Microsoft Outlook – Deleted Items – Are they really deleted?

Have you ever wondered or asked that question –

I just deleted and emptied my “deleted Items” folder, are my emails really gone forever?

The answer to this question is NO! Of course with that resounding “NO”, there a few specifications that needs to be applicable to actually make that statement true!

The following apply to this tips and tricks post, check for the following –
• You are using Microsoft Outlook client/application to send/receive your emails from
• Your “profile” in Microsoft Outlook is configured to deliver your mail to mailbox located on the server (If configured to be delivered to your personal folders this does not apply)
• Your email account (Mailbox – First name, Last name) is physically located on a Microsoft Email Exchange Server – most companies utilize this!
• The Exchange server administrator usually sets up a retention time to permanently delete the deleted items folder on the exchange server (usually 2-4 weeks), after this time elapses, they are really gone!

NOTE (Or is this a disclaimer, lol?) – This is intended for information purposes and I like to always point out that even though you “delete” your emails from both – deleted items folder and recover deleted items folder – your company can still recover your mailbox and emails from the backup server tapes in exchange server land! Or at least that is if you have a good IT administrator who is backing up your corporate exchanger server :)

For ADVANCED USERS only, check out this link located at Microsoft - http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA011165281033.aspx

HOW TO RECOVER DELETED ITEMS

1-In MS Outlook, navigate to your ‘deleted items’ folder, once it is highlighted go to – Tools --> Recover deleted Items

2-Once clicked on, the below box appears with the following options –