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How to Recover a Deleted Sent Folder in Outlook for Mac
Question details
The user needs to locate and restore a Sent folder or sent emails that were accidentally deleted in Microsoft Outlook for Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Accidental deletion or disappearance of the Sent items folder.
- Observed behavior
- The Sent folder is missing from the sidebar folder pane, and previously sent emails are no longer accessible in their usual location.
Check your email account type (Exchange, Microsoft 365, IMAP, or POP) in Outlook's settings, as this will determine the available recovery methods and retention policies for your deleted items.
Restore from the Deleted Items or Trash Folder
Often, a deleted folder is simply moved to your primary Deleted Items or Trash directory and can be manually dragged back.
When you accidentally delete a default or custom folder in Outlook for Mac, it is usually sent to the Deleted Items folder. As long as the trash hasn't been emptied, recovery is quick and straightforward.
Launch Outlook for Mac. In the left navigation pane, locate and click on the 'Deleted Items', 'Trash', or any 'Archive' folders to expand them.
Scroll through the contents of the Deleted Items folder to find your missing Sent folder or the specific sent messages.
Right-click the Sent folder (or select multiple messages), choose 'Move Folder' (or 'Move' for emails), and select your main mailbox root or desired destination to restore it.
Recover Using Outlook on the Web (Microsoft 365 & Exchange)
If the folder is no longer in Deleted Items, Exchange and Microsoft 365 users can access a secondary server recovery area.
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- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for Mac.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'Recover items deleted from this folder' option missing in my Outlook?
This server-level recovery feature is strictly available for Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft 365 accounts. If your Outlook for Mac is configured with an IMAP or POP account (such as Gmail, Yahoo, or standard ISP email), this option will not appear.
How do I recover a deleted Sent folder if I use a Gmail IMAP account in Outlook?
For IMAP accounts like Gmail, deleted items are often synced to the server's Trash folder. Log into your email provider's webmail interface (e.g., mail.google.com), check the Trash or Bin folder, and move the items back to the Sent folder. If permanently deleted from the webmail trash, they usually cannot be recovered through Outlook.
How long do deleted sent emails stay in the recoverable items folder?
By default, Microsoft 365 and Exchange accounts retain items in the recoverable items folder for 14 days after they are emptied from the Deleted Items folder. Your IT administrator can increase this retention period up to 30 days.
