Exchange Online - Recover Deleted Items

Issue/Question

  • How do I recover deleted items in Exchange Online?

Environment

  • Oregon State University
  • Exchange Online

Explanation

It's easy to accidentally delete a message, either by clicking the delete option in the folder list (in Outlook Web App) or pressing the Delete key (in Outlook or Outlook Web App).

Messages you (or someone else with full mailbox access) deleted will be listed in the Deleted Items folder. If the Deleted Items folder has been emptied, you can still recover these messages for up to 14 days, unless they have been manually purged from recover deleted items.

Resolution

In Outlook:

  1. Select the Deleted Items folder
  2. To recover messages:
    1. Ctrl-Click or Shift-Click to select multiple items
    2. Right-click, select Move, select Inbox (or other folder)
    3. Alternatively, you can click and drag messages from the Deleted Items folder to another folder
  3. To recover items that have been emptied from the Deleted Items folder:
    1. Click the "Recover Deleted Items from Server" button in the ribbon on the Home tab
    2. Select a message, select "Restore Selected Items" and click OK

In Outlook Web App:

  1. Select the Deleted Items folder
  2. Right-click a message and select Restore
  3. If your message is missing from Deleted Items, try selecting "Recover items deleted from this folder"

For more information about recovering deleted items in Outlook, see: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/recover-deleted-items-in-outlook-for-windows-49e81f3c-c8f4-4426-a0b9-c0fd751d48ce

Assistance

For assistance, contact the Service Desk.

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