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Mails get deleted automaticaaly after i move them to classified folders from the inbox

naimesh gidwani 5 Reputation points
2026-06-13T08:55:13.1633333+00:00

When I move my mails to classified folders name after each work, mails get deleted from the folders and soon the folders is empty, these mails are gone and cannot be retrieve -i have not kept any rules neither i have activated sweep. Also, these mails are not there in restore deleted mails

Please help me with this

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For home

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  1. Alice-N 10,370 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-06-14T03:54:10.0166667+00:00

    Hi  

    I understand that emails disappear after you move them from Inbox to your custom folders in new Outlook for Windows. I’m happy to help. Please reply with whether the affected account is: 

    • Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live / MSN, or 
    • a third-party account such as Gmail, Yahoo, or iCloud 

    Meanwhile, please follow these checks:  

    1) Check whether the messages are hidden by a filter 

    • Open Outlook on the web. 
    • Open the affected folder. 
    • Select Filter above the message list. 
    • Change it to All. 

    2) Search all folders, including Deleted Items 

    • In new Outlook, select Settings > General > Search. 
    • Under Search results, turn on Include deleted items, then select Save. 
    • Search for the missing email by sender, subject, or words from the message. 

    3) Check Archive, Junk Email, and Other 

    • Check the Archive folder. If the message is there, move it back using Move to > Inbox or your preferred folder. 
    • Check Junk Email. If you find the message there, select Report > Not junk. 
    • If Focused Inbox is turned on, also check the Other tab. 

    4) Test the folder in Outlook on the web 

    • Move one test email into the same custom folder in Outlook on the web. 
    • Refresh the page and check whether it stays there. 

    If the message stays in the folder on the web but disappears only in the new Outlook app, that maybe a display or sync issue in the app rather than the mailbox itself. 

    5) If the emails were deleted, try recovery again from a computer 

    • Open Deleted Items. 
    • Select Recover items deleted from this folder. 
    • Select the missing messages, then select Restore. 

    If an item is no longer in Deleted Items, the next place to check is the Recoverable Items folder, and restored items return to their original folder when possible.  

    Reference: Recover and restore deleted items in Outlook - Microsoft Support 

    6) Check recent account activity 

    • Review your Microsoft account recent activity. 
    • Check for sign-ins around the time the emails disappeared. 
    • If you see activity you do not recognize, secure the account right away by changing the password and reviewing your security settings. 

    Please tell me how it goes. If the problem persists, please don’t hesitate to reply to this thread and I will be happy to help. Have a lovely day!   

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".    

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-13T08:55:36.6833333+00:00

    Based on the described behavior and the available information, the most likely causes are:

    1. Messages are being moved or deleted by an automated mechanism (rule, filter, or junk handling) outside of Outlook on Windows.
    2. Messages are being treated as junk or blocked and automatically removed.

    From similar resolved cases:

    • A “silent” rule or filter (sometimes created outside Outlook, e.g., at the mail provider/webmail level) can mark messages as read and move them to another folder (such as Archive or Trash) so they appear to “disappear” from the folder where they were manually moved.
    • Marking a sender as blocked or junk can cause all messages from that sender (including those already moved into a custom folder) to be hidden or removed until the sender is explicitly allowed again.

    Recommended steps:

    1. Check Deleted Items and Recoverable Items
      • In new Outlook on Windows, open the Deleted Items folder and verify that the messages are not there.
      • If they are not visible in Deleted Items, use Outlook on the web/Outlook.com:
        1. Go to the Deleted Items folder.
        2. At the top of the message list, select Recover items deleted from this folder.
        3. Select any items that match the missing messages and select Restore.
      • Restored items go back to their original folders when possible; if the original folder no longer exists, messages go to Inbox.
    2. Check Junk/Spam handling and “blocked” status
      • In Outlook, open the Junk Email folder and verify that messages from the affected senders are not being treated as junk.
      • If legitimate messages appear in Junk, select the message and choose Report > Not junk (or the equivalent option) so future messages from that sender are not auto-moved or deleted.
      • If a sender was previously blocked, change it to “never block” or equivalent so messages already in your custom folders are no longer hidden or removed.
    3. Check for rules and filters at the provider level
      • Even if Outlook shows no rules and Sweep is off, the mail provider’s webmail (for example, the ISP or email host’s web interface) may have filters or rules that:
        • Move messages from specific folders to Trash/Deleted Items, or
        • Delete messages that do not match certain subject or content conditions.
      • Sign in to the provider’s webmail interface and review any server-side rules/filters. Disable or delete any rule that moves or deletes messages from your custom folders.
    4. Avoid using Deleted Items or Junk as storage
      • Items removed from Deleted Items are only recoverable for a limited time (typically 30 days) and then are permanently removed.
      • Ensure that custom “classified” folders are regular mail folders, not subfolders of Deleted Items or Junk.

    If messages are not present in Deleted Items, not recoverable via Recover items deleted from this folder, and not in Junk or any other folder (including Archive/Trash at the provider), they have likely been permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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