How to Recover Deleted Folder in Outlook: 8 Methods

8 Methods to Recover Deleted Folder in Outlook

We have listed here eight methods to restore Outlook folders after accidental or deliberate deletion.

Method 1: Check the “Deleted Items” Folder

Outlook users can often recover deleted folders quickly. The “Deleted Items” folder is the first place to check. When a folder is deleted, it usually moves there temporarily. Users should check this folder before it’s too late.

1. Open Outlook and navigate to the “Deleted Items” folder on the left sidebar.
2. Look for the deleted folder by browsing through the list.
3. Right-click on the folder and select “Move Folder” to move it back to the desired location in the mailbox.

Ah, the “Deleted Items” folder! This is your first line of defense when it comes to recovering an accidentally deleted folder in Outlook. Think of it like a digital recycling bin – most recently deleted folders get sent here for a temporary stay. However, this isn’t a permanent storage solution. If you emptied the “Deleted Items” folder or some time has snuck by unnoticed, this method might not work. In that case, don’t despair! We’ll explore other recovery options next.

Method 2: Recover from the “Recoverable Items” Folder

If users can’t find the deleted folder in “Deleted Items,” there’s still hope. Outlook has a hidden area called the “Recoverable Items” folder, where permanently deleted items are stored for a limited time.

1. Go to the “Folder” tab in Outlook.
2. Select “Recover Deleted Items” from the toolbar.
3. Browse through the recoverable items list to find the deleted folder.
4. Select the folder and choose “Restore Selected Items” to recover it.

Keep in mind that the “Recoverable Items” folder is often available to users connected to Microsoft Exchange or Office 365. This option may not appear in all Outlook accounts.

Method 3: Recover Deleted Folder Using Outlook Web Access (OWA)

For users who access Outlook through a web browser, recovering a deleted folder in Outlook is slightly different. Outlook Web Access (OWA) provides options similar to the desktop app for recovering deleted items.

1. Open a web browser and sign in to Outlook Web Access.
2. Go to the “Deleted Items” folder.
3. Search for the folder, then right-click it and select “Move to” or “Restore.”
4. Select the location to which the folder should be restored.

Using OWA is particularly useful for users who rely on Outlook’s online version. Many users find this helpful. Why? Because they can access deleted items from any device with an internet connection.

Method 4: Microsoft 365 Admin Center (For Admins)

For organizations using Microsoft 365, administrators have additional recovery options. This is useful when employees lose important folders and need administrative assistance.

1. Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
2. Navigate to “Users” and select the affected user’s account.
3. Open the “Content Search” feature to locate the deleted items in the user’s mailbox.
4. Select and restore the required folder.

This method is suitable for companies where IT admins oversee Outlook management. Especially if they handle shared or important mailboxes and want to recover deleted folder in Outlook.

Method 5: Check the Archive Folder

In some cases, users may not have deleted the folder but moved it to the “Archive” folder instead. Outlook’s archiving feature is useful for organizing, but it can sometimes cause confusion when items appear missing.

1. Go to the “Archive” folder in the Outlook sidebar.
2. Look for the missing folder within the archive.
3. Right-click and move it back to the main mailbox.

This method is easy but often overlooked. Archiving in Outlook can be manual or automatic. So it’s worth double-checking to recover lost folders in Outlook.

Method 6: Use Outlook’s Search Feature

Sometimes, users may mistakenly drag and drop folders. Thus, moving them to unexpected locations rather than deleting them. In such cases, the Outlook search feature can be handy for locating missing folders.

1. Go to the search bar in Outlook.
2. Type in the name of the folder or specific keywords related to the content.
3. Once located, right-click and move the folder to its proper location.

Outlook’s search is a powerful tool for finding lost emails or folders. But it only works if the Outlook folders have been misplaced rather than deleted.

Method 7: Restore Deleted Folder in Outlook from a Backup

If the folder cannot be recovered using the above methods, a backup may provide the solution. Restoring from a backup is ideal for users who regularly back up their Outlook data.

1. For a .PST file backup, go to “File” > “Open & Export” > “Import/Export.”
2. Select “Import from another program or file” and choose the .PST file backup.
3. Browse to find the deleted folder and restore it.

Users who use cloud backup services such as OneDrive or third-party backup software may also check those sources. Regular backups are helpful in preventing data loss, making this an essential method.

Method 8: Outlook Deleted Items Recovery Tool