Emails are an essential communication tool in our personal and professional lives. We rely on them for important information, files, and contacts. But what happens when you accidentally delete an email and can’t find it in the trash folder? Or worse, you permanently delete an email and don’t know how to retrieve it? In this article, we will discuss how to recover permanently deleted emails.
Check the Trash Folder
Before assuming that the email is permanently deleted, check the trash folder. Sometimes, emails get accidentally deleted and end up in the trash folder. If you find the email in the trash folder, select it and click on the restore button. The email will be moved back to the inbox or the folder from where it was deleted.
Check Other Folders
If you can’t find the email in the trash folder, check other folders such as the spam folder, archive folder, or any other folder where the email could have been moved. If you have multiple email accounts, make sure you are checking the correct account and folder.
Contact Your Email Service Provider
If the email is not in the trash folder or any other folder, contact your email service provider. They might be able to retrieve the email from their backup system. Some email service providers have a recovery system in place that allows you to retrieve deleted emails within a certain time frame. Make sure to check if this option is available and if there are any fees involved.
Use Data Recovery Software
If your email service provider is unable to recover the deleted email, you can use data recovery software. Data recovery software is designed to recover deleted or lost files, including emails. There are many data recovery software available, both free and paid. Some of the popular data recovery software for emails include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Stellar Data Recovery.
To use data recovery software, download and install the software on your computer. Launch the software and select the drive or location where your email account is stored. The software will scan the selected location and show you a list of recoverable files, including emails. Select the email you want to recover and click on the recover button. The recovered email will be saved to a location of your choice.
Use Third-Party Email Recovery Services
If you are unable to recover the deleted email using data recovery software, you can use third-party email recovery services. These services specialize in recovering deleted emails and have advanced tools and techniques to retrieve the deleted emails.
Some of the popular third-party email recovery services include Kroll Ontrack, SalvageData Recovery, and Data Recovery Group. These services offer a free consultation and evaluation of your case, after which they will provide you with a quote for the recovery process. The recovery process can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the case.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
While it is possible to recover permanently deleted emails, it is always better to prevent them from being deleted in the first place. Here are some tips to prevent accidental deletion of emails:
* Enable the “confirm before deleting” option in your email account settings.
* Regularly backup your emails to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.
* Avoid using the “delete all” option and instead select the emails you want to delete.
* Create folders to organize your emails and avoid deleting important emails accidentally.
How to Recover Permanently Deleted Emails on Specific Email Platforms
Different email platforms have different methods of recovering permanently deleted emails. Here’s how to recover permanently deleted emails on some popular email platforms:
a. Gmail
If you use Gmail, you can recover permanently deleted emails from the Trash folder within 30 days. After 30 days, the emails are deleted permanently from the server. To recover deleted emails from the Trash folder, follow these steps:
* Open the Trash folder.
* Select the email you want to recover.
* Click on the “Move to” icon and select the folder where you want to move the email.
If the email is not in the Trash folder, you can check the Spam or All Mail folder. If you still can’t find the email, you can seek help from Gmail support.
b. Outlook
If you use Outlook, you can recover deleted emails from the Deleted Items folder within 14 days. After 14 days, the emails are moved to the Recoverable Items folder, where they can be recovered within 30 days. To recover deleted emails from the Deleted Items folder, follow these steps:
* Open the Deleted Items folder.
* Select the email you want to recover.
* Click on the “Move” button and select the folder where you want to move the email.
If the email is not in the Deleted Items folder or the Recoverable Items folder, you can contact Outlook support for assistance.
c. Yahoo
If you use Yahoo Mail, you can recover deleted emails from the Trash folder within 7 days. After 7 days, the emails are deleted permanently from the server. To recover deleted emails from the Trash folder, follow these steps:
* Open the Trash folder.
* Select the email you want to recover.
* Click on the “Move” button and select the folder where you want to move the email.
If the email is not in the Trash folder, you can check the Spam folder. If you still can’t find the email, you can contact Yahoo support for assistance.
How to Prevent Permanently Deleting Emails
Preventing the permanent deletion of emails is crucial, especially if you receive important emails that you cannot afford to lose. Here are some tips on how to prevent permanently deleting emails:
1. Create Folders to Organize Your Emails
Creating folders to organize your emails can help you avoid deleting important emails accidentally. You can create folders for different categories of emails, such as work-related, personal, and newsletters.
2. Backup Your Emails Regularly
Backing up your emails regularly can help you recover deleted emails easily. You can backup your emails to an external hard drive, cloud storage service, or another email account.
3. Enable the “Confirm Before Deleting” Option
Having this option in your email account settings can help you avoid deleting emails accidentally. This option will prompt you to confirm before deleting an email.
4. Use Filters to Automatically Organize Your Emails
Utilizing filters to automatically organize your emails can help you avoid deleting important emails accidentally. You can create filters to automatically move emails to specific folders based on the sender, subject, or keywords.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, recovering permanently deleted emails is possible, but it requires the right tools, techniques, and patience. Always check the Trash folder and other folders before assuming that the email is permanently deleted. Contact your email service provider and use data recovery software or third-party email recovery services if necessary. And remember, prevention is better than cure, so take steps to prevent accidental deletion of emails.