An email deleted on impulse, then immediate regret: it's happened to everyone. In most cases, you can recover a deleted email in Outlook in just a few clicks, even if it's already been moved from the trash. Here's how.

1. Search in the Deleted Items folder

This is the first step to recovering a deleted email. In the folder list, open Deleted Items (or "Trash"). Locate the message, right-click on it, and choose Move > Other folder to move it back to your inbox.

2. Use "Recover deleted items"

If the message is no longer in Deleted Items, it may still be in the Recoverable Items, which is kept for a while by the server:

1. Select the Deleted Items folder .
2. Click on Recover Deleted Items (in the Folder menu of classic Outlook, or at the top of the list in the new Outlook).
3. Select the messages to restore, then confirm the recovery.

The restored items return to the Deleted Items folder, from where you can move them.

3. Take into account the shelf life

Your administrator sets the length of time a message remains recoverable, often around 14 to 30 days. After this period, recovery is no longer guaranteed. So act quickly.

4. Recover a deleted folder

Did you delete an entire folder? If it's still in Deleted Items, simply drag it back to its place in the folder list to restore it with all its messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to recover an email that has been permanently deleted?

As long as the server's retention period hasn't expired, the "Recover deleted items" option often allows you to retrieve them. Beyond that point, only an administrator with backups or retention policies can sometimes help.

Does this method work on all accounts?

Recovery from recoverable items primarily applies to Microsoft 365, Exchange, and Outlook.com accounts. IMAP and POP accounts are subject to their provider's rules.

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