In this blog I will provide you with exactly 3 solutions to recover missing Outlook folders. Sometimes unintentionally or accidentally Outlook folders get disappeared. Or perhaps your folder is missing due to some other reasons. There can be a case in which your folder has been permanently trashed from Outlook. And now you have lost all your crucial data with valuable information. Well, don’t worry! You have landed in the right place. I am going to help you to find your missing Outlook folders containing important items.
CAUTION: You cannot find the permanently lost folder and recover it. But with manual methods, you can recover items present in that missing folder. But as a technical person, I would advise you not to touch your Outlook data files. Unless if you are a technical expert as well. Because most of the time I have seen people tend to use the wrong commands. Which overwrites your data files. Then, in that case, you cannot recover any missing Outlook folder even by using any high-end software. However, manual methods have been mentioned for your knowledge.
I am going to provide an automated solution using the “Outlook Deleted Items Recovery” Tool. Then, we are also going to discuss manual solutions to retrieve all your disappeared folders in MS Outlook. Suppose your Outlook folder contains important data. Then you should use a software solution to recover missing Outlook folders instead of manual solutions.
What Is All In This Article?
- The solution to recovering Outlook folders from ‘Deleted Items’ or ‘Trash’
- A solution to retrieve missing Outlook folder from the server
- Software solution to recover disappeared Outlook folders
Know How To Recover Missing Outlook Folders & Its Items
There are 2 manual ways to restore disappeared Outlook folders. I have also provided a software solution to recover missing Outlook folders. You can try any of these methods. If manual methods fail you can download the dedicated software for missing Outlook folder recovery.
Find a Missing Outlook Folder Using Search
One of the quickest and simplest ways you can try out is searching an email you know exists inside your lost folder.
- Step 1: Open the MS Outlook application and click on the Search Bar at the top
- Step 2: Search for subject, keyword, or sender from an email stored in your missing Outlook folder
- Step 3: Now, open the email that appeared in the search results
- Step 4: Lastly, press Ctrl + Shift + F to view the folder path to identify the folder containing that email
Upon following all the given instructions, if Outlook displays the folder location, that means the folder still exists and is most likely hidden or moved instead of deleted.
Retrieve the Lost Outlook Folder From the Server
The second scenario can be that your Outlook folder is missing from the Delete Item folder. You must have emptied your Deleted Item folder or trashed a folder from it, or simply you have shift+delete a folder. Then, in this case, you have to recover accidentally deleted Outlook folder from the server. There is a hidden folder that keeps your Outlook items and folders up to its retention period.
- Step 1: Click ‘Deleted Items’ in your E-mail folders list
- Step 2: Select ‘Home’ then, click ‘Recover Deleted Items From Server’
- Step 3: Choose an item to restore, click ‘Restored Selected Items’ & then, ‘OK’
You can find your recovered item in the ‘Deleted Item’ folder. From there you can move that item to another folder.
NOTE: If you don’t find the Recover Deleted Items From Server folder. Then your account do not have server support.
Recover Missing Outlook Folders Using Software
But if your Outlook does not have server support as well. Then there is no way to retrieve disappeared Outlook folder items manually. You have to take the help of software.
Given tool to recover Outlook folders is the best software present in the market which safely recovers missing Outlook folders. This software comes with various functionalities. This helps you to retrieve all the folders in the same order as they were before and easily export them.

Advantages of Having This Software
When it comes to missing Outlook folder recovery, this tool offers you a variety of amazing functionalities. Also, it can retrieve Outlook folders from 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, and 2000 Microsoft Outlook versions. Some of them are listed here:
- You can recover lost user-created folders from Outlook data files.
- Easily export the recovered Outlook folder into the desired format.
- This tool helps you maintain folder hierarchy.
- Can avoid restoring empty folders.
- Option to ignore system folder.
Recommended Tool For Mac OS Users
To recover the missing Outlook folder in the Mac envoierment, Try the Mac Outlook Recovery Tool. The tool can easily recover the missing folders from Mac Outlook OLK14, OLK15, and OLM files.
How To Use the Software to Find Outlook Folders
Here are given 4 steps to recover the missing Outlook folder:-
Step-1: Download and run the software on the Windows system and the home screen will appear like this.

Step-2: Upload Outlook data files and run scanning

Step-3: View all lost items appearing on the Preview Grid

Step-4: Select & restore the desired Folder in your system

Conclusion
In this blog, we have discussed how to recover missing Outlook folders. First, we have discussed the manual ways to retrieve lost Outlook folder items from the Deleted Item / Trash folder. And hard deleted folders from Recover Deleted Items From Server. If all the given methods fail then we can recover lost or disappeared folders from Outlook using a special software. This software is compatible with all Outlook versions like 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and 2003.
This tool can restore data from corrupted data in Outlook files. It will recover all lost Outlook files and folders efficiently. This software does Raw scan that is it will scan Outlook files bit-by-bit. It is the best tool currently present in the market to recover Outlook PST/ OST/ BAK data files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I retrieve a lost folder in Outlook?
Ans. Yes, you absolutely can! Start by searchiing for emails stored in the folder, checking the folder list view, reviewing the Deleted Items Folder, and expanding the folder pane. However, if these manual solutions do not work for you, repair PST file with a dedicated solution from SysTools.
Q2. Why are my Outlook folders missing after update?
Ans. This is because some Outlook updates temporarily affect Naviagtion Pane settings and mailbox synchronization. To tackle this, refresh your mailbox, restart Outlook, verify account synchroniation, and reset the Navigation Pane before you attempt more advanced methods.
Q3. Why should I go for a software solution to recover the missing Outlook folder?
Ans. The non-technical person might make a mistake and give a wrong command. Which can overwrite your data. Then you will not be able to recover your Outlook folder. Even with the help of software.