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Can I retrieve deleted emails? Is it possible to retrieve a deleted email? I would also like to find sent emails. We presume that you are using Outlook Express. In Outlook Express, messages are stored as records in a database, not as individual files. This means that they cannot be restored from the Recycle Bin or undeleted using Norton UnErase or similar file recovery utilities. Deleted mail messages are moved to the Deleted Items folder, which is another database file created to act as a Recycle Bin for mail messages. However, once they have gone from there, they are not recoverable. In the same way, sent messages may be moved to the Sent Items folder, but once you clear that folder they are gone for good. You can choose how Outlook Express handles deleted and sent mail messages. Open Tools, Options and check that it deals with these messages in the way you want. On the Maintenance tab, if the option 'Empty messages from the Deleted Items folder on exit' is selected, it will clear the Deleted Items folder whenever you close Outlook Express. This will not give you much time to have second thoughts about deleting a message. If you don't select this option you'll have to remember to clear out this folder manually from time to time. On the Send tab you need to select 'Save copy of sent messages in the Sent Items folder' if you want to retain copies of messages you've sent.
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