When disconnected, can you move the file to "drafts"? If so, then delete it from there.
When disconnected, try holding down Shift and pressing delete.
Another approach:
Load Outlook in its safe mode ("outlook.exe /safe"). This ensures:
- No plug-ins get loaded that might touch the item.
- Loading Outlook in offline mode means it won't touch the stuck item.
Delete the stuck item in the Outbox folder.
Put Outlook in online mode (File -> Work Offline: disable).
If you restarted Outlook in its safe mode, exit and restart Outlook for normal operation.
If it's Outlook Express, in OE Tools>Options> Maint tab "store folders" note the location. Go to this location and find the outbox. Delete the .dbx file that goes with it. It will recreate itself on restarting OE.
SD