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How to Stop Outlook Automatically Deleting Emails from Inbox?

  Mark Regan
Mark Regan
Published: June 25th, 2025 • 6 Min Read
Have you opened Outlook and seen Outlook delete emails automatically from inbox or delete old emails after 30 days or 90 days. Many users searching for the same as Emails are getting deleted automatically in Outlook. This can lead to missing Outlook folders, communication gaps, or even data loss.

In this guide, we will explain common reasons for Outlook deleting emails automatically due to Auto Archive, email rules and deleted items settings. Whether you are using Outlook for personal and business communication. Understanding reasons is crucial to prevent data loss and learn solutions to maintain full control and stay away from Outlook Automatically Deleting Emails from Inbox.

Table of Content Hide
  1. What Are the Reasons for Outlook Deleting Emails Automatically?
  2. Auto Archive : The Silent Email Thief
  3. Rules Running Wild
  4. Junk Email Filter Misfires
  5. Deleted Items Settings and Auto-Empty On Exit
  6. Sync Issues, Account Settings or Storage Limits
  7. Add-ins, Corrupted Profiles and Third Party App Conflicts
  8. Server-Side Features and Ignore Conversation
  9. How to Repair Outlook Data File?
  10. Helpful Questions
  11. Closing Remarks

What Are the Reasons for Outlook Deleting Emails Automatically?

  • Outlook Archive feature is set to manage and delete old emails. But when it’s not configured correctly, then it can delete Outlook emails automatically from the inbox.
  • Custom rules that help to organize email can sometimes include delete action either by accident or due to outdated configuration. The server can also delete Outlook emails without notifying them in Outlook desktop client.
  • Emails marked as junk or phishing can automatically be moved to the junk folder and may be deleted after a certain time. Aggressive filters or third party add-ins can cause automatic deletion.
  • Outlook can be configured to empty the deleted items folder when the application is closed. Then it will remove permanently emails from Outlook.
  • With IMAP or Exchange Accounts, Outlook cannot connect to server can cause emails to disappear. This may result from server-side deletion, folder misalignment, or syncing delays.

Auto Archive : The Silent Email Thief

One of the most common reasons Outlook deletes emails automatically is the AutoArchive feature. Designed to cleanup old emails, it may silently move or delete them based on age or folder settings without showing any warning:

  1. Open Outlook.
    Open Outlook
  2. Click on file and tap on Options.
    Click on options
  3. Select Advanced and press on the AutoArchive feature.
    Click on Advanced
  4. Review the schedule and uncheck options like permanently deleted old items.
    Review schedule

Rules Running Wild

Emails rule help organize messages but Outlook rules not running automatically or it can cause emails to skip your inbox or get deleted Outlook emails automatically:

  1. Open Outlook and navigate to the file.
    run Outlook
  2. Click on Manage Rules and Alerts.
  3. Look for rules that include delete, Move to folder or permanently delete.
  4. Check for Side-Server rules(Visible only through Outlook Web or Exchange Admin).

Junk Email Filter Misfires

Outlook built-in spam filtering may mark valid emails as Junk. Emails in the Junk folder are usually deleted after 10 days by default.

  1. Navigate to Home and click on Junk.
    Click on Junk
  2. Click on Junk E-mail options and lower the filter level or No automatic filtering.
    Click on Junk email options
  3. Turn off auto-deletion for suspected junk or phishing messages.

Deleted Items Settings and Auto-Empty On Exit

If Outlook is configured to empty deleted items folder when exit then anything placed inside it will be erased:

  1. Navigate to file and click on Options.
    Click on options
  2. Press on Advanced and under Outlook start.
    Click on Advanced
  3. Hit Exit and uncheck the empty deleted items folder when exiting Outlook.

Sync Issues, Account Settings or Storage Limits

  1. Navigate to file and click on Account Settings.
    Click on Account Settings
  2. Tap on Account Name and press on Change.
    Click on Account Name
  3. Adjust Mail to keep the offline slider for a longer period.

Add-ins, Corrupted Profiles and Third Party App Conflicts

  1. Press Win+R and type Outlook.exe /safe.
    Type Outlook.exe /safe
  2. Press Enter to launch Outlook in safe Mode.Open Safe Outlook
  3. Now, Navigate to file and click on options.
    Click on options
  4. Hit on Add-ins and Click on COM: Add-ins and press Go button.
    Click on Add-ins
  5. Now, Select suspicious add-ins and press on Remove button.
    Remove suspicious add-ins

Server-Side Features and Ignore Conversation

  1. Outlook ignore conversation feature can automatically send entire threads to deleted items folder even future replies.
  2. Right-click on the message and select Ignore to toggle it off.
    Click on Ignore
  3. Ask your Admin to review any retention policies under Microsoft 365 compliance settings.

How to Repair Outlook Data File?

If manual approach doesn’t work then we recommend you to choose OST Recovery as it can recover individual or batch OST files and also offers 15+ saving features including PST to easily import into Outlook.

Steps to Fix Outlook Delete Emails Automatically
  1. Download and run Recommended Tool on your machine.
    Launch Outlook automatically delete emails fixer
  2. Click on Select files or folder to choose the OST file as you want to recover.
    Select OST files
  3. Browse the OST mailbox folder as you want to repair.
    Advanced scanning OST file
  4. Select PST file in the list of Saving options.
    Choose PST file
  5. Choose PST filter and destination path as needed.
    Select PST filter
  6. Tap on Repair to get a healthy OST file.
    Press repair button to solve Outlook automatically delete emails error
Key features of the Recommended Software
  • This software can also convert OST to PST, PDF, EML, MBOX and many more.
  • You can also use a simple initiative interface to make it reliable for both beginner and professional users.
  • With this wizard, you can also import OST to Microsoft 365, Lotus Notes, Zimbra and Thunderbird.
  • This software also allows you to select the mailbox folder as you want to recover.
  • It allows the restore of corrupted, dismounted, inaccessible and bigger OST files.
Helpful Questions

Why are My Outlook Emails Disappearing?

Your Outlook emails may disappear due to Auto Archive, filter, or rule settings. Server side issues or retention policies can also disappear emails from Outlook.

Why are All My Outlook Emails Going to be Deleted?

Your all Outlook emails going to be deleted due to Aggressive rules, auto-delete junk filter, or full mailbox can delete to cleanup storage in Outlook. Check deleted items and disable the empty folder when exit.

How do I Stop Accidental Deletion of Emails in Outlook?

To stop accidental deletion of emails in Outlook. Disable Auto Archive feature, check email rule, junk filter level, and disable empty deleted items folder when exit. Also avoid using ignore folder hierarchy and backup Outlook emails regularly to error detected in OST file.

Why do My Emails Randomly Delete?

Emails randomly delete due to sync issues between server or client, incorrect rules configured, or server-enforced policies. Faulty add-ins, OST corruption or filter misidentifying emails can also be deleted. Check settings and your email service providers.

Closing Remarks

In this technical write-up, we have shared several approaches to fix Outlook Automatically Deleting Emails. First try manual approaches when it does not work it means your Outlook files become corrupted. In this guide, we recommend you to choose Alternative Approach as it easily recovers bulk corrupted Outlook data in a minute. So, download it and check its working performance and other amazing attributes.