I moved several emails to a newly created folder in Outlook, after the move was complete, I accessed the folder and it was empty. I've ensured that there is no filter active in my folder and it truly looks like the emails have completely disappeared.

Question

I moved several emails to a newly created folder in Outlook, after the move was complete, I accessed the folder and it was empty. I've ensured that there is no filter active in my folder and it truly looks like the emails have completely disappeared.

Sami B 0

I've checked the archive, all folders, deleted items/recovery and they are no where to be found. These emails are extremely important and it appears that this issue is not well supported in looking at the online resources. Can anyone please help me? This has massive implications if I can't recover the lost items.

I am using Outlook in the Edge browser in a windows PC.

SokiGuo-MSFT 31,461 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-08-18T06:05:34.59+00:00

Hi

Just checking in to see if above information was helpful. If you have any further updates on this issue, please feel free to post back. If you think my reply is helpful to you, please remember to mark it as an answer. Warm thanks.

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SokiGuo-MSFT 31,461 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-08-18T06:05:34.59+00:00

Hi

Just checking in to see if above information was helpful. If you have any further updates on this issue, please feel free to post back. If you think my reply is helpful to you, please remember to mark it as an answer. Warm thanks.

Answer 1

SokiGuo-MSFT 31,461 Microsoft External Staff

Hi @Sami B

Does Outlook desktop client have the same problem?

How did you move emails to a newly created folder? As far as I know, emails may disappear if by dragging and dropping to the newly created folder.

There are many reasons for this problem. Here are some possible causes and methods:

Instead of dragging and dropping the email, highlight the email, click on Move under Move group in Home tab, select the appropriate folder where you want to move the email and check if it works fine.

User's image

You moved to a different account or folder than expected. You can check this by using the search function in Outlook and looking at the Folder column to see where the emails are located.

User's image

Some view settings are applied to the new folder, and these settings hide email from your sight. You can clear all view settings by closing Outlook and running the command Outlook /cleanviews in the Run window. (Windows +R> type: outlook /cleanviews)

User's image

Hope this helps！

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Sami B 0 Reputation points

2023-08-20T02:46:00.05+00:00

Thanks for your reply.

The issue persists in the Outlook Desktop client as well. The folder seems to not be working, as anything I move there simply goes into the void and can't be located (I've tested this with a few emails just today)

Drag /drop is not a factor: the method I was using in the Edge browser (and also tested today in the Desktop client) was as follows: I was selecting multiple items at a time using the tick option at the left side, then selecting the option at the top of screen for 'Move to' and selecting the desired folder. The folder I was moving items to was created only a few minutes before I started moving items into it. Each time I moved a bunch of items, a notification would appear at the bottom of screen to confirm the successful move. I've also tested the right-click option shown in your screenshot and I get the same outcome for this particular folder - Note: all other folders are working fine.

I've looked at a few articles re: resetting views/filters to ensure nothing is preventing items from showing in a folder, but nothing has worked thus far.

I also tried to use the Run command your suggested, but I just get this error:

Looks like this one is just a one off bad luck moment.
SokiGuo-MSFT 31,461 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-08-21T06:59:51.5366667+00:00

Hi

Can disappeared messages be found through the top search box?

Be careful to make sure there is a space between Outlook and /.

Also, if you're using an Office 365 account, try Office 365's Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant, which will help resolve many Office issues.

https://diagnostics.outlook.com/#/.
SokiGuo-MSFT 31,461 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-08-23T09:17:24.9366667+00:00

Hi

Just checking in to see if above information was helpful. If you have any further updates on this issue, please feel free to post back.

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I moved several emails to a newly created folder in Outlook, after the move was complete, I accessed the folder and it was empty. I've ensured that there is no filter active in my folder and it truly looks like the emails have completely disappeared.

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