How to Stop Outlook From Automatically Deleting Emails?
Why Does Outlook Automatically Delete Emails?
- AutoArchive Configurations: A built-in AutoArchive function of Outlook allows the users to configure the system to eliminate unwanted mail.
- Retention Guidelines: Business or personal mailbox guidelines might apply an automatic filtration mechanism on the unwanted content.
- Spam Settings: Excessive email security or spam filtering programs may send messages to the Deleted Items or delete them right away.
- View Criteria: The established filters may deprive some emails of visibility, thus making them look lost.
- Rules & Automation: It is possible to create rules to streamline the process of sending or deleting emails.
- Synchronized External Devices: Outside apps may erase opened messages from the server, once the devices are synchronized.
How to Stop Outlook from Automatically Deleting Emails?
To stop Outlook from automatically erasing your email messages, fulfill these requirements. Stop Outlook AutoArchive, check the rules created by Outlook, and check that your view filters do not block your messages.
Method #1: Use AutoArchive Setting
Firstly, go to: File > Options > Advanced. Find AutoArchive Settings. Uncheck Run AutoArchive every X days or set your folder action as to simply move messages to the archive folder instead of automatically deleting them.
Click OK and go back to Outlook, check the AutoArchive dialog box whether it exits and settings saved.
Method #2: Check Rules for Inbox
Go to: File > Info > Manage Rules and Alerts. Check the list of the active rules and make sure that there is no rule to transfer messages directly to Deleted Items or Junk Email folders without your supervision.
Uncheck/delete any suspicious rule and then send a test email to understand what happens to it.
Method #3: Check Folder Retention Policies.
Right-click your inbox/Deleted items folder, select Properties and go to the Policy/AutoArchive tab, find the retention policy that does not allow deletion.
Make sure the policy does not contain the tags that delete the emails.
Method #4: Restore the Settings for the Inbox View
From the top toolbar, click the View tab, followed by the Reset View option to make sure there are no current filters concealing any previously read emails.
Ensure that the message list in the folder you are in gets refreshed and any missing emails get displayed immediately.
It is very important to use local archive to avoid unexpected data loss due to the automatic deletion of emails. MailsWare Email Backup Toolkit software includes powerful features that allow you to easily export your emails to various formats and cloud solutions without the loss of any data. In case you are facing space limitations resulting from the presence of old records, you can look at this guide about how to fix Outlook OST file size not reducing after archiving. Taking such preventive measures protects your important emails from getting lost permanently.
FAQ
Q: What causes Outlook to delete messages without my consent?
Outlook deletes messages in scenarios where AutoArchive feature is active, cleaning up policies are configured, or retention regulations are enforced.
Q: How to disable AutoArchive feature in Outlook?
To deactivate AutoArchive, visit File > Options > Advanced > AutoArchive settings and remove the checkmark from “Run AutoArchive every X days” option.
Q: Can synced mobiles be the reason behind messages disappearing from Outlook?
Yes, there are cases when third-party mobile applications might be responsible for this problem. They can delete emails stored on the server after synchronizing them with the mobile devices.
Summary
- Stop automatic archiving in the advanced settings found in Outlook which would otherwise delete your old messages and emails.
- You need to look at all the active alerts and rules to ensure that there are no automatic commands for deleting messages.
- Look at your folder properties to check that there are no retention or expiration policies in any of your folders.
- Make sure that the view filter is reset for making sure the emails are not hidden.
