I was trying to organize my email folders and while moving a historical email folder it vanished - i can not find it - the contents anything

Brian Hutchison 20 Reputation points
2025-08-02T16:48:32.4866667+00:00

While reorganizing my email folders, one of my historical folders disappeared during the move. I’ve been unable to locate the folder or recover any of its contents.

I have searched trash, archive, and deleted items - not there

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For home
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IGYQ 22,225 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-08-02T17:36:46.8933333+00:00

Hi!

Sometimes folders get accidentally dragged into another folder(like you mentioned you're in the process of moving them one-by-one and accidentally it might have been put to another folder). You need to check ALL folders (no shortcut for this action) expand all of them one-by-one.

You can also search for a specific subject or sender that is included on the folder that is missing.

  • In Outlook or webmail, use the search bar and change the scope to "All Mailboxes" or "All folders."
  • If emails from the folder show up, check the folder path in the reading pane or in the properties.

Try checking on the Webmail(if using a Gmail or Outlook.com account) check all folders and search specific sender or subject that you can recall. you can check deleted item as well here.

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  1. Brian Hutchison 20 Reputation points
    2025-08-02T17:55:34.1733333+00:00

    Thank you. I've used Microsoft Outlook for over 20 years, but recently—possibly due to Windows 11 or my current system setup—I've experienced issues with using the mouse to organize folders. While attempting to move a historical folder, I suspect it may have been dropped into 'Deleted Items,' and due to its age, the contents might have been permanently erased. It's been especially frustrating; even while drafting this message, a simple attempt to copy text ended up dragging part of the sentence to the end.

    I have checked all over and now gone through all of my current folders and can not find it anywhere -- Two things WRONG with the New OUTLOOK

    1. no way to back up
    2. no way to modifiy columns for my historical sent items folder

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