How to recover an old email

Outlook.com does not normally delete a message from the Inbox merely because it is over a year old; first search the entire mailbox, but if it was deleted more than 30 days ago and is absent from Recoverable Items, Outlook.com cannot restore it.

Search for a moved or hidden message

On a computer, open Outlook.com and:

1. Search using the sender’s address, the team or company name, and terms such as gift card, voucher, reward, or the card provider’s name.
2. Set the search scope to All folders.
3. Check these locations:
   • Archive
   • Junk Email
   • Deleted Items
   • The Other tab if Focused Inbox is enabled
4. Above the message list, select Filter > All to remove any active filter.
5. Go to Settings > Mail > Rules and look for a rule that moved or deleted messages from that sender.

Outlook.com rules and Sweep can automatically move or delete messages, including deleting messages older than ten days from a particular sender.^1^ Microsoft’s missing-email guidance also recommends checking Other, Archive, filters, and rules.^2^

Try Recoverable Items

If the message is not in Deleted Items:

1. Use Outlook.com in a desktop browser on a PC or Mac; this recovery view is unavailable in mobile browsers and the Outlook mobile apps.
2. Open Deleted Items.
3. At the top of the message list, select Recover items deleted from this folder or Recover.
4. Search or scroll for the email, select it, and choose Restore.

Restored messages return to their original folder when possible, or to the Inbox if that folder no longer exists.^3^

For a personal Outlook.com account, messages are automatically removed from Deleted Items after 30 days, and items removed from Deleted Items remain recoverable for only another 30 days. Junk mail is permanently removed after 30 days. If the email was deleted over a year ago and is not shown in Recoverable Items, it is no longer recoverable through Outlook.com.^3^

Best remaining option for the gift card

Contact the team member, manager, rewards administrator, or gift-card issuer and ask them to resend the original message or reissue the card. Provide:

• Approximate delivery date
• Sender or company name
• Recipient email address
• Gift-card brand and approximate value
• Any announcement or related team message

Avoid sharing passwords or full payment-card details.

If the message disappeared recently or the date is uncertain, contact Outlook.com Support from Outlook.com by selecting Help, entering the issue, and then choosing Still need help? > Yes. Support can review the mailbox state, but an item outside the documented recovery locations and retention window may not be restorable.^2^

References

1. Organize your inbox with Archive, Sweep, and other tools in Outlook on the web | Microsoft Support
2. Email is missing from your Outlook.com inbox | Microsoft Support
3. [Web](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/mail/recover-and-restore-deleted-items-in-outlook)