Emails are moving to the deleted items folder automatically

Anonymous
2025-02-07T11:23:35+00:00

I am facing a temperamental issue since December, 2023 where sometimes my emails in the inbox and sent folder would go to the deleted items automatically. When this did happen it would be all emails moving to deleted not just a few.

To resolve this I had to move the emails out of the deleted and place back into the right folder manually. It was also confirmed when the emails did move it also showed in OWA as moved as well.

The issue has however become more frequent in recent times as much as every other day and sometimes multiple times a day, this makes the ability to work extremely challenging and near impossible when it happens so often.

Troubleshooting attempted so far -

  • Tried with a new laptop.
  • Checked no rules show in Outlook client or in OWA, this includes sweep rules in OWA. No rules shown in PowerShell when removing via this method.
  • No delegated access of the mailbox.
  • Restarting the laptop seems to temporarily stop the issue occurring.
  • No auto-archive option visible in the Outlook client settings or on properties page for the Inbox or Sent folders.
  • Checked the policy configured for the Inbox and Sent folders in Outlook client.
  • Checked retention policy page in OWA.
  • Checked junk email options in Outlook Client and no automatic filtering rules are enabled.
Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

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Anonymous
2025-02-07T13:25:00+00:00

Dear Alistair Montgomer**,**

Good day! Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft community.

As per your description, it seems like that you have been facing an issue for a long while, where all emails from the inbox and sent folder move to Deleted Items automatically. This behavior is:

  1. Random & unpredictable but has become more frequent (sometimes multiple times a day).
  2. Happens on both Outlook Client and Outlook Web App (OWA).
  3. No rules, delegation, retention policies, or auto-archiving are configured.
  4. Occurs on a new laptop as well, ruling out local device-specific issues.
  5. Restarting the laptop temporarily stops the issue, but the problem returns.

This suggests the issue might be caused by server-side settings, mailbox corruption, external applications, or account compromise.

There might be few reasons/ possibilities for these types of scenarios, for example:

  • There could be Hidden or Corrupt Rules in Outlook, as you know some rules may not be visible via PowerShell or OWA but could still be active in the backend.
  • An external email client (e.g., mobile app, Outlook add-in, security software) could be moving emails automatically.
  • If the local Outlook profile is corrupt, it could cause unpredictable behavior.
  • Regarding the Retention or Compliance Policies from Microsoft 365 Admin Center, even if you don’t see any policy in OWA, an administrator-defined policy could be in place.

You may try bellow initial steps to see the outcome:

Even though you have checked PowerShell, let's try again with a different command:

Open PowerShell as Administrator.

Run Outlook in safe mode:

Sometimes, add-ins can cause issues with Outlook. Running Outlook in safe mode can help identify if an add-in is a cause of the signature not appearing.

  • Close Outlook.
  • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type outlook /safe and press Enter.
  • If the issue doesn’t appear in Safe Mode, it's likely an add-in causing the problem.
  • You need to manage/ disable your add-ins one by one to see which one is impacting
  • You can manage your add-ins from "File" -> "Options" -> "Add-ins".

Also, follow the below steps in the article to repair your outlook application:

Repair Outlook:

Also repair your outlook profile:

Please follow these steps and let me know the outcome. If the issue persists after completing the above, feel free to reach out, and we can further investigate the problem together.

Thanks for choosing the MS community.

Looking forward to your response and have a great day ahead!!

Sincerely

S M Nazmun Nur | Microsoft Community Moderator

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-02-09T10:36:45+00:00

    Ohh it's working in safe mode. I on repairing outlook for another user. Great help

    Could you please help me to Add-ins?

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-10T17:55:06+00:00

    Dear Alistair Montgomer**,**

    Thank you for your feedback.

    I am glad that your problem has been resolved.

    I would glad to help you further, may I ask, what kind of help you need regarding the Add-ins?

    Appreciate your patience with us.

    Looking forward to your response and have a great day ahead!!

    Sincerely

    S M Nazmun Nur | Microsoft Community Moderator

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