is open within a specific program (like a word processor or spreadsheet), ensure you save any unsaved changes and then click on "File" > "Save" or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+S. - Next, click on "File" > "Close" or use the keyboard shortcut Alt+F4 to close the file. 3. Restart Your Computer: - Sometimes, restarting your computer can resolve issues where a file remains open in the background, even if it's not visible. 4. Use File Explorer's File Locking Feature: - In Windows, press Win+E to open File Explorer. - Navigate to the location of the file. - Right-click on the file, choose "Properties," and then go to the "General" tab. - If the file is in use, you might see a button labeled "End Process" or "Unlock." Click it to release the file. 5. Check for Malware or viruses: - A malicious program could be locking the file. Run a full system scan using your antivirus software to ensure your system is clean. 6. Take Ownership of the File: - Press Win+E to open File Explorer. - Navigate to the file, right-click on it, and select "Properties." - Go to the "Security" tab, then click on "Advanced." - Click "Change" next to "Owner" and select your user account. - Check the "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" box, then click "Apply" and "OK." - Now, go back to the "Security" tab, click "Edit," and grant yourself full permissions. 7. Use Third-Party Tools: - There are third-party applications designed to identify and close locked files, such as Process Explorer by Microsoft Sysinternals. Download and use one of these tools to force-close the file. After trying these steps, you should be able to complete the action without encountering the error message. If the problem persists, consider seeking further assistance from technical support or online forums specific to your operating system.

• Run File Locksmith
• Stop Processes using Task Manager
• Empty the Recycle Bin and Restart
• Restart Windows Explorer
• Delete Temporary Files

2. Why am I receiving an 'operation failed' message in Outlook?

When a user with "full access" permissions and "send as" privileges for the mailbox attempts to edit and save a saved email message, they encounter the following error: "The operation cannot be performed because the message has been modified."

3. How do I resolve conflicts in Outlook?

You can address Outlook conflicts in the following ways:

• Disable Conversation Clean Up Options
• Check and Disable Email Scanning
• Run Microsoft SARA Tool
• Remove Third-party Add-Ins
• Repair Microsoft Office