Deleted Outlook items may still be available after you remove them. Emails, contacts, calendar entries, and tasks can move to Deleted Items, while supported accounts may offer another recovery location. PST files can also contain older mailbox data. This guide shows how to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook with Outlook, ScanPST, and PST recovery software.
1. Start by Checking Where the Item Went
Microsoft says deleted emails, contacts, calendar appointments, and tasks can often be restored from Deleted Items or Junk Email. Items removed from Deleted Items may remain in Recoverable Items for supported accounts.
Before you Recover Deleted Items from Outlook, determine whether the item is in an active mailbox or a PST file.
2. What Can Be Recovered?
Outlook can hold more than email. When you need to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook, the missing data may include:
- Emails and attachments
- Contacts
- Calendar appointments
- Tasks
The recovery route depends on the item and where it was stored. For deleted items recovery from Outlook, that distinction matters.
3. Check Deleted Items First
The first way to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook is also the simplest.
- Open Deleted Items.
- Locate the missing item.
- Select Move or right-click it.
- Choose the folder where it should be restored.
Microsoft provides this option in both new Outlook and classic Outlook.
An email can be moved to the Inbox, while a contact or appointment can be returned to its related folder. This is usually the quickest form of deleted items recovery from Outlook.
If the item is visible here, extra recovery software is unnecessary for deleted items recovery from Outlook.
4. Use Recoverable Items
When Deleted Items is empty, you may still be able to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook through Recoverable Items. This is often the next place to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook after a folder has been emptied. Microsoft says this can apply to items removed from Deleted Items and, in supported setups, items deleted with Shift+Delete.
Classic Outlook
- Open Deleted Items.
- Click Recover Deleted Items From Server.
- Select the required items.
- Click Restore Selected Items.
New Outlook
- Open Deleted Items.
- Select Recover items deleted from this folder.
- Choose the required items.
- Click Restore.
This command is not available for every account.
For deleted items recovery from Outlook, check this before moving to PST-specific recovery.
5. Try ScanPST for an Available PST
If the required item belongs to a PST that you still have, ScanPST is another option. Microsoft provides the Inbox Repair Tool to examine and repair errors in Outlook data files. Items it cannot place back into their original structure may appear in Lost and Found.
To try it:
- Close Outlook.
- Open
SCANPST.EXE. - Browse to the PST.
- Click Start.
- Select Repair if errors are found.
- Reopen Outlook and inspect the recovered folders.
This may help you Recover Deleted Items from Outlook in some PST-related situations, but ScanPST is primarily a repair utility. Microsoft notes that some items may not be recovered if they were permanently deleted or are beyond repair.
If you are trying to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook from a local PST, the file must be available for ScanPST to process.
6. Where Manual Recovery Falls Short
Built-in deleted items recovery from Outlook can fall short when:
- The item is gone from Deleted Items.
- Recoverable Items is unavailable.
- The recovery list does not contain it.
- ScanPST does not find it.
- The available PST needs a deeper search.
At this point, trying the same option again is unlikely to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook. A different recovery path may be needed to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook.
7. Recover Items from an Available PST
If the PST is still available and deleted mailbox items are missing, use SysTools Outlook Recovery Software. Its product page states that Advanced Scan can recover permanently deleted PST items and that users can preview emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, journals, and notes before exporting them.
Download and launch the software to begin deleted items recovery from Outlook. This is useful when you need to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook from an available PST.
Step 1: Add the PST File
Click Add File and select the PST that contains the Outlook data you want to retrieve.
Step 2: Choose the Scan Mode
Browse to the selected PST, choose Advance Scan, and click Add.
Step 3: Preview the Deleted Items
After scanning, open the relevant folder and review the available deleted emails and other mailbox items.
Step 4: Select What You Need to Save
Mark the required items and click Export Selected.
Step 5: Export the Recovered Data
Select PST, PDF, MSG, EML, or HTML, choose the destination folder, and click Export. The product also supports selective export, simplifying deleted items recovery from Outlook.
This gives you another way to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook when the PST exists but Outlook's normal options do not return the required data.
8. Why Consider Dedicated PST Recovery Software?
For deleted items recovery from Outlook, dedicated software provides more control over an available PST:
- Advanced Scan: Looks for recoverable deleted items.
- Preview: Check the data before export.
- Selective export: Save only what you need.
- Multiple formats: Export as PST, EML, MSG, PDF, or HTML.
These features can make deleted items recovery from Outlook more manageable when the required data is stored in a PST.
9. Final Thoughts
When you need to Recover Deleted Items from Outlook, begin with Deleted Items and then check Recoverable Items if your account supports it.
For an available PST, ScanPST can be tried, although it is not a guarantee that every missing item will return.
If those options do not work, deleted items recovery from Outlook can move to a dedicated PST recovery tool. This can help you Recover Deleted Items from Outlook by scanning, previewing, and selecting the available data. Keep the original PST unchanged while you work.
10. Frequently Asked Queries (FAQs)
Can I recover an item after emptying Deleted Items?
Supported Outlook accounts may keep deleted items in Recoverable Items for a limited period. The available recovery options depend on the account and its retention settings.
Why is Recover Deleted Items missing in my Outlook?
The command is not supported by every account. Microsoft notes that recovery options vary depending on the Outlook version and account type.
Can ScanPST recover every deleted item?
No. ScanPST is designed mainly to examine and repair Outlook data files, and some items may remain unrecovered.
Can I recover only selected items from a PST?
Yes. The dedicated recovery tool can preview available PST data and let you export only the items you need.
What should I do before attempting Recover Deleted Items from Outlook?
Keep the original PST untouched and, when possible, work on a copy. This protects the source during deleted items recovery from Outlook.
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