Outlook emails help manage communication, schedule meetings and perform many other tasks. Being one of Gmail’s biggest competitors and a key player in the whole sector, Outlook still provides numerous features. 

outlook market share

However, sometimes you may encounter instances when these Outlook emails get deleted from your account. If done on time, those mails can be recovered forever after a certain period of time. 

Various methods can help you recover these mails, depending on how they were disposed of and the tools you have at your disposal. Hence, here in this article, we will explore 5 best methods to recover deleted Outlook emails on Windows 11. 

Common Causes for Deletion of Outlook Emails on Windows

Here are some common reasons for the deletion of Outlook emails on your Windows devices:

  • Accidental Deletion: You may have unintentionally deleted them when managing your inbox. 
  • Corrupt PST/OST Files: Damage to Outlook data files can cause the deletion of your account. 
  • Synchronization Issues: Problems syncing with the server may result in missing messages. 
  • Virus or Malware Attacks: Malicious software like viruses or malware can corrupt or delete emails. 
  • Outlook Application Errors: Crashes or glitches in the application may cause email loss. 
  • Third-Party Applications: Interference from other software that accesses Outlook can sometimes delete emails.

How do I Recover Deleted Emails on Outlook?

In this part of the blog, we’ve outlined the best 5 methods to recover deleted Outlook emails on Windows 11. Just go with these methods to get them back:

Method 01: Undo Recover Deleted Emails using Keyboard Shortcut

Simply pressing the Ctrl + Z key shortcut immediately after deleting an email will undo the deletion. This action will reverse the deletion and restore the email to its original folder.

Undo Recover Deleted Emails using Keyboard Shortcut

If you’ve navigated away or performed other actions since deleting the email, this shortcut may not work. In such cases, you can manually retrieve the deleted emails using the below methods. 

Method 02: Recover Deleted Outlook Emails from the Deleted Items Folder

The simplest way to recover stuff is through the Deleted Items folder. When you delete any email, it is not immediately deleted but moved to this folder, allowing easy recovery. Follow the below steps:

  • Firstly, open the Outlook application. 
  • From the left navigation pane, locate and click the “Deleted Items” folder.
click on deleted folder
  • Browse through the folder and choose the emails you need to recover.
  • Right-click on the selected messages and choose the “Move” option to transfer them back to the inbox or any desired folder.
     choose the Move
     

Method 03: Recover Deleted Emails from the Recoverable Items Folder

If your emails are not present in the Deleted Items folder, they might be in the Recoverable Items folder. This folder is a hidden part of Outlook and stores those that have been permanently removed from the Deleted Items folder. Go through the below-given steps to recover them from the Recoverable Items folder:

  • Launch the Outlook application on your device. 
  • Go to the “Folder” tab from the menu bar located at the top, and then click on “Recover Deleted Items”.
    Recover Deleted Items
  • From the window containing all your recoverable items that appear on your screen, select the emails you want to recover and click “Restore Selected Items” followed by clicking the OK button.
Restore Selected Items
  • The selected file will be restored to its original location. You can check and confirm the same by using the search function available in Outlook.
    search function
     

Method 04: Recover Outlook Emails from a Backup

If you regularly backup your Outlook data file (.pst or .ost) on your computer or external storage, you can easily recover deleted emails by using those backups. Follow the below steps to recover using backup: 

  • Find the backup file on your computer on your computer or external storage.
  • Launch the Outlook application, go to File > Open & Export, then select Import/Export.
    Open & Export
  • Choose “Import from another program or file” and then click Next.
    Import from another program or file
  • Now, select “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and click Next.
    Outlook Data File
  • Click Browse and then select the desired PST backup file. Again, click Next and go through the on-screen instructions to import the selected file.
    Click Browse
  • Lastly, select the location where you need to save imported files and click Finish to conclude the process.
    click Finish
  • Once imported, check if the deleted data files are restored successfully. 

Method 05: Use Third-Party Windows Data Recovery Software

There might be some instances when the above-mentioned manual methods may fail to restore your lost Outlook emails. When such built-in methods fail, you can use third-party Windows data recovery software to get those stuff back. Tools like Stellar Data Recovery Standard allow you to recover data of any type, including documents, photos, videos, and more. 

  • This all-in-one Windows data recovery tool supports recovery of both PST file and OST file recovery and 1000+ file types.
  • Recover mails due to accidental deletion, formatting, partition loss, virus assault, etc.
  • 100% safe and secure tool, free from viruses, malware, or pop-ups.
  • The software is available in multiple versions, varying in features and prices. Select the version that best suits your requirements.

Here’s how to recover deleted Outlook emails on Windows 11 using the Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool:

  • Step 1: After you download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool on your Windows device, launch it
  • Step 2: From the Select What to Recover window, choose Emails and click Next to proceed.
     Select What to Recover
  • Step 3: Select the folder location or storage drive where your Outlook data file (.pst or .ost) is stored. Click Scan to initiate the scanning process.
    Select the folder location or storage drive where your Outlook data file
  • Step 4: Select recoverable files you need to restore and click “Recover” to save them at the desired location. 
    Select recoverable files

Conclusion

Losing necessary Outlook emails can be stressful, but the solutions mentioned in this write-up will help you recover your lost data. From utilizing built-in Outlook features like the Deleted Items and Recoverable Items folders to using third-party Windows data recovery software, there are multiple avenues to explore. 

Plus, maintaining regular backups of your Outlook data can provide a safety net, ensuring that even if they are deleted, they can be quickly and easily restored. By following these 5 best methods to recover deleted Outlook emails on Windows 11, you can effectively restore your lost messages and minimize the impact of data loss.

So, if this write-up helped you in any way possible, consider sharing it with your team or colleagues as well.




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