No sent folder in Outlook

Question

I have lost my 'Sent' folder in the classic Outlook. There is one under my Gmail account but there are no copies of any of my sent emails in it.

Answer 1

Hi Keith Hummel,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

I understand you no longer see sent messages in Classic Outlook and the Sent folder under your Gmail (IMAP) account appears empty. That can be very concerning when you rely on Sent items for record keeping.

I reviewed the Q&A Assist answer on the thread. The checks it suggests are generally appropriate for this scenario. Have you had a chance to try the Q&A Assist steps already, and did anything change afterward?

To add a bit more helpful context, there is one Gmail IMAP detail that often explains why Sent looks “missing” in Outlook:

1, Confirm the Gmail “Sent Mail” folder is actually available to IMAP and subscribed in Outlook

In Classic Outlook, IMAP accounts only sync folders that are subscribed. Microsoft documents how to query and subscribe to IMAP folders in Outlook. Reference: Choose which IMAP account folders appear in Outlook.

For Gmail specifically, Microsoft also notes that Outlook needs access to Gmail folders and recommends ensuring “Show in IMAP” is enabled for Sent Mail so it can appear and sync. Reference: Fix problems connecting your Google account to the Microsoft Cloud.

2, If sent items are not being saved locally, confirm the “save sent items” option is enabled

If the “Save copies of messages in the Sent Items folder” option is disabled, sent mail will not be saved in Sent Items. Reference: Emails aren't saved to Sent Items - Outlook | Microsoft Learn 

3, About IMAP limitation

Microsoft also notes that for IMAP accounts you cannot change where sent items are stored, although Outlook can be configured to stop saving sent items locally if needed. Reference: Change where sent email messages are saved.

One quick question so the next step can be targeted: do you see the sent messages correctly in Gmail on the web under Sent Mail?

I hope this helps clarify what is most likely happening, and I will be glad to continue once you share what you observe.

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Answer 2

In classic Outlook, each account has its own Sent Items folder. For Gmail (IMAP), the folder may exist but stay empty if Outlook is not configured to save copies of sent messages, or if the server is already handling Sent Items separately.

Check these settings in classic Outlook for Windows:

1. Verify Outlook is saving sent messages
   1. In Outlook, select File > Options.
   2. Select Mail.
   3. Under Save messages, make sure Save copies of messages in the Sent Items folder is checked.
   4. Select OK.
2. Confirm the Sent Items folder is visible
   1. In the folder list, expand the Gmail account by clicking the arrow (>) next to it.
   2. Look for Sent Items (or Gmail’s own Sent Mail folder). Each account has its own Sent Items folder.
3. For IMAP Gmail accounts with duplicates/empty Sent Some IMAP providers (including Gmail) create their own Sent copy on the server. Outlook can also create a Sent copy, which may cause duplicates or, if disabled, leave Outlook’s Sent Items empty. To rely on Gmail’s server copy and avoid Outlook creating its own:
   1. Select File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
   2. Select the Gmail IMAP account and choose Change.
   3. Enable Don’t save copies of sent items for that IMAP account.
   Then check the Gmail Sent folder (often named Sent Mail in the Gmail folder tree) to see your sent messages.

If sent items still do not appear anywhere, verify that messages are actually being sent (not stuck in Outbox) and that you are looking at the correct account’s Sent folder.

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References:

• View sent email
• Email sent using Outlook aren't saved to the Sent Items folder
• IMAP Sent Messages in Outlook for Windows are duplicated and unread in Sent Items folder