My hotmail email inbox deleted

Question

My hotmail email inbox was completely erased and i was hacked. I changed my password today.

Answer 1

Hey there! Nice to meet you!

Please try checking the "Deleted items folder" > if your emails are there, ctrl+A to select all of your emails > then restore.

Note: It would be best to perform this using a PC/laptop device.

If you can't find your emails, kindly check the "Recoverable Items folder/Recover items deleted from this folder." from the "deleted items folder" using a Windows PC or Mac. You can't access this folder on a mobile web browser.

If you're able to find the emails under the Recoverable Items folder > check all the items > right click then select Restore.

If you can't find your emails under that folder, I'm afraid this means that your emails are permanently deleted from the server, and it can no longer be recovered.

You may also check this link for reference: https://support.microsoft.com/office/recover-and-restore-deleted-items-in-outlook-49e81f3c-c8f4-4426-a0b9-c0fd751d48ce#picktab=web

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

Darhyl

Answer 2

Because the inbox was erased during or after the hack, the priority is to secure the Microsoft account and then attempt recovery using Microsoft’s official tools.

1. Secure the account and devices
   1. Run a full antivirus/malware scan on every device used to sign in to this Hotmail/Outlook.com account. If using Windows 10/11 or 8.1, turn on and run Windows Defender as described in the guidance for recovering a hacked account.
   2. After scans complete, change the Microsoft account password again to a strong, unique password using the official password-change page.
   3. Turn on two-step verification (multi-factor authentication) and ensure security info (phone, alternate email, authenticator app) is correct and under control.
2. Use Microsoft’s hacked/compromised account flow
   1. Go to the “How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account” page and select Start to launch the sign-in helper tool.
   2. Provide the affected email address or phone number and follow the steps. The tool will either guide through self-help or offer a chance to talk to an agent.
   3. Follow the detailed steps there:
      • Step 1: Clear devices of malware (already covered above).
      • Step 2: Change or reset the password if not already done.
      • Step 3: Check account settings like connected accounts, forwarding, and automatic replies for anything the hacker may have changed.
3. Check Outlook.com settings for ongoing compromise
   1. After signing in safely, in Outlook.com check:
      • Inbox rules for any rules that move or delete mail.
      • Forwarding settings for unknown addresses.
      • Automatic replies that might be sending messages on behalf.
   2. Remove anything suspicious.
4. Attempt to recover or confirm loss of messages The provided context does not include a guaranteed way to restore permanently deleted inbox contents. If the hacker deleted messages and they are no longer in Deleted Items or Recoverable Items, they may not be recoverable. Use the hacked-account helper tool and, if offered, contact support/agent options there to ask whether any recovery is possible for this specific mailbox.
5. If sign-in or password recovery fails If sign-in becomes impossible again, use the official password recovery tools:
   • First try the password reset tool at https://account.live.com/pw.
   • If that fails, use the account recovery form at https://account.live.com/acsr and provide as much accurate information as possible (previous passwords, contacts, subject lines, etc.).

Following these steps helps stop the attacker from continuing to access or further modify the account, and uses Microsoft’s official mechanisms for hacked-account handling and any possible recovery.

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References:

• How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account
• How can I recover my password for Microsoft accounts, including Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, MSN, Onenote, etc.?