How Long Does Outlook Keep Deleted Emails?

If you are like most of us, you have been relying on Outlook email to communicate with family, friends, and colleagues for years. But did you know that Outlook doesn’t keep your deleted emails forever? In this article, we will explain how long Outlook keeps deleted emails and what you can do to ensure that they are stored properly in case you need them in the future.

What Happens to Deleted Emails in Outlook?

When an email is deleted in Outlook, it is moved to the Deleted Items folder. Outlook keeps emails in the Deleted Items folder until they are manually purged or until they are automatically removed after a designated amount of time. Depending on the Outlook version and settings, deleted emails can be kept in the Deleted Items folder for a certain period of time or permanently.

The length of time Outlook keeps deleted emails can vary depending on the settings chosen by the user. Some versions of Outlook allow users to customize their Deleted Items folder settings to determine how long deleted emails will be kept. Other versions of Outlook may have a fixed amount of time that emails are kept in the Deleted Items folder.

How to Customize Deleted Items Folder Settings in Outlook

In Outlook, users can customize their Deleted Items folder settings to determine how long deleted emails are kept. To customize the Deleted Items folder settings, users must first open the Outlook application on their computer. Then, they must select the “Deleted Items” folder in the left-hand panel. Next, users must select the “Options” button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Finally, users can customize their Deleted Items folder settings by selecting the “Purge Deleted Items after” option and selecting the desired amount of time that deleted emails should be kept.

How to Permanently Delete Emails in Outlook

In addition to customizing the Deleted Items folder settings, users can also permanently delete emails in Outlook. To permanently delete an email, users must first select the email in the Deleted Items folder. Then, they must select the “Delete” button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Finally, users must select the “Permanently Delete” option to ensure that the email is permanently deleted and is not kept in the Deleted Items folder.

How Long Does Outlook Keep Deleted Emails?

The amount of time that Outlook keeps deleted emails depends on the settings chosen by the user. By default, Outlook will keep deleted emails in the Deleted Items folder for 30 days. However, users can customize their Deleted Items folder settings to keep deleted emails for a shorter or longer amount of time. If users do not customize their Deleted Items folder settings, Outlook will automatically purge emails from the Deleted Items folder after 30 days.

What Happens if Outlook is Configured to Keep Deleted Emails Permanently?

If Outlook is configured to keep deleted emails permanently, the emails will remain in the Deleted Items folder until they are manually deleted. It is important to note that manually deleting emails from the Deleted Items folder will permanently delete them and they will not be able to be retrieved.

What Happens if Outlook is Configured to Automatically Purge Deleted Emails?

If Outlook is configured to automatically purge deleted emails, the emails will be removed from the Deleted Items folder after the designated amount of time. It is important to note that once emails are purged from the Deleted Items folder, they cannot be recovered.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long do deleted emails remain in an Outlook mailbox?

A1: Deleted emails remain in an Outlook mailbox until they are permanently deleted by the user or until they are purged by the mailbox’s retention policy. By default, Outlook keeps deleted emails for 14 days before they are permanently deleted. The user can adjust this setting to keep deleted emails longer or to delete them immediately.

Q2: How do I access my deleted emails in Outlook?

A2: In the Outlook desktop application, you can access your deleted emails by going to the Deleted Items folder. In the Outlook web app, you can access your deleted emails by going to the Recycle bin. Once you open the folder or bin, you can view, recover, or permanently delete your emails.

Q3: What happens to deleted emails after 14 days in Outlook?

A3: After 14 days, Outlook will permanently delete the emails in the Deleted Items folder. The emails will be moved to the Recoverable Items folder for an additional 14 days before they are permanently deleted from the mailbox.

Q4: How can I extend the length of time Outlook keeps deleted emails?

A4: You can extend the length of time Outlook keeps deleted emails by adjusting the mailbox’s retention policy. You can set the policy to keep deleted emails for up to 30 days before they are permanently deleted. This setting can be adjusted for individual mailboxes or for a group of mailboxes.

Q5: How do I know when Outlook will permanently delete my emails?

A5: You can view the time and date when Outlook will permanently delete your emails by opening the Deleted Items folder or the Recoverable Items folder in the Outlook desktop application or web app. You can also view the retention policy settings to see how long Outlook will keep deleted emails.

Q6: Can I retrieve emails that have been permanently deleted from Outlook?

A6: If the emails have been permanently deleted from the mailbox, they cannot be retrieved. However, if the deleted emails are older than 14 days, you may be able to retrieve them from the Recoverable Items folder. Depending on the mailbox’s retention policy settings, emails may remain in the Recoverable Items folder for up to 30 days before they are permanently deleted.

How long does Outlook keep permanently deleted emails?

In conclusion, Outlook can keep deleted emails for an indefinite amount of time, depending on the user’s settings. If you’re looking to recover deleted emails from your Outlook account, it’s important to check your email settings and delete emails regularly. While it may seem like a tedious task, it may just save you a lot of frustration in the long run.