How to recover deleted folder/sub folders/emails

Chris 0 Reputation points
2026-10-04T12:34:24.0133333+00:00

I accidently deleted a folder which had sub folders with a significant amount of emails in them. I deleted from my email account and they deleted the main folder again using the three dots next to its name.

I have checked the recover deleted items link in the deleted folder, the emails are not in there.

I tried to install email recovery within outlook but this did not email in my in-apps section therefore I downloaded Amrev Email Recovery for Outlook. However I do not understand what/where to find pst files. Nothing seems to be on my computer for that to scan for lost fodlders/emails. HELP

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For home
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  1. Jhun Buala 5,815 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-04T14:26:47.2133333+00:00

    Hi Chris,

    Good day. You dont need the PST file to find for this recovery. If you're using New Outlook, it doesn't normally store your mailbox in a local PST file, so third-party PST recovery tools such as Amrev won't help with this particular situation.

    Since the folder and its subfolders were deleted, the best option is to check Outlook's server-side recovery area:

    1. Open Deleted Items.
    2. Select Recover items deleted from this folder (sometimes shown as Recover deleted items).
    3. Look for the emails from the deleted subfolders. You may need to sort or search the recovery list.
    4. Select the messages you need and choose Restore.

    The important part is that the deleted folder itself may not be recoverable, but the emails that were inside it can sometimes still be recovered.

    If you've already checked the recovery list and none of those emails are there, they may have been permanently deleted and New Outlook doesn't provide another self-service recovery method. In that case, I'd recommend contacting Microsoft Support as soon as possible, especially if the emails are important, as mailbox retention/recovery options can depend on the account type.

    Also, I wouldn't install or pay for a PST recovery program yet. It won't scan your online Outlook mailbox for these deleted messages.

    I hope this helps.

    Regards,
    Jhun

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-04T12:34:40.1133333+00:00

    For new Outlook for Windows (home), the supported recovery path is through Deleted Items and then Recoverable Items.

    1. In new Outlook, open Deleted Items.
    2. If the deleted folder is still there, restore the messages or move them back:
      • Select the messages and use Home > Move, then choose the destination folder.
      • If needed, right-click and select Restore.
    3. If the items are no longer in Deleted Items, stay in Deleted Items and select Recover next to Recover items deleted from this folder.
    4. In the recovery list, select the items and choose Restore.
    5. After recovery from Recoverable Items, the restored items return to Deleted Items first. Move them from Deleted Items to another folder.

    Important points for the scenario described:

    • If a folder was deleted, Outlook support content states that a permanently deleted folder itself cannot be recovered, but messages from that folder may still be recoverable.
    • If the messages do not appear in the Recover list, they were likely permanently removed and may no longer be recoverable in self-service.
    • For Outlook.com and Outlook on the web, items removed from Deleted Items are recoverable for 30 days.
    • If Deleted Items is being emptied automatically on sign-out, turn that off in Settings > Message handling by clearing Empty my deleted items folder.

    About the PST file question:

    • The provided Outlook recovery guidance for new Outlook for Windows does not use PST-file scanning as the recovery method.
    • The documented recovery method is the mailbox-based recovery flow in Deleted Items and Recoverable Items.

    If the items are not in Deleted Items and also not in Recover items deleted from this folder, there is no further self-service recovery path shown in the provided Outlook support content.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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