Outlook: Recover Deleted Emails

Overview

Accidentally deleted an important email? Microsoft Outlook allows you to restore messages from your Deleted Items folder. In some cases, you can also recover messages that have already been removed from that folder.

This article explains how to recover deleted emails in Outlook for Windows, Mac, the web, and mobile devices.

Important: Deleted emails are only recoverable for a limited time, so it's best to attempt recovery as soon as possible.

1. Restore Emails from Deleted Items

When you delete an email in Outlook, it is normally moved to the Deleted Items folder.

These steps work in most versions of Outlook.

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. In the folder list on the left, select Deleted Items.
  3. Locate the message you want to restore.
  4. Right-click the message and select Move, or use the Move option on the toolbar.
  5. Select Inbox or another folder where you want the message restored.

You can also drag a message from Deleted Items into another folder.

Tip: If you cannot find the email, use Outlook's search bar to search for the sender, subject, or keywords.

2. Recover Emails Removed from Deleted Items

If an email is no longer in your Deleted Items folder, it may still be available in Outlook's Recoverable Items area.

Outlook on the Web and New Outlook for Windows

  1. Open Outlook on the web or the new Outlook application.
  2. Sign in with your Cedar Crest College Microsoft 365 account if prompted.
  3. Select Deleted Items from the folder list.
  4. At the top of the message list, select Recover items deleted from this folder.
  5. Find the email you want to recover.
  6. Select the checkbox next to the message.
  7. Select Restore.
  8. Return to your mailbox and locate the restored message.

Recovered messages generally return to their original folders when those folders still exist. Otherwise, they may be restored to your Inbox or another default folder.

Classic Outlook for Windows

  1. Open classic Outlook.
  2. Make sure Outlook is connected to Microsoft 365 and is not working offline.
  3. Select Deleted Items from the folder list.
  4. On the Home tab, select Recover Deleted Items From Server.
  5. Locate and select the messages you want to recover.
  6. Select Restore Selected Items.
  7. Select OK.

Recovered messages may first return to your Deleted Items folder. If so, move them to your Inbox or another folder.

Note: If the recovery option is unavailable, use Outlook on the web or submit an IT support request.

Outlook for Mac

If a message is still in Deleted Items, you can move it back to your Inbox using Outlook for Mac.

For messages that have already been removed from Deleted Items, use Outlook on the web:

  1. Open outlook.office.com.
  2. Select Deleted Items.
  3. Select Recover items deleted from this folder.
  4. Select the messages you want to recover.
  5. Select Restore.

3. Recover Deleted Emails on a Mobile Device

The Outlook mobile app for iPhone and Android allows you to restore messages that are still in your Deleted Items folder.

  1. Open the Outlook app.
  2. Open the folder navigation menu.
  3. Select Deleted Items.
  4. Find and open the message you want to restore.
  5. Select the three-dot (...) menu.
  6. Choose Move to Folder.
  7. Select Inbox or another destination.

Note: If the message has already been removed from Deleted Items, use Outlook on the web from a desktop or laptop computer to access additional recovery options.

4. Recover a Deleted Email Folder

If you accidentally deleted an entire email folder:

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Expand Deleted Items in the folder list.
  3. Look for the deleted folder.
  4. If it is present, right-click the folder and select Move Folder, or drag it to the desired location.

If the folder is no longer in Deleted Items, you may be able to recover individual messages using the procedures in Section 2.

Permanently deleted folders generally cannot be restored as complete folders through Outlook's standard recovery tools.

5. What if the Email Cannot Be Recovered?

If you cannot find the email in Deleted Items or Recoverable Items:

  1. Verify that you are checking the correct mailbox.
  2. Search for the sender or subject in Outlook.
  3. Check your Archive, Junk Email, and other mail folders.
  4. Check whether an Inbox Rule moved the message.
  5. Submit an IT support request if the message is still missing.

Important: Not all deleted messages can be recovered. Once the applicable retention period expires, the message may be permanently deleted.

Need Assistance?

If you are unable to recover a deleted email using the instructions above, please submit an IT support request.

Submit an IT Support Request

When submitting your request, please include:

  • The approximate date the email was deleted.
  • The sender's email address, if known.
  • The subject or description of the missing email.
  • Whether you have already checked Deleted Items and Recoverable Items.

Important: Deleted emails are only recoverable for a limited time. Submit your request as soon as possible to improve the chances of recovery.

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