Your problem statement was very revealing. Norton is the culprit.
Windows Mail is not compatible with most
McAfee and Norton security programs. Those will need to be
uninstalled, NOT just disabled.
After uninstalling your non-compatible antivirus, download
and install a more compatible antivirus like:
AVG free edition:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0?prd=aff
or
Avast free edition:
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
With either of those, during the install phase you must select custom
install, and then deselect the email scanning option.
--
Gary VanderMolen, MS-MVP (WLMail)
"dkulow@xxxxxx" <dkulow@xxxxxx@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FDDB6A7E-0512-4265-A700-B8BC217525CF@xxxxxx
>I get a message that an unknown error has occured. when I try to delete
> permanently some messages, especially those with attached files. This also
> applies to some messages without large attached files....seems to be no
> consistant pattern. Have run full system check with norton--did not help.
> HELP someone--I am NOT a geek, just an old curmudgeon trying to use the
> technology...
> Thanks