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How do I retrieve a n email that disappeared while I was typing it

INGT Leadtesting 0 Reputation points
2026-01-29T17:37:34.19+00:00

While typing a lengthy email, the email disappeared. I did not save it, send it or delete it. I may have accidentally hit a key that made it disappear. Where might I find this email so that I do not have to re-type.

Thanks

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  1. AI answer

    2026-01-29T17:37:43.8566667+00:00

    If your email disappeared while you were typing it, there are a few steps you can take to try to recover it:

    1. Check Drafts Folder: Sometimes, emails that are in progress are automatically saved as drafts. Check your Drafts folder in Outlook to see if the email was saved there.
    2. Look for AutoRecover: If you were using Outlook, it may have an AutoRecover feature that saves your work periodically. Check if there are any recovered emails in the application.
    3. Use the Undo Function: If the email disappeared due to an accidental key press, you might be able to use the Undo function (usually Ctrl + Z) to revert the last action.
    4. Check for Temporary Files: In some cases, temporary files may hold unsaved content. You can check your computer's temporary files folder to see if anything related to your email is stored there.
    5. Restart Outlook: Sometimes, simply restarting the application can help restore lost content if it was not properly displayed.

    If none of these methods work, unfortunately, you may need to retype the email. It's a good practice to save drafts periodically while composing lengthy emails to prevent loss of content in the future.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Anonymous
    2026-01-29T20:37:05.4166667+00:00

    Hi @INGT Leadtesting 

    Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

    Thank you for getting in touch. I know how important it is to keep your work intact, especially when you’ve spent time writing a detailed email.  

    To help me understand the situation more clearly and support you effectively, could you please share a few details such as: 

    • Which app were you using to write the email in Outlook on the web, the desktop app, or the mobile app? 
    • Before the email disappeared, did you notice any keyboard shortcuts being pressed, such as Esc or Ctrl+Z? 
    • When the message vanished, did the app show any notifications like ‘Draft saved’ or did the window switch to another folder? 

    These details will help me identify whether the draft might have been autosaved, moved to another folder, or closed by a specific action. 

    In the meantime, here are a few steps you can try to locate the missing email: 

    1/ Check your Drafts and Deleted Items folders 

    Outlook automatically saves drafts as you type, so your message may still be located in: 

    • Drafts 
    • Deleted Items 
    • For Outlook on the web: Navigate to Deleted Items > Select Recover items deleted from this folder  User's image

    This is often the quickest path to finding a missing draft. 

    2/ If you were using Outlook on the Web 

    Your browser might still have the compose window preserved in its session. You can try: 

    • Press Ctrl + Shift + T to reopen the last closed tab 
    • Check your browser history for the recent Outlook compose page 

    This often restores the email right where you left off. 

    Note: Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.  

    I hope this information is useful. Additionally, as other users have raised similar concerns and may not be aware of where to share their feedback, I hope this response helps clarify the situation and suggests a potential next step. Highlighting this information can make it more visible to others in the community who may be facing the same issue, making it easier for them to find guidance and contribute their feedback as well. 

    Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

    I'm looking forward to your reply.  

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".      

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.  

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