To recover deleted Outlook emails, follow these steps:
-
Go to the Deleted Items folder: In the left pane of Outlook, locate and select the "Deleted Items" folder. This is where emails are initially moved when you delete them.
-
Recover items from this folder: At the top of the message list within the "Deleted Items" folder, you should see an option that says something like "Recover items deleted from this folder" or "Recover items recently removed from this folder." Click on this link.
-
Select and Restore: A new window will appear, displaying a list of emails that can be recovered. Select the checkboxes next to the emails you wish to retrieve. Once you've made your selections, click the "Restore" button (or a similarly labeled button like "Recover").
These recovered emails will then be moved back to their original folders. If the original folder no longer exists, they'll typically be moved to your Inbox.
Important Considerations:
-
Retention Period: Microsoft typically has a retention period for deleted items. After this period (often around 14-30 days for items deleted from the "Deleted Items" folder), the emails are permanently removed and cannot be recovered through the standard "Recover items deleted from this folder" option.
-
Administrator Policies: In organizational settings, administrators may have policies that affect the retention and recovery of deleted emails. Contact your IT department if you are unable to recover emails using the steps above.
-
Permanent Deletion: If you've permanently deleted an email (e.g., by emptying the "Deleted Items" folder), recovery may not be possible through the standard Outlook interface. In such cases, you may need to contact your IT administrator for assistance, as they might have backup systems that can be used for recovery.
-
Outlook on the Web vs. Desktop App: The process is similar in both the Outlook desktop application and Outlook on the web. The wording might vary slightly, but the general steps remain the same. Look for the "Deleted Items" folder and the option to "Recover items deleted from this folder" within that folder.
