Hello F :),
Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.
I understand how frustrating it can be when you’re searching for something important, especially when it involves memories from the past. Emails can hold sentimental value, and it’s natural to want to retrieve them. To set your expectations, Microsoft has limited resources involving data loss because they may be caused by uncontrollable factors such as file corruption. Nevertheless, I will walk you through some steps in potentially locating or recovering the data you are contacting us about. Should they still be present on your machine, I assure you that we can recover them; however, should it be otherwise, the least I could do is to provide you some pieces of advice in preventing such predicament from happening again.
Let me ask you this:
I'd like to know what @domain and who hosts your email account. Example @domains: Gmail.com, Yahoo.com Outlook.com/Hotmail.com
May I know how do you access your emails? is it through Outlook.com (web)? Outlook application (included in Microsoft 365 subscription)? New Outlook for Windows? Classic Outlook for Windows (Windows Mail app)? Outlook application for mobiles?
May I know what email configuration is your email account in Outlook? is it POP/IMAP? Or Microsoft Exchange?
Microsoft Outlook is a powerful tool, but sometimes finding older emails can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Let’s explore a few methods that might help you uncover those elusive messages:
Use the Built-In Search Function:
The quickest and most convenient way to find old emails in Outlook is by using the built-in search function.
Click on the search box located at the top of the Outlook window.
Enter keywords related to the email you are looking for, such as the sender’s name, subject, or specific content.
Outlook will display a list of matching emails based on your search criteria, enabling you to locate the desired message easily.
Utilize Filters:
Outlook includes advanced filtering options that allow users to narrow down their search results based on specific parameters.
You can filter by date, sender, subject, or other relevant criteria to refine your search.
Check Deleted Items and Archive Folders:
Accidentally deleted emails might still be in your Deleted Items folder. Take a look there.
Outlook also automatically archives emails over a certain age. Check the Archive folder to see if your emails are there.
Adjust Your View Settings:
By default, Outlook only shows emails from the past two weeks. To see older mail, change your view settings.
You can extend the time frame to display older emails.
Consider Using the MS Recovery Add-In:
Remember, you’re not alone in this quest to find those emails. Many others have faced similar challenges, and with a bit of persistence, you might just uncover those precious messages from two decades ago.
If you need further assistance or have any other questions, feel free to ask!
Regards,
Prince R
Microsoft Moderator
