How to Purge and Recover Outlook Emails

Microsoft Outlook caches all its data in a local PST file when using an IMAP account, just as in POP3 and other e-mail accounts. But when it comes to deleting e-mail messages, IMAP follows different set of rules. Unlike other protocols, IMAP account doesn't use 'Deleted Items' folder. The reason is that deletion works by marking the items for deletion, which you need to purge for permanent deletion in a specific folder. Since the Outlook e-mails are not deleted immediately, it allows for easy undelete. But if the item has been purged, there is no way to restore other than backup or using a Deleted Email Recovery utility. 

 

Microsoft Outlook lets you purge deleted items through an automated or a manual process. In automatic purge, the items are deleted as you switch to other folder. This happens only when you are online. The items deleted in offline state will be purged at next time you will be online.

You can setup Outlook for automatic purging using the below steps:

1. Open the desired folder to be setup for automatic purge
2. Click 'Edit' and then 'Purge'
3. Click 'Purge Options'
4. Check the 'Purge items when switching folders while offline' option
5. Click 'OK'

After you configure Outlook for automatic purging, you lose a safety net against accidental deletion. As you delete an e-mail item and change the folder while online, the item will be purged and gone forever.

Consider an instance when you setup automatic purging and mark few e-mails for deletion without realizing their importance. You change the folder and later notices that those e-mails were important from various perspectives. You also fail to re-download them from IMAP server and find any of their copy.

Such situations are typical instances of data loss and inevitably call for a backup or use of an Email Recovery Software. The third-party Deleted Email Recovery utilities are designed for the specific purpose of un-deleting the e-mails lost from an Outlook PST. The easy to use email recovery utilities come with an interactive user interface and simple steps. Also, these applications are safe to use with read-only algorithms.

Deleted Email Recovery is an advanced recovery utility that is able to recovers permanently deleted e-mails for Microsoft Outlook PST. The Software supports MS Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, and 2000. The software is equipped with various powerful features that make recovery easy and safe. The tool is compatibile with Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2003, and 2000.