Outlook deletion has more than one stage. A deleted message usually goes to Deleted Items first, and some account types keep another short-term recovery area after that folder is emptied. That gives you a recovery window, but it also means delete is not always immediate erasure.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Outlook for Microsoft 365 and Outlook.com on Windows or Mac with Exchange, Microsoft 365, or Outlook.com accounts. Recovery options vary by account type and administrator settings.
Recover a message from Deleted Items
Start here for most accidental deletions.
- Open Deleted Items from the folder list.
- Find the message by scrolling or using the search box.
- Right-click it and choose Move > Other Folder, then select Inbox or another destination.
- You can also drag the message from Deleted Items into another folder.
If the message is not in Deleted Items, it may have already been removed from that folder. Try the recoverable-items step next.
Recover items removed from Deleted Items
Some Outlook accounts keep a hidden recovery area for a limited time.
- Click Deleted Items.
- On the Home or Folder tab, choose Recover Items Recently Removed from This Folder.
- In Outlook on the web or Outlook.com, use Recover items deleted from this folder at the top of Deleted Items.
- Select the message or messages to restore.
- Click Restore Selected Items, Recover, or the equivalent button.
- Move the restored message from Deleted Items to the correct folder.
For many work or school Microsoft 365 and Exchange accounts, the default recovery period is 14 days, though admins may extend it. Personal Outlook.com commonly keeps deleted items for about 30 days.
Permanently delete an email
Use this when a message should be removed beyond the normal folder view.
- Delete the message normally so it moves to Deleted Items.
- Open Deleted Items.
- Right-click the message and delete it again, or right-click Deleted Items and choose Empty Folder.
- Confirm the deletion.
More control
Search before assuming it is gone
Use Outlook search and set it to All Mailboxes or All Folders. Messages are sometimes archived, moved by rules, or placed in a different folder.
Ask IT for managed accounts
If a work or school account is past the normal recovery window, an administrator may still have backup, retention, or hold options. Contact IT quickly if the message matters.
Empty Deleted Items automatically
In classic Outlook for Windows, File > Options > Advanced includes Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting Outlook. Use it only if you are comfortable with a shorter recovery path.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Recover deleted items in Outlook (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Recover deleted messages in Outlook.com (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Empty the Deleted Items or Junk Email folders in Outlook (2025)