How to Unmark Gmail Messages for Deletion in Outlook IMAP
Question details
The user needs to remove the deletion mark (strikethrough formatting) from Gmail IMAP messages in Outlook without permanently deleting them or simply hiding them from view.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Managing a Gmail IMAP account within Microsoft Outlook.
- Observed behavior
- Messages appear with a strikethrough indicating they are marked for deletion. Hiding the messages does not resolve the issue, and the user wants to clear the deletion state so the emails can be kept normally.
Log in to your Gmail account via a web browser to check if the affected messages still exist in your inbox or if they have been moved to the Trash or Archive folders on the server.
Check Outlook View Settings and Undelete
Strikethrough formatting can sometimes be a visual artifact of the current view, or it can be reversed using the built-in Undelete function for IMAP accounts.
In IMAP accounts, Outlook sometimes marks items for deletion (displaying them with a strikethrough) instead of immediately moving them to the Deleted Items folder. You can clear this state using specific menu options or by resetting your view.
Click on the email or hold down the Ctrl key to select multiple emails that have the strikethrough formatting.
Navigate to the 'Home' tab on the Outlook ribbon, locate the 'Delete' group, and click on 'Undelete'. This should remove the deletion mark.
If the strikethrough persists, go to the 'View' tab, click 'Change View', and switch to 'Compact' or 'Single' to refresh the display settings.
Verify Folders and Restore Messages
Ensure the messages haven't been physically moved to a trash folder, which can cause IMAP sync to mark them in the inbox.
Create a New Outlook Profile
If the IMAP synchronization state is corrupted, rebuilding the Outlook profile can clear stuck deletion marks and refresh your inbox.
Experience a Lightweight and Free Office Alternative
If you frequently encounter synchronization and configuration issues with Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft 365, consider exploring WPS Office. It provides a robust, lightweight, and free alternative to Microsoft Office suites, helping you manage your documents without the usual hassle.
- 1. Visit the Official Website: Go to wps.com using your web browser.
- 2. Download the Installer: Click the 'Free Download' button to get the correct version for your operating system.
- 3. Install and Run: Launch the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Outlook strike through my Gmail messages instead of deleting them?
IMAP accounts in Outlook sometimes mark items for deletion with a strikethrough instead of immediately moving them to the Deleted Items folder. This depends on your account's Purge options and view settings regarding how deleted items are handled.
Does hiding deleted messages in Outlook unmark them?
No. Changing your view to hide messages marked for deletion only removes them from your screen. To actually unmark them and keep the emails, the IMAP deletion state must be cleared or the message must be restored using the Undelete command.
How do I stop Outlook from marking IMAP items for deletion in the future?
You can change this behavior by going to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. Double-click your IMAP account, select 'More Settings', go to the 'Advanced' tab, and adjust the 'Deleted Items' handling preferences, such as choosing to move deleted items to a specific folder instead of just marking them.
Will permanently deleting the message in Outlook also delete it in Gmail webmail?
Yes. Because IMAP synchronizes your email across all devices and the server, purging or permanently deleting an email in Outlook will also remove it from the Gmail server.
