Outlook has deleted six months of emails! Please help techies!

sallytheteamonkey

Hi

For some reason, Outlook Express 2003 has deleted all the emails in my inbox for the last six months. There are emails up til March 2010 and all since then are gone. The ones I've moved into folders are still there but not any that were in the inbox. I've checked deleted items and no luck.

Does anyone know if there's a way to get them back? It's really important as they are work emails.

Many thanks

Sally

PS am using Windows XP.

DatabaseError

don't know if this helps...

http://technofriends.in/2007/08/24/recovering-permanently-deleted-email-in-microsoft-outlook-2003-2/

sallytheteamonkey

Thanks. Is this free? I see it's $40 to buy. Is there another option?

S

DatabaseError

sorry...looked again @ that link - nothing useful there anyway..but I can't see $40?

try microsoft
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/246153

Note The fix in the “Fix it for me” section enables the Recover Deleted Items functionality on mail folders other than the Deleted Items folder, such as the Sent Items folder, the Drafts folder, the Outbox folder, and the Inbox folder. The change applies to these folders and is in effect from the time you change the setting. No deleted items are recovered when you make this change. To recover deleted items, click Deleted Item Recovery on the Tools menu.

and lots of info here
http://www.petri.co.il/using_outlook_2003_to_recover_deleted_items.htm

5bellies_2

sallytheteamonkey wrote: »

Hi

For some reason, Outlook Express 2003 has deleted all the emails in my inbox for the last six months. There are emails up til March 2010 and all since then are gone. The ones I've moved into folders are still there but not any that were in the inbox. I've checked deleted items and no luck.

Does anyone know if there's a way to get them back? It's really important as they are work emails.

Many thanks

Sally

PS am using Windows XP.

Can I confirm exactly what program you are using:

Outlook Express 2003?

It's either Outlook 2003, or Outlook Express.

If it's Outlook 2003, the emails are stored in a .pst file. In Outlook express there are individual files for each folder (Inbox, Outbox etc) with .dbx extensions.

In each case use the Search facility on the Start Menu to search for the relevant extension. Click on the options for all files and folders, and searching hidden files.

Assuming you are using Outlook Express it will find a large number of files in line with all the folders for the emails. Post back here if there are duplicate inbox.dbx files, and the locations of those files.

tightarsey

Hi it sounds like you have the Outlook Auto Archive Feature enabled
see this support post by Microsoft.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/830119

sallytheteamonkey

Thanks so much everyone. I will try searching for the .dbx files when I get home tonight. And yes it is Outlook Express, not Outlook 2003. doh!

I'll post back with my results.

Thanks again.