Recover Deleted Outlook Emails – Elegant Solutions for Data Recovery!

Microsoft Outlook has become the backbone for many industries’ communication arena. With its extensive set of features and capabilities, it is undoubtedly the best email client, especially for desktop Windows users. Sometimes, users lose their data in Outlook due to deletion or other factors, and it is quite difficult to recover deleted Outlook items.

In this precise walkthrough, we will break down this problem and provide you with highly recommended methods for Outlook email recovery efficiently.

Know the Various Data Loss Scenarios!

There are many scenarios where the user might need to recover deleted Outlook emails or other data. Also, Outlook data can be lost in multiple ways. It can be either a partial loss within the Outlook database or a complete loss of the Outlook data file (PST). Below are some data loss user scenarios:

• Someone deletes the data items Outlook purposely or accidentally
• Data File (PST) is lost/deleted from the system.
• Data File (PST) becomes corrupted/inaccessible.
• Some Folders are missing in Outlook.

Each scenario requires a different solution. We have discussed them in the section below.

Understanding the Prominent Solutions to Recover Deleted Outlook Emails

To retrieve lost/deleted data items in the Outlook platform, you can use any of the given methods:

#Solution 1. Outlook Email Recovery from Deleted Items Folder

When you delete any data item in Outlook, it goes into the Deleted Items folder. The items in this folder are easily recoverable if you use the following procedure:

• Run the MS Outlook email client. Go to the folder list and click on the Deleted Items folder.
• Choose the message that you want to recover, and right-click to select Move > Other folder.
• Select the folder where you want this message to appear and select Ok.
• You can do this for emails, contacts, calendars, etc, and recover your lost data items in Outlook easily.

#Solution 2. Recover Deleted Outlook Emails from the Recoverable Items Folder

If the data is permanently deleted i.e., deleted with the Shift+Delete key or purged from the Deleted Items folder, then you can still recover it from the hidden Recoverable Items folder.

• Open Outlook, go to the Folder tab, and select Recover Deleted Items.
• Choose the data you want to recover and select Recover Selected Items.
• It will move the deleted data into the Deleted Items folder. Now, simply move it into your preferred mailbox folder.

Do note that you can only recover data within the 14 days after deletion. By default, the Recoverable Items folder only saves data within that period range.

#Solution 3. Check the Archive Folder to Recover Deleted Outlook Emails

• Open the Outlook application.
• Navigate to the “Archive” folder in the left pane.
• Browse or search within the Archive folder for the deleted email.
• If found, right-click the email and select “Move“, then choose your Inbox or another folder.

#Solution 4. Use the Search Function

• Within the Outlook application, type keywords or the sender’s name in the search bar at the top.
• Ensure to search in “All Mailboxes” if applicable.
• If you find your email, right-click it and select “Move” to restore it.

#Solution 5. Restore from Backup (PST File)

• After opening the Outlook application, go to “File” > “Open & Export” > “Import/Export.”
• Choose the “Import from another program or file” option and click “Next.”
• Choose “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and click “Next.”
• Browse to locate your PST file and select it.
• Choose the folder(s) you want to import and follow the prompts to recover deleted Outlook emails.

#Solution 6. Use the Outlook Web App (OWA)

• If you’re using an Exchange or Office 365 account, log in to the Outlook Web App to access features that might differ from the desktop version.
• Check the Deleted Items folder and the Recoverable Items option there as well.

What if the Outlook PST file is deleted from the System?

If your PST file is deleted from the system partition, you need a hard drive or pen drive data recovery program to recover the complete data file. If it is not shift-deleted or permanently deleted, look in your recycle bin for the deleted PST file. 

Important Points to Note to Recover Deleted Outlook Emails:

1. Always keep a backup of all your Outlook data files.
2. Use Outlook with sync to your Antivirus program to eliminate the threat of virus attacks.
3. Exit Outlook with the Close or Exit button to prevent damage due to abnormal termination.

Author’s Suggestion!

Outlook stores all its data items in a PST (Personal Storage Table) file. There is a risk of losing all the data stored in the PST file if it becomes inaccessible or corrupt. Also, sometimes users delete important data in Outlook accidentally but require it afterward. In such situations, the methods given in this article can be implemented to recover deleted Outlook emails easily. The most recommended method is using the software as it can not only recover complete data items from Outlook but can also repair the damaged PST file accurately.