Data Recovery Digest

Deleting an important email message is amongst the most common mishaps associated with the Internet, and it happens to us all at one point or another. Thankfully, most software developers have included an array of features within their software in order to safeguard against such accidents. Moreover, some developers, such as Microsoft, even have processes in place to recover files that you have already deleted or otherwise lost, including important email messages, key personal contacts and crucial appointment reminders.

Outlook 2013 / 2010

Many consumers using Microsoft's proprietary Outlook application are doing so with the 2010 software release, which offers an incredibly convenient method of recovering lost information, including deleted email messages, lost contacts and missing notes. Click on the "Folder" tab and then navigate to "Recover Deleted Items." If this option doesn't exist, verify you have properly logged in and that you have selected a folder within that account.

Next, simply locate the deleted message you wish to recover and click "Recover Selected Items." Multiple items can be selected by holding "Ctrl" as you click each individual message, which saves you the hassle of manually restoring each and every piece of email.

It is important to note that the system administrator is able to control the retention time for deleted items, so erased messages may not be available for restoration after a specified timeline. If the desired email message does not appear within the "Deleted" folder, then your file will require third-party intervention, such as external software, to restore. Some files, even after third-party software or intervention, may not be recoverable at all.

Outlook Web Access

Microsoft's Outlook Web Access, also known as the Outlook Web App, is a web-based email client that allows you to access email messages within a Microsoft Exchange Server or Microsoft Office 365 software suite. As with Outlook 2013 and 2010, recovering a deleted message is a rather straightforward process, though OWA does maintain a limit on the number of emails that can be recovered within a specific timeline.

To recover a file using Microsoft Outlook Web Access, connect to your Exchange mailbox using the latest version of Internet Explorer as your Internet browser. Click the "Options" tab next to your name in the upper right corner of the screen, and click the "Deleted Items" link that appears on the left of your screen. Doing so loads up a list of previously deleted emails, which allows you to select individual messages for recovery. Once a message is selected, click "Recover to Deleted Items Folder" in order to restore the erased message.

A number of unique features exist when using Microsoft's OWA to facilitate an email recovery. This includes the ability to search through your previously deleted emails, organize messages by date and even create brand new recovery folders. It is important to note that the email recovery feature does not apply to child accounts, thus ensuring parents that deleted emails are gone from their children's accounts permanently. It is also important to note that these services are only available to Internet Explorer users.