Accidentally Deleted an Email in Outlook? Here’s How to Recover It!
Have you ever accidentally deleted an important email in Outlook? Don’t panic! The good news is that Outlook offers several ways to recover those deleted messages, whether you’re using a PC or a Mac. Let’s walk through the methods to get those emails back, including separate steps for Mac users.
Method 1: Recover Emails from the Deleted Items Folder
For Windows Users
1. Open Outlook and navigate to the Deleted Items folder.
2. Use the search bar or scroll through the list to find the email you need.
3. Once you’ve found it, right-click on the email and select Move or Copy.
4. Choose a destination folder (like your Inbox).
Instructions for Mac Users
For those using Outlook on macOS, the steps are slightly different but just as simple. Here’s how you can recover deleted emails on your Mac:
1. Open Outlook on your Mac.
2. In the sidebar, click on the Deleted Items folder.
3. Use the search bar or manually browse through the list to find the email.
4. Once located, right-click (or Control-click) on the email.
5. Select Move to move it back to your Inbox or another folder.
Method 2: Using Outlook’s “Recover Deleted Items” Feature
For Windows Users
1. Go to the File tab in Outlook.
2. Click on Recover Deleted Items.
3. Select the desired emails and hit Recover.
4. Choose where you’d like to save them.
For Mac Users
1. Open Outlook for Mac and click on the Tools menu.
2. Select Recover Deleted Items from the dropdown.
3. A list of recently deleted emails will appear.
4. Check the emails you want to restore and click Recover.
5. Choose the folder where you’d like to save the recovered emails.
Additional Tips for All Users: Preventing Accidental Deletion
Create Regular Backups
Think of backing up your Outlook data as an insurance policy for your emails. If you accidentally delete something or encounter a software issue, having a backup means your important emails are protected. While you can use Outlook’s export feature to create a backup file on your computer or an external drive, it’s essential to do this regularly—weekly or monthly is ideal. However, manual backups can be time-consuming and easy to forget. That’s why Insight IT offers automated backup solutions for Office 365 to ensure your data is always secure and recoverable, no matter what happens. Reach out to us to learn how we can help safeguard your business emails.
Use the Archive Feature
Keeping your Inbox tidy reduces the chance of accidentally deleting important emails. Outlook’s Archive feature helps by moving older, non-essential emails into a separate folder. Archived emails are still searchable, so you can easily find them if needed. Regularly archiving keeps your Inbox organised and can even improve Outlook’s performance.
Enable Confirmation Before Emptying Deleted Items
To avoid mistakenly wiping out emails, enable the setting that prompts for confirmation before emptying the Deleted Items folder. This extra step acts as a safety net, giving you a chance to catch anything you didn’t mean to delete. It’s a simple way to prevent permanent data loss, especially if you tend to work quickly.
Be Mindful of Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are great for efficiency but can lead to mistakes if used carelessly. Pressing Delete sends an email to the Deleted Items folder, but Shift + Delete (or Command + Delete on a Mac) erases it permanently. Slow down when using shortcuts, or consider adjusting your settings to prevent accidental permanent deletions.
By following these steps, you can recover accidentally deleted emails and keep your inbox tidy. And remember, if you ever need assistance with managing your Outlook or have questions about email recovery, Insight IT is here to help. Our team is always ready to support you in keeping your systems running smoothly and securely.
