Hi Gary Gullo,
Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.
I understand the confusion. From your description, the folder likely still exists because you can see it when you use “Move to folder,” but it is not currently visible in the folder list on the left side in Outlook.com.
In Outlook.com, “missing” folders are often just nested as subfolders or collapsed in the folder pane, so please try the following:
- Expand the folder hierarchy in the left folder pane: In Outlook.com, folders do not always display all subfolders until you expand them. Look in the left folder pane for small expand arrows next to your mailbox name and key folders (for example, Inbox). Select those arrows to expand the structure and reveal subfolders. Also scroll down the folder list, because a folder can exist but be out of view if the pane is long.
- Check for “misplaced” nesting under another folder: It is common for folders to end up under Inbox (or another custom folder) as a subfolder. Expand Inbox and any other top-level folders you use often, and check for multiple layers of subfolders. Some users find that most “missing” folders have become subfolders, and subfolders can be several layers deep. Tip: Expand Deleted Items as well, because folders can sometimes be created or moved under it by mistake.
- Use “Move to” as a locator: Since the folder appears in the “Move to” list, which strongly suggests it still exists. A practical way to locate it is to expand the folder tree in the left pane while looking for the same naming pattern you see in the Move to list (for example, expand Inbox and then expand any folders that look like the parent).
If the folder still does not appear after expanding all arrows in the folder pane, a simple browser refresh or signing out and back in can help reload the folder list (this is a general display refresh step).
I hope this helps you locate the folder and make it visible again in the left folder pane.
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.