Windows Mail - Lost Folders for Archiving

[Chris Connolly]

I'm using Windows Mail that is "connected" to my Verizon account.
Months ago I created subfolders to archive older emails. I diligently moved
them into this folder. I also created another subfolder under the archived
folder as well.
I've had what I can only call "mysterious" issues where e-mails appear and
them moments later, they are gone from my inbox. I thought I had the issue
(simplistically) solved by diligently moving new items into the archive
folder immediately.
Now (12/26/09) those subfolders are gone. They are not under any other
folder in Windoes Mail. What is very odd (and there's quite a lot) is that I
did find a lot of them now back in my Inbox but not all.
The archived folders I created were under the Inbox folder as a subfolder.
I don't think this has anything to do with views.
Can someone help me figure out what might've happened?
Thanks!

 

[Gary VanderMolen \(MVP\)]

Which antivirus are you running? Some of them cause problems with
Windows Mail over time.

 

[Chris Connolly]

I'm using PC-cillin anti-virus software but I don't think this is the
culprit. On December 24th, I received and installed the called the
'Definition Update for Windows Defender KB915597' This is around the time
that things got 'messy'. Beforehand, all my e-mails and folders were intact.

 

[Gary VanderMolen \(MVP\)]

I'm sure the Windows Update thing was just a coincidence. No one
else has complained about that update.

Email scanning in any antivirus must be disabled, for reasons
explained here:
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm

If turning off the email scanning function does not resolve your problem,
do a trial uninstall of your antivirus. Be sure to reboot your computer
afterwards. If no improvement, you can always reinstall the antivirus.

Instead of uninstalling your antivirus, consider upgrading to Windows
Live Mail, because it is less prone to suffering bad effects from overly
aggressive antivirus programs. http://download.live.com/wlmail

 

[Chris Connolly]

Thanks for both "posters" for helping and giving me advice.

Will disabling the anti-virus or simply eliminating its scanning of e-mail
bring my old e-mails and subfolders back? Or are the gone? My guess is that
it won't because it simply doesn't make sense. But I'd like a confirmation.

If this does not bring them back, do you have any suggestions as to how I
could?

Thank you...

 

[Gary VanderMolen \(MVP\)]

Let's cross that bridge when we get to it.
There is a variety of more complex procedures that can be tried,
but it is best to do this one step at a time.
Which antivirus are you running? Some of them may need to be
uninstalled at least temporarily to eliminate bad effects.