Note: This tip contains information for tweaking the Windows Registry. Be sure that you make a backup copy of the registry prior to making any changes in the event you should make an editing error.
1. Go to Start
2. Select Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK
3. Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\unreadmail
4. Single left click the entry titled: unreadmail. This will empty its contents in to the right pane
5. Double click the value message count in the right pane
6. Change the Value data to 0 (zero)
7. Exit the Windows Registry.