---
title: "How do I move emails or a folder in Outlook to another mailbox and how to resolve error \"Cannot move the items\""
description: "Tip: If you are moving many emails or folders, it is recommended to use Outlook on the Web instead. Tip: You can also drag and drop emails or a folder to its new location as well although there is a h"
---

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# How do I move emails or a folder in Outlook to another mailbox and how to resolve error "Cannot move the items"

**Tip**: If you are moving many emails or folders, it is recommended to use [Outlook on the Web](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/outlook-move-email-folder#web) instead.

**Tip:** You can also drag and drop emails or a folder to its new location as well although there is a higher chance you will accidentally move them to the wrong location. The right-click method below is more reliable.

### Contents

- [Moving emails and folders in Outlook Desktop](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/outlook-move-email-folder#desktop)
- [Moving emails and folders in Outlook on the Web](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/outlook-move-email-folder#web)
- [Resolve "Cannot move the items"](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/outlook-move-email-folder#cannot-move)

---

### Moving emails and folders in Outlook Desktop

**Note:** The mailbox you are moving the emails or folder to needs to be in Outlook Desktop before you can continue. Raise a support ticket if you do not have access and require access for your role.

1. Select the emails or folder you wish to move 
     1. Select multiple emails in the same folder by holding down CTRL while selecting each one
     2. Alternatively select the first email, hold down SHIFT, then select the last email.
2. Right-click the selected emails or folder
3. For emails, choose **Move \> Other Folder**; for a folder choose **Move Folder** 
     1. Alternatively you can copy by selecting **Copy to Folder** (emails) or **Copy Folder** (folder)
4. Select the mailbox/folder you wish to move the emails or folder to. 
     1. Shared mailboxes are typically found underneath your primary account. Scroll down to find.
5. Select **OK**

---

### Moving emails and folders in Outlook on the Web

**[outlook.office.com](https://outlook.office.com)**

1. Shared mailboxes are not in the web version by default so ensure the shared mailbox is added first: 
     1. **[How do I view and add a shared mailbox to Outlook on the Web? \>](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/how-do-i-view-a-shared-mailbox-to-outlook-on-the-web?hsLang=en#add-to-own-mailbox)**
     2. Once added, reload the Outlook on the Web webpage
2. Select the emails or folder you wish to move  
     1. Select multiple emails in the same folder by holding down CTRL while selecting each one.
     2. Alternatively select the first email, hold down SHIFT, then select the last email.
     3. Once you've selected more than one email, you will see a selection box at the top on the left of the containing folder's name. Select that box to select all the emails in that folder.
3. Right-click the selected emails or folder
4. Select **Move**
5. Select the mailbox/folder you wish to move the emails or folder to. 
     1. Shared mailboxes are typically found at the bottom of this list. Scroll down to find.
6. Select **Move**

---

### **Resolve error "Cannot move the items"**

> *Cannot move the items. The message being sent exceeds the message size established for this user.*

The cause is likely because 1 or more emails contain attachments which exceed the mail size limit. To resolve:

1. **[Search and remove large attachments in Outlook Desktop \>](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/outlook-online-archiving?hsLang=en#large-attachments)** 
     1. Search for attachments that are 20,480 kilobytes (20 megabytes) or larger
2. **[Saving and removing attachments from emails \>](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/email-limits?hsLang=en#deleting-attachments)**
3. Try moving the email or email folder again.

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