retrieve a task list

Question

Retrieve a task list that has been accidentally deleted

Answer 1

Hi John Beattie,

I haven't received any updates since your message. Has everything been resolved yet?

Answer 2

Hi John Beattie,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I’m sorry to hear that your task list was accidentally deleted. I know how stressful it can be to lose important items. I’ll explain what options are available to try and recover it.

1. Check Outlook Tasks (if using a Microsoft account)

Microsoft To Do syncs directly with Outlook Tasks. Please try:

• Sign in at https://outlook.com
• Click the App Launcher (top-left)
• Select Tasks
• Check Deleted Items or the Tasks folder to see if anything remains there

Sometimes items that disappear from To Do still appear in Outlook.

2. Check the “Assigned to you” and “Tasks” lists

Even if a custom list is deleted, tasks that were: assigned to you/ flagged from email or stored under the main Tasks list …may still exist. Open To Do and check:

• Assigned to you
• Tasks (default list)
• Planned (if tasks had due dates)

3. If it was a shared list

If your deleted list was shared with someone else, another member might still have a copy, they can share the list with you again. This is one of the only ways to fully recover a deleted shared list.

4. Avoid reinstalling or signing out

If you still have To Do open on another device, avoid signing out or uninstalling, sometimes tasks remain cached there and you may be able to copy them manually.

I hope this helps, and please feel free to reply with any updates.

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