Help & Guides / Microsoft Outlook
Deleted something?
Here’s where to look.
A quick guide to recovering deleted items in Outlook, based on Microsoft’s official instructions.
First check
Is it still in Deleted Items?
- Open Deleted Items in Outlook.
- Find and select the message.
- Use Move to return it to your inbox or another mail folder.
Not there? Open the instructions for your version below.
Recovery stepsNew Outlook or Outlook in a web browser
- In Deleted Items, look above the message list for Recover items deleted from this folder and choose Recover.
- Select the missing messages, then choose Restore.
- Check their original mail folders; web recovery uses the inbox if the original folder is gone.
For this recovery view on a phone, switch to a PC or Mac browser.
Recovery stepsClassic Outlook for Windows
- Connect Outlook to the mail server and open Deleted Items.
- On the Home ribbon, choose Recover Deleted Items From Server.
- Mark the required messages, choose Restore Selected Items and confirm.
- Look in Deleted Items again, then move the recovered messages into your inbox.
If recovery controls are missing, your account may not support this method.
If the item is still missing
Recovery has limits.
Ask us promptly.
Microsoft 365 work-account recovery depends on mailbox retention settings. Some retained items require administrator assistance and are not available through Outlook’s normal recovery tools. Recovery cannot be guaranteed.
When contacting Customer First, include the mailbox address, approximate deletion date, sender or subject, and the steps you have tried. For a shared mailbox, tell us its name. Please do not send your password.
More official help
Other Outlook items?
Microsoft also provides guidance for contacts, appointments and tasks in its full recovery article ↗.