Fix Outlook Delegate WastebasketStyle Registry Key Not Working
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where deleted items from a delegate or shared mailbox are moved to the primary mailbox instead of the delegate mailbox's Deleted Items folder, despite configuring the DelegateWastebasketStyle registry value.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook and Exchange
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing and deleting emails within a delegate or shared mailbox in Microsoft Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- Deleted items bypass the shared mailbox's Deleted Items folder and move directly to the primary user's Deleted Items folder, even after updating the registry, Group Policy, and rebuilding the Outlook profile.
Ensure you have administrator access to edit the Windows Registry and verify that your user account has been granted explicit Full Access permissions to the shared mailbox on the Exchange server.
Verify Registry Key Value and Exchange Permissions
Double-check the specific registry path for your Outlook version and ensure the Exchange permissions are correctly assigned, as configuration mismatches are the primary cause of this issue.
The DelegateWastebasketStyle registry key behaves differently depending on the exact build of Outlook and the Exchange server environment. The key must be placed in the correct version-specific folder, and the user must have 'Full Access' permissions rather than just 'Send As' rights.
Press the Windows key + R, type 'regedit' in the Run dialog box, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
Navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\[YourVersion]\Outlook\Options\General', replacing [YourVersion] with your version number (e.g., 16.0 for Outlook 2016/2019/365).
Locate the 'DelegateWastebasketStyle' DWORD value. Ensure it is set to '4' (moves deleted items to the shared mailbox folder) or '8', depending on your specific requirements.
Log into the Exchange Admin Center or use PowerShell to confirm your account has explicit 'Full Access' permissions to the delegate mailbox.
Consult Microsoft Q&A Forums for Specialized Support
Since delegate mailbox behavior relies heavily on specific Outlook builds and Exchange backend settings, escalating the issue to Microsoft specialists is recommended if standard fixes fail.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the DelegateWastebasketStyle registry key do in Outlook?
The DelegateWastebasketStyle registry key controls where deleted items go when a delegate deletes them from a shared mailbox. When properly configured, it forces deleted emails to move to the shared mailbox's Deleted Items folder instead of the delegate's primary Deleted Items folder.
Why do deleted items keep going to my primary mailbox despite the registry fix?
This commonly happens if the registry key is placed in the wrong version folder, if the user only has 'Send As' permissions instead of 'Full Access' on the Exchange server, or if a corrupted Outlook profile is failing to read updated registry policies.
Will creating a new Outlook profile fix this registry policy issue?
Sometimes. If the current Outlook profile is corrupted, it might ignore Group Policy updates and registry modifications. Creating a fresh profile forces Outlook to fetch the latest configurations, though it won't bypass underlying Exchange permission errors.
